Prof John O'Brennan

    Sociology, Centre for European and Eurasian Studies, Social Sciences Institute (MUSSI)

    Professor
    Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration

    TSI Building
    2nd Fl
    2.17
    (01) 708 6554

    Biography

    I am a Professor within the Department of Sociology. I also hold the Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration and am the Director of the Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies which is a designated Jean Monenet Centre of Excellence (2020-23). My work focuses on European Union institutions and politics, and, specifically on the process and politics of the EU's Enlargement policy. I also work on Ireland's relationship with the European Union and am currently finishing a monograph which examines Ireland's experience of EU membership over 50 years since accession in 1973. 

    I am a board member and Vice-President of the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies (IACES) and a member of the Irish government's Brexit Stakeholder Group since 2017. I am also a member of the Irish Institute for European and International Affairs' 'Global Europe' group. Previously, I worked as a Lecturer in European Union Politics at the University of Limerick (2001-2007) after holding Irish Research PhD and Post-Doctoral awards. I was also a Visiting Fellow at the European Union Institute for Security Studies in Paris (2005) and an Open Society lecturer in Politics at the Varna Economics University in Bulgaria (2000-2001).

    I contribute regularly to national and international media on European Union issues, including Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, BBC News, The Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, and The Irish Times, LBC radio, Newstalk, Open Democracy, RTE Radio, RTE Television, Sky News, Today fm, Virgin News Media, and many other outlets.

    My recent research work also encompasses a focus on the Societal impact of Gambling in Ireland and Europe. I am co-PI (with my colleague, Prof Aphra Kerr and Dr. Paul Kitchen of Ulster University) on a new (2022-24) project examining the impact of gambling advertising on Young people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (YouGamSi). This project is funded by the HEA's 'Shared Island' scheme.

    Research Interests

    Research interests include the process and politics of European Union enlargement; the EU's relationship with the Western Balkans and prospective enlargement to South Eastern Europe; EU-Ukraine relations and Ukrainian politics; EU-Russian relations; the dynamics of EU external relations; constructivist theories of International Politics; and the identity dimension to European integration. I am also very interested in Ireland's experience of European integration, its relationship with the European Union and the challenges presented to Ireland by the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

    Book

    Year Publication
    2023 John O' Brennan (2023) Ireland and the European Union 1973-2023: from the margins to the centre of Europe?. Dublin: Publishing contract being negotiated.
    2007 O’Brennan, J. and Raunio, T. (2007) National Parliaments within the Enlarged European Union: from ‘Victims’ of Integration to Competitive Actors?. : Routledge.
    2006 O’Brennan, J (2006) The Eastern Enlargement of the European Union. : Routledge.

    Edited Journal Issue

    Year Publication
    2019 Mary C. Murphy; John O’Brennan (2019) Ireland and EU Crisis Governance: Continuity and Change in the Shadow of the Financial Crisis and Brexit (Special Issue). [Edited Journal Issue] [Link] https://doi.org/10.1080/07907184.2019.1687621
    2014 Murphy, M.C; O'Brennan, John (2014) Reflections on Forty Years of Irish Membership of the European Union (special issue). [Edited Journal Issue] [Link]

