About

I am currently an ERC Fellow in Politics at University College Dublin, working on the Moral Agency in Election Campaigns (ELECT) project. I previously completed my PhD in Trinity College Dublin. My research focuses on how the EU influences the different forms of nationalism utilised by political parties. Contrary to the common understanding of the EU's role, my research suggests that, rather than a backlash to EU integration resulting in forms of nationalism related to the central state (e.g., anti-immigration or anti-ethnic minority rhetoric, or external exclusiveness appeals focused on ethnic kin or territory in neighbouring countries) becoming more salient in party discourse, the EU instead discourages these forms of nationalism and incentivises parties to focus on other forms of identity, especially at the sub-national level.

 

In addition to this main research agenda, I also research and publish on party politics and election campaigns more broadly, and Irish politics. In particular, I have published on the competition between radical right and green parties, and various elections in Ireland. Currently, I am working on three additional research projects. Firstly, I am examining how parties respond to low information environments during election campaigns with Sinéad C. M. Harrington. Secondly, in conjunction with Stefanie Sprong, I am researching the relationship between anti-immigrant attitudes and radical right voting, with a special focus on why Ireland has no successful radical right party. Finally, in conjunction with Jesper Lindqvist, I am examining whether there really is a transnational cleavage emerging in Europe, or if EU integration is instead a cause of shifts in existing cleavage structures. 

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Methodologically, I am comfortable using a wide variety of approaches, depending on the precise question to be answered and theory to be tested. I have published research using statistical models, quantitative text analysis, and qualitative process tracing. As part of qualitative process tracing, I have also developed a strong expertise in the use of elite interviews, and have managed to interview high-level Irish politicians (including government ministers) as part of my research. 

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My research has been published in a variety of academic journals, including West European Politics, Party Politics, and Irish Political Studies. In addition, my PhD research  was funded by the Irish Research Council. 

 

My teaching experience strongly reflects this research agenda, as I have taught both undergraduate and Masters modules on the EU, Irish and Northern Irish politics, and party politics.