A researcher from Keele University Business School was recently invited to a prestigious reception by the Irish Ambassador to take part in a discussion panel and launch her latest book. 

Dr Kathryn Simpson, Associate Professor in Politics and Economics of the European Union, was invited by Ireland’s ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, to present her work at the Embassy of Ireland in London.  

The reception was held as part of the Irish Government’s celebrations of Ireland’s 50 years in the EU, with Dr Simpson joining distinguished guests on a panel at the event including EU Ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, and CEO of European Movement Ireland, Noelle O Connell. 

Dr Simpson also launched her latest book at the event, “Nationalism in Internationalism: Ireland’s Relationship with the European Union”, which charts the history of Irish-EU relations in the years of the financial crisis and Brexit, as well as how Irish national identity has been affected by its status as a member of the EU. 

Dr Simpson said: “It was an honour and privilege to be invited by Ambassador Fraser to the Irish Embassy in London to take part in such a prestigious event and discuss my research on Ireland – EU relations.  

“While Brexit has given public prominence to Ireland – EU relations since 2016, Ireland’s relationship with the EU goes far beyond Brexit; Ireland has evolved politically, economically and socio-culturally as a member state of the EU since it joined in 1973.  

“There is now a new Ireland, one which has become European. But both Ireland and the EU will continue to evolve as both move on from Brexit.”