James Nelson, member of the Centre for Shared Education, and Rebecca Loader, University of Cambridge and former Centre member, have appeared before the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Committee to deliver an oral briefing on their research project, Religion and Worldviews Education for All.

During the session on 15 April 2026, the researchers presented findings from a representative survey of the Northern Ireland population, outlining public attitudes towards the teaching of religious education in primary schools. Alongside the survey data, Nelson and Loader drew on qualitative research with members of minority faith and belief communities, as well as primary school teachers, to illustrate lived experiences of religious education. These accounts provided insights into both the opportunities and challenges faced by schools in meeting the needs of pupils from different religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Members of the Committee questioned the researchers on how their findings relate to the current curriculum review process in Northern Ireland, as well as on the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgement concerning freedom of religion and belief and the Northern Ireland Core Syllabus for Religious Education. Nelson and Loader addressed how research evidence might inform future policy and curriculum development in this area. The full recording of the Committee session is available via Northern Ireland Assembly TV.

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