    Peer Reviewed Journal

    Year Publication
    2023 John O' Brennan (2023) ''Stuck between the EU Rock and UK hard place: Northern Ireland as a liminal space after Brexit''. Space and Polity, 27 (3).
    2023 O' Brennan, John (2023) 'On Europe’s Coming of Age’ by Louisa Tsoukalis, Review Article'. Society, 60 (5). [Link]
    2023 O' Brennan, John (2023) 'Ireland and the European Union after 50 years of Membership, Review Article'. Journal of European Integration, 45 (5). [Link]
    2022 John O' Brennan (2022) ''This is who he is: the sociopathic violence that defines Vladimir Putin''. DUBLIN REVIEW OF BOOKS, (142). [Link] [Full-Text]
    2021 John O' Brennan (2021) ''Stuck in the Middle with EU (and the UK): How Ireland navigates its relationships with the EU and UK post-Brexit''. JOURNAL OF CROSS BORDER STUDIES IN IRELAND, 16 (1). [Full-Text]
    2019 Rees, N; O' Brennan, J (2019) 'The dual crisis in Irish foreign policy: the economic crash and Brexit in a volatile European landscape'. Irish Political Studies, 34 :595-614. [DOI]
    2019 O’Brennan J. (2019) 'Requiem for a shared interdependent past: Brexit and the deterioration in UK-Irish relations'. Capital and Class, 43 (1):157-171. [DOI]
    2014 John O'Brennan and Mary C. Murphy (2014) '‘Ireland and the EU at 40: Pragmatic Incrementalism, Differential Policy Convergence within a Transformative European Landscape’, in ‘Reflections on Forty Years of Irish Membership of the European Union’, Special Issue'. Administration, 62 . [Full-Text]
    2014 O'Brennan J. (2014) ''On the slow train to nowhere?' The European union,'Enlargement Fatigue' and the Western Balkans'. European foreign affairs review, 19 (2):221-241.
    2014 John O'Brennan (2014) '‘In from the Cold: Ireland and the Quest for accession to the European Communities’'. DUBLIN REVIEW OF BOOKS, 60 . [Link] [Full-Text]
    2009 O'Brennan J. (2009) 'Ireland says no (again): The 12 june 2008 referendum on the lisbon treaty'. Parliamentary Affairs, 62 (2):258-277. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2009 O'Brennan, J; Gassie, E (2009) 'From stabilization to consolidation: Albanian state capacity adaptation to European Union rules'. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 11 :61-82. [DOI]
    2014 O' Brennan, John (2014) '‘Going cold on further expansion: EU ‘enlargement fatigue and the Western Balkans’'. European foreign affairs review, 18 . [Full-Text]
    2008 O’Brennan, J (2008) 'The EU in the western Balkans: Statebuilding as Empire? A Rejoinder to Professor David Chandler’, , Volume 22, Number 4, October, pp.507-18'. Global Society, 22 :507-518. [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) 'EU-Deja vu: Ireland's No to Lisbon’'. THE FEDERALIST DEBATE, Volume XXI :5-11. [Full-Text]
    2006 O’Brennan, J (2006) 'Bringing Geopolitics back in: Exploring the Security Dimension of the 2004 Eastern Enlargement of the European Union'. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 19 :155-169. [Full-Text]
    2004 O’Brennan, J (2004) 'Ireland’s National Forum on Europe: Elite Deliberation meets Popular Participation'. Journal of European Integration, 26 :167-182. [Full-Text]
    2003 O’Brennan, J (2003) 'Gaining Consent to the European Constitution – Lessons from the Irish Referendum Experience'. THE FEDERALIST DEBATE, XV :6-10.
    2003 O’Brennan, J (2003) 'Ireland's Return to ‘Normal’ EU Voting Patterns: The 2002 Nice Treaty Referendum'. European Political Science, 2 :5-14.
    2002 O’Brennan, J (2002) 'EU Enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe: The Normative Dimension'. PERSPECTIVES ON CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, 1 :163-186.
    2002 O’Brennan, J (2002) 'Enlargement as a Factor in the Irish Referendum on the Nice Treaty'. PERCEPTIONS: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, VII :74-94. [Full-Text]

