‘Governance after Brexit’ is major research programme conducted over the past five years into fundamental issues thrown up by the UK’s changing relationship with the European Union. This conference brings together leading academics supported by the programme to discuss their research findings with policymakers and commentators. It will range across the impact of Brexit on migrants and migration, its ramifications in Northern Ireland and its consequences for identities, social attitudes and public opinion. The conference will explore the causes and consequences of a generationally significant episode of recent UK history. You will also have a chance to hear a keynote from Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council.
Conference Agenda
9:30 – 10:15 Keynote
Introduction: Dan Wincott – Governance after Brexit
Keynote: Stian Westlake – Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Chair: Anand Menon – UKICE
10:15 – 11:30 Panel 1: Brexit, migrants and migration
The ending of free movement was seen by both major parties as central to Brexit. It has had significant impacts on individuals who used pre-Brexit free movement rights, on the UK labour market, and on broader UK migration policy. This panel explores these impacts and the wider economic consequences.
Chair: Catherine Barnard – University of Cambridge; UKICE
Panellists:
• Charlotte O’Brien – University of York [download slides]
• Nando Sigona – University of Birmingham [download slides]
• Kezia Tobin – The 3 million
• Ian Robinson, Vialto
11:30 – 12:00 Break
12:00 – 13.15: Panel 2: Brexit and Northern Ireland
Brexit challenged Northern Ireland’s position in the UK, as well as the relationship between Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. This panel brings together experts and commentators who have explored the economic and political consequences of Brexit for Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Chair: Jill Rutter – UKICE
Panellists:
• Michael Gasiorek – University of Sussex [download slides]
• David Phinnemore – Queen’s University Belfast [download slides]
• David Sterling – Former Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service
• Mary C. Murphy – University College Cork
13:15 -14:15 Lunch
14:15 – 15:30: Panel 3: Street-level Brexit
Brexit focused political attention on the UK’s regional inequality. ‘Levelling up’ appeared as the solution to the problems of ‘the left behind’, raising questions such as those around how people feel about where they live, as well as opportunities and promises for change. This panel discusses the changes people expected from Brexit and the impact they think it has had.
Chair: Jill Rutter – UKICE
Panellists:
• Tamara Hervey – City, University of London [download slides]
• Matthew Wood – University of Sheffield
• Adrian Favell – University of Leeds
• Anoosh Chakelian – New Statesman
15:30 – 16:00 break
16:00 – 17:15 Panel 4: Brexit – what did people want?
How has the public responded to the choices, dilemmas and trade-offs posed by actually delivering Brexit? Has the process changed political affiliations, loyalties and identities in Britain? What about people’s hopes and expectations about how democratic politics should now work? This panel examines how public attitudes have changed since Brexit.
Chair: Anand Menon – UKICE
Panellists:
• Sara Hobolt – London School of Economics [download slides]
• Meg Russell – University College London [download slides]
• John Curtice – University of Strathclyde; National Centre for Social Research; UKICE
• Sophie Stowers, UKICE