Understanding how Ireland works
Launching January 2027
Over the years, my work has taken several forms. Marshall on Policy has explored public policy, governance and the institutions that shape our lives. Brief Me, now about to relaunch, has focused on making information clearer, more accessible and easier to understand.
As these projects developed, a common theme emerged: the importance of context. Events, decisions and debates rarely speak for themselves. To understand what is happening, we need to understand the relationships, assumptions, histories and perspectives that surround them.
That is the idea behind ConTXT.
Launching in January 2027, ConTXT will be a new publishing project examining how people, organisations and institutions make sense of the world around them. It will explore how decisions are made, why reasonable people can reach different conclusions, and how a deeper understanding of context can make meaningful change possible. At its heart, CONTXT is guided by a simple question:
How does Ireland work?
By looking closely at the places, organisations, communities and systems that shape public life, CONTXT aims to uncover connections that are often hidden in plain sight. It is not about taking sides. It is about understanding. More information will be announced in the coming months.
David Marshall
Augst 2026