Biography

Research Interests

I am interested in peacebuilding in deeply divided societies, particularly the role of post-conflict power-sharing in fostering peace and democracy. My work covers Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Iraq. My work has been published as several monographs (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015), (Palgrave Macmillan 2012, with David Galbreath), an edited volume (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013, with Brendan O'Leary) and articles in journals including Cooperation and Conflict, Democratization, Government and Opposition, Ethnopolitics, Journal of European Integration, Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, Security Dialogue, and Nationalism and Ethnic Politics.

I am presently working on two research projects that explore the diversity of voices on constitutional change in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland post-Brexit (2020-21), funded by the Irish Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (with Professor Jennifer Todd and Dr Dawn Walsh, University College Dublin).  Though some call for Irish unity, others are radically opposed to change, and still others are unsure about what a new, shared Ireland might look like.  Our research seeks to ‘map’ the diversity of voices, to understand who these other groups are, how they approach the emerging constitutional debate, and how they would wish to participate in any future deliberative process.

I was previously Co-Investigator (with Dr Allison McCulloch, Brandon University, Canada) on an Insight Development Grant funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2017-2019). The project investigated the normative and instrumental reasons why third-party mediators turn to power-sharing strategies during peace negotiations. We published our findings as  journal articles in Cooperation and Conflict and the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, as well as policy papers and conference presentations.

Research Overview

• Ethnic Conflict and Peace Processes
• The role of International Organisations in Post-Conflict Peace-Building
• Power-Sharing in Deeply Divided Places
• Minority Rights in Europe

Current Research

I am presently working on two research projects that explore the diversity of voices on constitutional change in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland post-Brexit (2020-21), funded by the Irish Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (with Professor Jennifer Todd and Dr Dawn Walsh, University College Dublin).  Though some call for Irish unity, others are radically opposed to change, and still others are unsure about what a new, shared Ireland might look like.  Our research seeks to ‘map’ the diversity of voices, to understand who these other groups are, how they approach the emerging constitutional debate, and how they would wish to participate in any future deliberative process.

I was previously Co-Investigator (with Dr Allison McCulloch, Brandon University, Canada) on an Insight Development Grant funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2017-2019). The project investigated the normative and instrumental reasons why third-party mediators turn to power-sharing strategies during peace negotiations. We published our findings as  journal articles in Cooperation and Conflict and the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, as well as policy papers and conference presentations.

Funding and Grants

The External Governance of Power-Sharing Settlements, Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Co-Investigator, 40,000 CAD)

Designing Good Governance in Two Post-War Societies (Bosnia and Lebanon) (£6,000, Scottish Funding Council)

UN-EU Cooperation in Peacebuilding, Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland (May to July 2013; £1,880)

Teaching Responsibilities

• War and Peace in International Politics (4th year undergraduate)
• Introduction to Politics and International Relations (1st year undergraduate)
• MSc International Relations