Place and belonging in Northern Ireland: evidence from ARK’s public attitude surveys

Place and belonging are vitally important in Northern Ireland (NI), with the social conflict of the region highlighting how place can be highly contested and segregated. Despite the progress made, there remain key questions when considering place and belonging: what is Northern Ireland as a geographical and political entity, and is it accepted by all? The Together: Building a United Community' (T:BUC) Strategy, (2013) reflects the aim of the NI Executive in improving community relations, and working towards a shared society. However, this assumes that local people feel a sense of belonging and influence on debates at the local and wider political level. This is particularly pertinent given the re-instatement of the NI Assembly and Executive in February 2024, which necessitates political and civic buy-in and support for its successful functioning. Geographers define regions as social and mental constructs which are often culturally defined (Schlemper and Panozzo, 2020), with identity and boundaries having spatial and historical dimensions. While places provide a sense of belonging and security to those who claim membership of them, physical and social boundaries are often contested, resulting in the politicisation of belonging, especially in times of perceived threat (Yuval-Davis, 2006). This is exemplified in NI, with contested narratives of nationhood.This study examines sense of belonging and influence within two arenas: Northern Ireland, and the local neighbourhood. Logistic regression analyses explored how belonging and influence are impacted by identity (religious and national), and attitudes and experience of residential, workplace and educational mixing and segregation. The analysis utilised data from two annual cross-sectional public attitude surveys undertaken by ARK (Northern Ireland’s social policy hub): the Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey of adults and the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey of 16 year olds. The study focused on data from 2013 to 2023.