RENPET residency at at University College Dublin (UCD)
Andrea Christou is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh in the department of Politics and International Relations. Her research focuses on the relationship between citizens and elites in the making of EU foreign policy with a particular focus on citizen involvement in decision-making processes in the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland.
Between October and December of 2023, I completed a research stay at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) at University College Dublin (UCD) through a RENPET-funded bursary. The residency allowed me to advance and complete my research on Irish foreign policy as part of my broader PhD project. It also offered me a unique opportunity to meet with Irish foreign policy-makers and experts whom I interviewed to further develop my PhD research, and to advance my knowledge of Irish foreign policy.
During my research stay at SPIRe, I had the pleasure of being supervised by Professor Ben Tonra, who not only shared his expertise and knowledge on Ireland’s EU membership and Irish foreign policy, but also provided me with feedback and fresh insights into my case study on Ireland. I am grateful to Professor Tonra for his supervision and for so kindly helping me in my search for Irish foreign policy experts to interview which allowed me to further my investigation.
My time at SPIRe was complemented by a variety of scholarly activities such as PhD workshops and a Seminar series held weekly with other PhD students, early-career researchers and academic staff where I had the opportunity to learn more about their research and the most recent developments and innovations in other fields of research beyond my own. In addition, these activities created a safe space for everyone to exchange ideas and provide feedback that could help advance one’s work, but also presented the potential for future collaborations amongst participants.
At UCD, I also had access to the facilities, including the PhD student room, the library and the printer, which I frequently made use of. In particular, the shared PhD space at SPIRe not only gave me a space to continue my studies, but it also enabled me to integrate into the PhD community and feel a sense of belongingness away from my home university. Beyond sharing our PhD research and experience, my peers and I connected at an interpersonal level and made long-lasting connections. I am grateful for the PhD students as well as staff at SPIRe for welcoming me like their own.
During my research stay, I was also able to connect SPIRe PhD students with the Europa Postgraduate Research Group, a group that I am convening at the University of Edinburgh where students present their research and exchange ideas on EU and European studies, thereby broadening our academic network. Moreover, outside of UCD, I was also able to connect with experts and organisations in the field of Ireland’s EU membership. For example, I was invited to attend the EU Assembly at European Movement Ireland where discussions were held on Ireland’s priorities for the new European Parliament in 2024. Importantly, this opportunity allowed me to gain insight and first-hand experience into the various dialogues and deliberations amongst citizens that exist in Ireland which is an integral part of my PhD research.
My research stay at UCD has been invaluable for my PhD project as well as my personal and professional development. It provided me with the necessary feedback and resources to finish the final chapter of my PhD, but it also allowed me to make professional connections with other researchers and build friendships away from home. I am grateful to RENPET and UACES for this opportunity and I will make sure to make others aware of these opportunities in the future.