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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 PhD thesis focused 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 thesis suggested 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 kin-state 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.

 

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, in conjunction with Jesper Lindqvist at the University of Gothenburg, I am also 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 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. Through my role in the ELECT project, I have also gained considerable experience in designing survey experiments, with a particular focus on conjoint experiments. 

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My research has been published in a variety of academic journals, including West European PoliticsParty Politics, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 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. 

Education

2018 - 2022

Trinity College Dublin

PhD Candidate.

Supervisor: Dr. Emanuel Coman

Thesis title: Choose Your Target Wisely: How the EU Influences the Use of Nationalism by Political Parties.

2017 - 2018

Trinity College Dublin

Masters of Science in International Politics. 

Grade: Distinction. 

Thesis title: Render Unto Whom? The Modern Cosmopolis and Expanding Spheres of Moral Obligation.

2013 - 2017

Trinity College Dublin

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Sociology.

Major: Political Science.

Grade: First. 

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Awards, Scholarships and Grants

  • 2023: Awarded the Irish Research Council's Postdoctoral Fellowship, but declined it to join the ELECT project. 

  • 2019: Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship

  • 2018: Ussher Award (TCD)

  • 2017: Patrick Keatinge Prize (TCD), which is awarded annually to the best Political Science student. 

  • 2015: Foundation Scholarship (TCD)

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