Dr Katy Hayward is a political sociologist with a particular focus on conflict/post-conflict transitions. Her research is actively interdisciplinary, traversing fields of border studies, conflict studies, European studies, and Irish studies. This means that she is particularly well-placed to speak to the implications of Brexit for the island of Ireland, and Northern Ireland in particular. Indeed, she has written and presented widely on this matter, and has given evidence before parliamentary committees in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. She is one of the leading political sociologists of the island of Ireland (e.g. co-ed. Dynamics of Political Change in Ireland  , 2017), with a high profile in relation to European integration (e.g. co-ed. The Europeanization of Party Politics in Ireland , 2010), political violence (e.g. co-ed. Nationalism and Organised Violence , 2013), and the application of discourse analysis (e.g. co-ed. Political Discourse of Peace and Conflict , 2009).

Abstract:

This paper presents the findings from the ‘Bordering on Brexit study’ led by Dr Hayward on behalf of the Irish Central Border Area Network, which gathered the views of those on both sides of the border regarding Brexit. The paper considers the degree to which these perspectives have been taken into account in the approach taken to Brexit by policymakers at local and national levels. It looks in particular at the Joint Report agreed by the EU and UK negotiators on 8th December and assesses whether it constitutes firm reassurance on Ireland/Northern Ireland issues, especially for those living and working in the border region.