Prize for researchers behind Northern Ireland General Election Study

A research team led by the University of Liverpool has won the Political Studies Association's Pippa Norris Prize for its 'Outstanding contribution to advancing knowledge in political studies'.

The University has led each ESRC-funded Northern Ireland general election study since 2010. The study provides a robust examination of the attitudes of Northern Ireland's electors at the general election across the key issues at that contest. This is important not only as a snapshot but as part of longitudinal data, allowing researchers access to data which provides a clear guide to the extent of change or immobilism in Northern Irish politics.

The current host team comprises Professor Jon Tonge (Department of Politics), Professor Peter Shirlow and Dr Sean Haughey (both Institute of Irish Studies), with co-investigators based at the London School of Economics and Queen's University Belfast.

Professor Jon Tonge from the Department of Politics said: "I am delighted that the Political Studies Association of the UK has recognised the contribution of the ESRC Northern Ireland General Election study, run by the University of Liverpool since 2010. The Pippa Norris Prize is one of the Association's most prestigious awards.

"The judges cited the very wide range of impacts of the study, with its findings used by the British and Irish governments, the Northern Ireland Office and the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, as well as a broad range of media outlets, in addition to providing REF impact case studies."

Pippa Norris is Professor of Politics at Harvard University.

Pictured receiving their award at the Political Studies Association annual conference at Oxford University are (rear) Professor Tonge and Dr Haughey, along with (front) Professor Katy Hayward (QUB) and Dr Paul Mitchell (LSE).