    Book Chapter

    Year Publication
    2023 John O' Brennan and Mary C. Murphy (2023) ''Ireland and the European Union: 50 years of 'Europeanisation'' In: Politics in the Republic of Ireland. London : Routledge.
    2023 O' Brennan, John (2023) '‘Ireland and EU Enlargement’, in Enlargement and the Future of Europe: views from the capitals' In: Enlargement and the Future of Europe: views from the capitals. Berlin : Trans European Policy Studies Association. [Link]
    2023 Murphy, M.C.; O’Brennan, J. (2023) 'Ireland and the European Union' In: Politics in the Republic of Ireland. [Link] [DOI]
    2022 O' Brennan, J. (2022) '‘Ireland and the European Union: from the economic periphery to the centre of the integration process over 50 years’, in Ireland and the EU at 50' In: Ireland and the EU at 50. London : Quartet Books. [Link]
    2021 John O' Brennan (2021) 'Ireland and European Governance’' In: The Oxford Handbook of Irish Politics. Oxford : Oxford University Press. [Link] https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/38172 [Full-Text]
    2021 O’Brennan, J. (2021) 'Ireland and European Governance' In: The Oxford Handbook Of Irish Politics. [Link] [Full-Text]
    2016 John O'Brennan (2016) '‘Ireland and the European Union in the Shadow of Austerity’' In: Euroscepticism and Survival of the European Integration Project in Small member States. Riga : Latvian Institute of International Relations/ Frederich Ebert Stiftung.
    2015 O'Brennan, J (2015) ''Greening' the European Union? The Europeanisation of European Union environment policy' In: CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABILITY: LINKING POLITICS, EDUCATION AND LEARNING. BRISTOL : POLICY PRESS.
    2014 O'Brennan, John (2014) '‘The EU Enlargement Process after 1989: Actors, Institutions, and Literature’' In: Wolfgang Mueller(Eds.). Handbook of the 1989 Revolutions. London : Austrian Academy of Sciences. [Full-Text]
    2014 O'Brennan, John (2014) '‘Greening the European Union? The Europeanization of EU Environment Policy' In: Atkinson, H and Wade, R(Eds.). The Politics of Sustainability: linking politics, education and training. London : Policy Press.
    2014 O’Brennan J. (2014) '‘Greening’ the European Union? The Europeanisation of European union environment policy' In: The Challenge of Sustainability: Linking Politics, Education and Learning.
    2013 O'Brennan, John (2013) '‘Enlargement Fatigue and its impact on the Enlargement Process in the Western Balkans’' In: Brunet, L.A(Eds.). The Crisis of EU Enlargement. London : London School of Economics IDEAS series. http://www.lse.ac.uk/IDEAS/publications/reports/SR018.aspx
    2013 O'Brennan, John (2013) ''The European Commission, transnational Advocacy and civil society in the Western Balkans’' In: Bojicic Dzeliovic, V, Kostovicova, D. and Ker-Lindsey, J(Eds.). Civil Society and Transitions in the Western Balkans. Basingstoke : Palgrave MacMillan. [Full-Text]
    2012 O'Brennan, John (2012) ''Government and Parliament’' In: Door, N., Tonra, B. and Kennedy, M. (eds)(Eds.). Foreign Policy in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin : Royal Irish Academy.
    2010 O'Brennan, John (2010) '‘Ireland and the European Union: Mapping Domestic Modes of Adaptation and Contestation’' In: John Hogan, Paul F. Donnelly and Brendan K. O'Rourke(Eds.). Ireland: Business and Society:Governing, Participating & Transforming in the 21st Century. Dublin : Gill and MacMillan. http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/economics/economics/irish-business--society [Full-Text]
    2007 O’Brennan, J. and Raunio, T. (2007) 'National Parliaments within the EU: Finally Learning to play the game?' In: O’Brennan, J. and Raunio, T(Eds.). National Parliaments within the Enlarged European Union: from ‘Victims’ of Integration to Competitive Actors?. Abingdon : Routledge.
    2007 O’Brennan, J. and Raunio, T. (2007) 'Introduction: Deparliamentarization through European Integration?' In: O’Brennan, J. and Raunio, T(Eds.). National Parliaments within the Enlarged European Union: from ‘Victims’ of Integration to Competitive Actors?. Abingdon : Routledge.
    2005 O’Brennan, J (2005) 'The National Forum on Europe' In: Holmes, M(Eds.). Ireland and the European Union Post-Nice. Manchester : Manchester University Press.
    2003 O’Brennan, J (2003) 'Gaining the Consent of EU Citizens: the Constitutional Ratification Problem facing the European Union' In: Karasinska-Fendler, M(Eds.). Enlargement and EU Constitution-Building. Lodz, Poland : European Institute.
    2001 O’Brennan, J (2001) 'A Social Constructivist Perspective on Enlargement' In: Levrat, N. and Willa, P(Eds.). EU External Capability and Influence in International Relations. Geneva : Instiut Europeene de l'Universite de Geneve and ECPR.
    2001 O’Brennan, J (2001) 'Ireland and the EU: 25 Years of Membership' In: Yaminova, Y(Eds.). Europe: Globalization and Regionalization. Bulgaria : Scholle Press.

