This is the first in a series of three events from the ESRC-funded project ‘Apologies, abuses and dealing with the past: A socio-legal analysis’.

Using Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as a case study, the event will explore the relationship between apologies, abuses and dealing with past harms across three topics (paramilitary violence, institutional child abuse and the economic crisis). In contrast to existing research on apologies, this seminar focuses on the views of apologisers, victims and the general public.

We will begin with an overview of our approach to this work. The first draft of our universal template for the construction of a ‘legitimate’ apology will then be circulated, with a chance for group discussion and anonymous feedback.

One of the key aims of this stakeholder seminar is to inform further detailed empirical research in this area.

For further information and to register, please email Dr Anna Bryson at Queen’s University Belfast.