Research in PPA

The Department of Politics and Public Administration has a very active research culture, with an emphasis on research that makes a positive contribution to society. Members of the department publish regularly in leading journals in the disciplines of Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, and Development. The department hosts a weekly seminar series, where staff and graduate students from the department, along with invited speakers from other universities, present their research. We welcome applications from PhD and postdoctoral researchers whose interests align with members of our department, and we provide a range of supports to help researchers secure funding.

Our research is directly linked to three of the core research priorities of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, namely: Social Justice; Environmental Sustainability; and Democratic Resilience.

Research Expertise

Faculty members have a broad range of expertise, covering all of the main areas of the discipline. Our primary areas of research are listed below:

Faculty Member	Main Research Field(s)	Areas of expertise
Maura Adshead	Irish Politics, Community Research
Jonathan Arlow	Comparative Politics, Irish Politics	Party politics; radical left; far right; federalism; unemployment policy; policy agendas
Bernadette Connaughton	Public Administration	Public administration; Europeanisation; Executive Triangle (Ministers, Civil Servants, Advisers); environmental policy and public administration
Rory Costello	Comparative Politics, Political Behaviour	Elections and voting; coalition governments; election pledges; EU and European politics; political representation
Emma Dolan	International Relations	Peace and Conflict Studies; Feminist and Queer theory; Gender-based Violence; Critical Military Studies; transitional justice
Patrick Doyle	Irish Politics, Community Research, History	Co-operative political economy; moral economy; religion and politics; economic development; Irish political history; intellectual history; capitalism and Ireland
Scott Fitzsimmons	International Relations	Foreign policy; conflict; security; mercenaries and private military and security companies
Frank Haege	Comparative Politics, EU Politics	Legislative politics; party politics; multilateral negotiations; historical political economy; German political development
Conor Little	Comparative Politics, Public Policy, Irish Politics	Party politics; policy agendas; environmental and climate policy; energy policy; transport policy
Chris McInerney	Public Administration
Brian Milstein	Political Theory	Politics of crisis; emergency powers; capitalism and democracy; critical social theory
Nita Mishra	Development Studies	Human Rights-based approaches to development governance; Gender & Empowerment; Food governance; Arts-based qualitative research methodologies.
Neil Robinson	Comparative Politics	Russian politics; post-Soviet politics; politics of transition and revolution.
Andrew Shorten	Political Theory	Multiculturalism; linguistic justice; religion and political theory; self-determination.
Owen Worth	International Relations	International Political Economy; IR Theory; World Order; Hegemony; Politics of Resistance and Transformation

Funding Opportunities

Postdoctoral Research

The department welcomes postdoctoral researchers seeking to further their research careers.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships

When to apply: 9 April 2026 – 9 September 2026 for awards commencing in September 2027

The Department provides extensive supports to strong candidates seeking to apply for a Marie Sklodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (Deadline Sept 9 2026). These fellowships support researchers holding a PhD to carry out their research activities abroad, and include a generous salary and research budget, as well as mobility and family allowances. Interested applicants are encouraged to make contact with a potential supervisor well in advance of the application deadline.

Each year, usually in May, the University of Limerick offers a (funded) masterclass programme to support applicants. Travel bursaries to UL are available for selected candidates, as well as opportunities to participate online for those unable to attend in person. If you are interested in attending, you should first make contact with a potential supervisor within PPA. The deadline for applications usually falls at the end of March.

Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

When to apply: expected deadline October 2026 for awards commencing in September 2027

We welcome applications under the Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme from suitably qualified applicants who have completed PhDs in Ireland or overseas. Interested candidates should contact a potential mentor within the department before applying. Please visit our Staff page for details of the research expertise of members of the department. Please check your eligibility for the programme prior to contacting a potential supervisor.

Postgraduate Research

Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

When to apply: expected deadline October 2026 for awards commencing in September 2027

We welcome applications from prospective PhD students under the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme. Interested candidates should contact a potential supervisor within the department before applying. Please visit our Staff page for details of the research expertise of members of the department. Please check your eligibility for the programme prior to contacting a potential supervisor.

AHSS postgraduate research scholarship and fee waivers

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) often announces funding calls for PhD fee waivers or scholarships. Please check back for updates.