    Other Journal

    Year Publication
    2018 John O' Brennan and Michael Toomey (2018) ''The rise of populism on the Danube and Vistula'' RTE Brainstorm, . [Link]
    2012 O' Brennan, John (2012) '‘Bulgaria: the end of innocence’' Open Democracy, 23 July 2012 . [Full-Text]
    2012 O'Brennan, John and O' Riain, S. (2012) '‘Ireland (and Europe) in Crisis: the Fiscal Compact, the Referendum and the future of European Integration, Contribution to the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the Fiscal Treaty' Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, na . [Full-Text]
    2011 O' Brennan, John (2011) '‘A Europe of Judges’' Social Journal Europe, 5 July 2011 . [Full-Text]
    2008 Dr John O'Brennan (2008) '‘Периодический научный журнал: Право и Политология' Georgian Journal of International Affairs, 4 :6-13.
    2008 Dr John O'Brennan (2008) 'Ireland’s Plan to Resurrect the Lisbon Treaty to be Unveiled at Brussels Summit’' CEPS Commentary, Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels :2-3. [Full-Text]
    2002 Dr John O'Brennan (2002) '‘The Need for a Code of Conduct and the Regulation of Members’ Interests’' Interim Report of the IACDD and OSCE Review of the Parliamentary Procedures of the Republic of Serbia, OSCE/IACDD :64-72.
    1998 O’Brennan, J (1998) 'EU Enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe: Why the Revolution in Numbers Requires an Institutional Revolution' University of Limerick Political and Economic Review (ULPER), 3 :155-176.

    Conference Contribution

    Year Publication
    2021 Kerr, Aphra; O'Brennan, John, Vazguez Mendoza, Lucia (2021) The [Deep] Mediatisation of Gambling in Ireland and the Individualization of Harms Sociological Association of Ireland annual conf, Atomised Solidarities, Together Apart online, 07/05/2021-08/05/2021.
    2011 Professor Boris Kolonitskii (2011) Images of the Russian Imperial Family during World War European University, St. Petersburg, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2011 Dr. James Ker-Lindsay (2011) Kosovo: possible solutions to an unresolved problem London School of Economics and Political Science, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2011 Professor Tom Gallagher (2011) Romania and Bulgaria inside the EU: the limits of Solidarity University of Bradford, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2011 Professor Brendan Simms (2011) The Bosnian Intervention in Retrospect Peterhouse College, University of Cambridge, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2010 (2010) ‘EU Enlargement and the space for Civil Society’ Council of Europe conference on Moldova Istanbul, .
    2010 Dr. Donnacha O' Beachain (2010) 'A Tale of Two Revolutions: Kyrgyzstan 2005 and 2010' Dublin City University, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2010 Professor Johannes Paulmann (2010) 'Welfare without borders? On the entangled history of German social policy in the Cold War era German Historical Institute, London, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2010 (2010) ‘Ireland and Europe: Adaptation and Contestation’ SUNY/UL Model European Union University of Limerick, .
    2010 Dr. Neil Robinson (2010) Is Russia a Democracy? (discussant( University of Limerick, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Professor Iskander Gilyazov (2009) Writing History in 21st Century Russia Kazan State University, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 (2009) ‘The Western Balkans and the EU: from ‘badlands’ to the promised land? CEUROS, UL University of Limerick, .
    2009 Dr Klemens Büscher (2009) Minority Conflict Prevention in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia OSCE HCNR, The Hague, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Professor Jadwiga Staniszkis (2009) The End of Polish Communism and its Aftermath Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Professor Catherine Wanner (2009) The Future of Disbelief: Religion and Secularization in Eastern European Borderlands Penn State University / Humboldt University Ber, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 (2009) ‘The Lisbon Treaty and the Mediterranean’ EUROMED Valetta, Malta, .
    2009 Professor Andrew Cottey (2009) After the Georgia War: European Security and the Former Soviet Space’ UCC, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 (2009) ‘Ireland’s Lisbon Trauma’ Linfield College Winter School Limerick, .
    2009 Dr.Neil Robinson (2009) Te Oil Problem in Russian Politics University of Limerick, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Dr. Virginie Vate (2009) Conversion to Evangelical Christianity in Chukotka (Russia): Individual or Collective? CNRS,Paris, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Dr.Paul Luif (2009) The Cohesion of the EU in Foreign Policy Matters: How Do Austria and Ireland Fit in?” Austrian Institute for International Affairs, Vienna, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Dr.Umut Kurkut (2009) Could More Reform Lead to Stalemate? Dilemmas of Economic Europeanization in Hungary UCD, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Dr. Adam Drazin (2009) Decision to Live: Domestic Material Culture and Intentionality among Irish Romanians TCD, Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe, .
    2009 Dr Ignác Romsics (2009) 'The Birth of the 3rd Hungarian Republic and its international context: 1987-1990' Károly Esterházy College, Eger, Hungary , Social Sciences, Centre for the Study of Wider Europe and Department of History NUIM, .
    2007 (2007) ‘Ireland and EU Membership: Lessons for Bulgaria as a Newly Acceded State’ Varna Economics University Varna, Bulgaria, .
    2007 (2007) ‘The future of EU Enlargement Policy’ Department of Foreign Affairs Ljubljana, Slovenia, .
    2007 (2007) ‘The EU and the Western Balkans: Quo Vadis? Varna Economics University Varna, Bulgaria, .
    2007 (2007) ‘Ireland as an Accession Exemplar’ Fundacja Instytut Studiów Wschodnich Wroclaw, Poland, .

