Dr Charles O’Sullivan presented at the launch of the first of its kind All-Island Social Security Network (AISSN) organised by the School of Law, Ulster University on the 6th of December. The event was titled ‘Social Security on the Island of Ireland: Current Challenges and Future Opportunities.’
Dr O’Sullivan presented alongside Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick as co-founders of the network. Their presentation identified how their successful collaboration as part of the ARINS Project organised by the Royal Irish Academy, which detailed the challenges in comparing the welfare systems on both sides of the border, highlighted a need for greater collaboration on comparative social security issues. It also set out the future direction for the AISSN. The event was funded via a Social Policy Association Opportunity Grant and with the support of Ulster University.
The AISSN brings together researchers from academia and civil society to conduct and disseminate engaged research on social security in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It includes academic researchers from Maynooth University, Ulster University, University College Cork, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Edinburgh and is entirely interdisciplinary in outlook.
Dr O’Sullivan is currently a member of the steering committee of the AISSN and it is anticipated that the Network’s first annual conference will be held at Maynooth University in the summer of 2024. The AISSN plans to hold at least two events per annum across the island of Ireland.