Scope Articles

Restoring our woods: the mind boggling challenge ahead

4 Sep 2020

Climate scientists and governments across the globe agree that key to tackling climate change is planting more trees.

Lockdown babies: how Covid-19 has impacted infants and their parents

2 Sep 2020

Today’s babies and infants are having a peculiar – and challenging – start to their lives. It has affected their behaviour, wellbeing and likely their development. They and their parents need more support.

Fund raising: brilliant innovation in the face of adversity

28 Aug 2020

The many charities who rely on corporate and individual donations and charity shops for much of their revenue were left reeling when Covid-19 hit.

The fallout from Covid-19 will squeeze communities in a time of need

25 Aug 2020

It is unsurprising – but still disappointing – that the pandemic could force the work done by charities shrink while demand for that work rises.

The economy, the doughnut, and the myth of eternal growth

21 Aug 2020

One of government’s most pressing concerns is to get life back to normal. Critical to that is returning the economy to growth.

Is Northern Ireland ready to go back to school?

17 Aug 2020

The local R number is above one, which is a potential disaster given schools are supposed to open their doors in a week or two. Renewed restrictions elsewhere could be needed.

End the dithering: time to fix social care

14 Aug 2020

When the history of the pandemic comes to be written the most disturbing chapter of all will be devoted to the plight of the old and the vulnerable.

Education relies on pupils’ mental health

11 Aug 2020

Local children will soon be back at school. Catching up on education is vital – but so is pupils’ mental health. Scope looks at a new report from Barnardo’s NI that gathered evidence from teachers and other education staff.

The impact of COVID-19 and educational attainment in NI

7 Aug 2020

Sean McKay, former Director of Audit at the NI Audit Office argues that the status quo is not an option for our education system when schools return.

The economy: the long, hard road ahead

7 Aug 2020

It will take Northern Ireland’s economy between four and five years to recover from the Covid-19 economic crash, according to an Ulster University report released this week.

Covid-19 and our young people: Don’t. Look. Down.

Don't. Look. Down. Oblivion - image by by Carlos Delgado; CC-BY-SA

5 Aug 2020

The pandemic has highlighted many economic weaknesses. A terrible downturn is inevitable, and young people will be worst affected. Throw in other factors, like climate change, and new thinking seems necessary.

Why Boris needs to join up the dots on obesity

31 Jul 2020

It may have been a giant leap for Boris Johnson, but his plans to help us lose weight are but a small step in the battle against obesity.

Staycations, beaches – and millions of pieces of plastic

A seal tangled with plastic near Rathlin Island

28 Jul 2020

Northern Ireland’s coastlines are beautiful. They are also strewn with litter. We all need to think about plastic waste.

On Kindness: rediscovering human nature

24 Jul 2020

What if the spontaneous outbreaks of kindness which have been such a feature of the pandemic were shown to be a true reflection of the human condition, not just a response to a crisis?

Should Northern Irish children sit transfer tests this year?

21 Jul 2020

Covid-19 has left children out of school. Parents are petitioning for academic selection to be significantly delayed - or simply cancelled - for the coming year.

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