    Published Report

    Year Publication
    2021 Barry Colfer and John O' Brennan (2021) 'Ireland Report: Sustainable Governance in the Context of the Covid 19 crisis'. Bertelsmann Stiftung, . [Link]
    2021 Kerr, Aphra; O'Brennan, John, Vazguez Mendoza, Lucia (2021) Gambling Trends, Harms and Responses: Ireland in an International Context. Maynooth University, . [Link]
    2020 Kerr, A., O Brennan, J. and Mendoza Vazquez, L. (2020) 'Gambling: identifying International trends, approaches and responses. MURAL, .
    2018 John O' Brennan (2018) 'EU Enlargement to the Western Balkans: towards 2025 and Beyond'. Irish Institute for European and International Affairs, . [Link]
    2013 John O' Brennan (2013) ‘Enlargement Fatigue and its impact on the Enlargement Process in the Western Balkans’. London School of Economics (LSE IDEAS), . [Link]
    2008 O’Brennan, J (2008) Ireland and Lisbon: Quo Vadis? CEPS Policy Brief No. 175. Centre for European Policy Studies Policy Brief, . [Link]

    Book Review

    Year Publication
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) Review of Beate Sissenich, Building States without Society: European Union Enlargement and the Transfer of EU Social Policy to Poland and Hungary. [Book Review] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, J (2008) Building States without Society: European Union Enlargement and the Transfer of EU Social Policy to Poland and Hungary. CAMBRIDGE: [Book Review] [Full-Text]
    2007 Dr John O'Brennan (2007) Review of Sonia Lucarelli and Ian Manners (eds), Values and Principles in European Union Foreign Policy, Abingdon: Routledge. [Book Review]
    2007 O'Brennan, John (2007) Review of Osamu Idea (ed.) Beyond Sovereignty: From Status Law to Transnational Citizenship? Hokkaido: Slavic Research Centre. [Book Review] [Full-Text]
    2006 Dr John O'Brennan (2006) Erik Oddvar Eriksen (ed), Making the European Polity: Reflexive Integration in the EU. Abingdon: Routledge. [Book Review] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-9299.2006.00115_4.x/full
    2006 Dr John O'Brennan (2006) ‘Eastern Enlargement of the EU: Conditionality, Europeanisation and Expansion’, Review of recent volumes by Neil Nugent (ed.), European Union Enlargement, and Frank Schimmelfennig and Ulrich Sedelmeier (eds), The Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe. [Book Review]
    1999 Dr John O'Brennan (1999) Neil Collins (Ed.), Political Issues in Ireland Today, in Irish Political Studies, Volume 14, pp.174-6. [Book Review] http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07907189908406607

