Living with the neighbours: the UK, the EU and wider Europe

The proposed programme investigates the re-ordering of relations between the EU, the UK and other European states, following Brexit. It addresses two priority areas stated in the call: UK-European relations and the impact on relationships with third countries; and EU-member state relations.

The research takes the form of three closely connected projects, which build on ongoing research on the EU-UK negotiations and their aftermath undertaken as part of the PI's current UKICE Fellowship:

The first examines the formal relationship between the EU and the UK, as defined by the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Since the UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020, the relationship has been tense, conflictual, and volatile. This project will monitor, examine and explain the approaches adopted by the two sides, how they are framed, and what drives them. It will look at the key actors on each side, and their relative influence in decision making. The project will examine potential flashpoints, and preparations in advance of key milestones, including the reviews foreseen by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The second project compares UK-EU relations with the EU's relationships with other third countries in the European neighbourhood. As well as the terms of those relationships, it looks at their political dynamics, investigates the machinery put in place by governments to manage relations with the EU, and considers whether the UK's departure from the EU has affected approaches on both sides to relations between the EU and European states that do not aspire to EU membership.

The third project investigates the bilateral agreements that the UK has signed with individual European states. It considers the scope, type and content of these agreements, and assesses the UK's bilateral strategy and ambitions. It also examines what the UK's partners and other European states want and expect from relations with the UK.

All three projects synthesize existing knowledge, but undertake new research where necessary. As well as the analysis of primary documentation, it envisages extensive interviewing with key decision-makers, stakeholders, and informed observers in the UK, Brussels, and other European capitals. It will build on the PI's network of contacts, developed over a career of researching the EU, as well as his previous experience as an ESRC Senior Fellow, and PI of 'Negotiating Brexit', which investigated the Article 50 negotiations. The research programme will draw on the expertise of a twelve-member cross-national EU-UK Observatory ('EUNO'), which will provide a regular review of EU-UK relations and offer essential insights from European capitals.

Findings from the research will be communicated to national and international academic communities through the publication of a monograph and journal articles, international conferences, research seminars and other events. With an ambitious plan of engagement and knowledge exchange activities, the project will produce and disseminate informed analysis, exchange knowledge and achieve impact through a variety of channels and outputs that will meet the demand from the public, as well as the more specialist requirements of other research users, including parliamentarians, and thereby advance the UKICE's mission to provide an authoritative and independent reference point for high-quality research-based information. Outputs will be made available via the project website and 'UK in a Changing Europe' to ensure the lasting impact of the research The dissemination programme includes regional, national and international events, public lectures, and talks to sixth formers, as well as panel participation. As Senior Fellow, I will work closely with the UKICE Director and UKICE Fellows, to participate in panels and other events, contribute to publications, and coordinate engagement with decision makers and parliamentarians