    Editorial

    Year Publication
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) Reflections on a Second Irish Lisbon Referendum’. [Editorial] [Full-Text]

    Magazine Article

    Year Publication
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) Recession will be the wild card in second Irish Treaty referendum’. [Magazine Article] [Full-Text]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) ‘Ireland’s next crisis could be over referendum power’. [Magazine Article]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) ‘A Europe of Judges’. [Magazine Article] [Full-Text]
    2010 O'Brennan, John (2010) ‘Ireland's Existential Crisis: a contrary view’. [Magazine Article] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘Kosovo: the Hour of Europe’. [Magazine Article] [Full-Text]

    Newspaper Articles

    Year Publication
    2021 John O Brennan (2021) 'Brexit is fuelling tensions in Northern Ireland'. [Newspaper Articles] [Link]
    2021 John O Brennan (2021) 'Member states must share blame for handling of Covid Crisis'. [Newspaper Articles] [Link]
    2016 Prof. John O'Brennan (2016) The Western Balkan Tinderbox’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2015 Prof. John O'Brennan (2015) ‘Catastrophic tactical error by David Cameron’, 18 May 2015. [Newspaper Articles]
    2015 Prof. John O'Brennan (2015) Bosnian-type deal not a solution for Syria’, 30 December 2015. [Newspaper Articles]
    2014 Prof. John O'Brennan (2014) ‘Putin’s actions in Ukraine threaten to alter the entire security architecture in Europe’, 1 September 2014. [Newspaper Articles]
    2014 Prof. John O'Brennan (2014) ‘Corruption still dominates political landscape as Bulgarians go to the polls’, 3 October 2014. [Newspaper Articles]
    2013 Murphy, Mary and O' Brennan, John (2013) Fiscal and Economic Crisis a crisis of Engagement (28 November 2013; http://www.irishexaminer.com/analysis/fiscal-and-economic-crisis-a-crisis-of-politics-and-engagement). [Newspaper Articles]
    2013 O' Brennan, John (2013) ‘Bulgaria: citizens against the mafia’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2013 O' Brennan, John (2013) Will Europe end at Croatia? (30 June 2013; http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-consequences-of-the-eu-s-enlargement-fatigue-by-john). [Newspaper Articles]
    2013 O' Brennan, John (2013) The Spirit of Protest in Brazil and Turkey is now in Bulgaria (25 June 2013; http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/25/turkey-brazil-bulgaria-protest). [Newspaper Articles]
    2013 O' Brennan, John (2013) The Success of the EU’s Eastern Enlargement debunks current fears (19 January 2013; http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/19/success-eastern-eu-enlargement-debunks-fears). [Newspaper Articles]
    2013 O' Brennan, John (2013) EU Unity is little more than fiction in the wake of Cyprus being hung out to dry (29 March 2013; http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/eu-unity-cyprus-ireland-848806-Mar2013/). [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, John (2012) ‘Referendum or no, the fiscal treaty should go to the Supreme Court’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, John (2012) ‘Treaty threatens to widen democratic deficit in EU’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, J and Titley, G. (2012) ‘Now it is Ireland’s turn to reject the austerity fantasy’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, J. and Titley, G. (2012) ‘Ireland’s opportunity to reject impossible fantasy of austerity’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, John (2012) ‘Coalition warned to put effort into Yes vote’ (5 April 2012; http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0405/1224314389095.html). [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, John (2012) ‘EU Won’t treat Irish as Greeks if they vote No’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2012 O' Brennan, John (2012) ‘Alliances with Israel and US made Bulgaria Target’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) Do we need a referendum? (18 December 2011; http://www.businesspost.ie/). [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) A Trend toward Empowerment of the EU’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) ‘Una Europa de Jueces’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) European Integration: a trend toward the empowerment of the EU’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) ‘Mladic arrest brings Serbia Closer to EU’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2011 O'Brennan, John (2011) Legal Crisis looming for European Project’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2011 O' Brennan, John (2011) Ireland has done what the EU Wanted so where’s the reward?. [Newspaper Articles]
    2009 O'Brennan, John (2009) Irlanda Decide otra vez’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2009 O'Brennan, John (2009) Anxious EU's Future at stake. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘La Opción de Serbia’. [Newspaper Articles]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) Ireland must vote on whether we remain a member of the EU?. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘Alte Kräfte drängen Serbien in die Isolation’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘Serbia to Choose EU Orbit or Isolation’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘Will Ireland say Yes to Lisbon?. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘The Irish Think Again about the Lisbon Treaty’. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2005 O'Brennan, John (2005) `EU Offer Would Boost Reform in Turkey?. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]
    2004 O'Brennan, John (2004) Kosovo: Can Sharing of Power Ever Work. [Newspaper Articles] [Full-Text]

    Technical Publication

    Year Publication
    2002 O’Brennan, J (2002) The Need for a Code of Conduct and the Regulation of Members’ Interests. [Technical Publication]

    Working Paper

    Year Publication
    2008 O'Brennan, John (2008) ‘Ireland's Plan to Resurrect the Lisbon Treaty to be Unveiled at Brussels Summit. [Working Paper] [Full-Text]
    2020 Vazquez-Mendoza, Lucia; Kerr, Aphra; O'Brennan, John (2020) Gambling: Identifying international trends, approaches and responses. Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland: [Working Paper] [Link] [Full-Text]

    Gov. Report or Document

    Year Publication
    2012 O'Brennan, John and Sean Ó Riain (2012) Ireland (and Europe) in Crisis: The Fiscal Compact, the Referendum, and the Future of European Integration. [Gov. Report or Document]

    Other Publication

    Year Publication
    2019 Murphy, M.C.; O’Brennan, J. (2019) Ireland and crisis governance: continuity and change in the shadow of the financial crisis and Brexit. [Link] [DOI]
    Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

    Honors and Awards

    Date Title Awarding Body
    01/03/2022 Shared Island North-South Research programme HEA
    01/01/2015 Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration
    01/01/1999 Civic Education Forum Visiting Fellowship, Bulgaria
    01/01/2018 Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration European Commission
    01/01/2004 IRCHSS Government of Ireland Post-Doctoral Fellow
    01/01/2014 Visiting Professor, Varna University of Economics
    01/01/2005 EU Institute for Security Studies Visiting Fellowship
    01/11/2020 Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Erasmus Plus
    01/01/2015 Jean Monnet Teaching Module European Commission
    31/01/2020 Gambling in Ireland and Europe Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute
    01/01/1999 IRCHSS Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

    Committees

    Committee Function From / To
    MU Commemorations Committee Committee Member 01/08/2018 - 28/02/2022
    Brexit Advisory Group Board Member 01/01/2017 - 28/02/2022
    All Island University Committee on Brexit Maynooth University representative 01/09/2016 - 01/05/2022
    Maynooth Alumni Board Board Member 01/09/2011 - 31/08/2018
    International Affairs, Royal Irish Academy Member 01/09/2011 - 30/09/2019

    Consultancy

    Client Description
    European Commission Reviewer for EU Horizon 2020 programme on EU Sustainable development
    European Commission Rapporteur for Horizon 2020 Western Balkans research project evaluation
    Bertelsmann Stiftung Research and authorship on major study of Ireland's response to the Covid pandemic
    Department of Justice Research consultancy on calculating the value of the gambling market in Ireland
    Brussels European Employee Relations Group (BEERG)
    Bertelsmann Stiftung Research and authorship of annual study of implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    Editorial / Academic Reviews

    Amount Role From / To
    Journal of Contemporary European Studies Reviewer -
    Debatte Reviewer -
    Political Studies Reviewer -
    Cambridge Review of International Affairs Reviewer -
    Journal of European Public Policy Reviewer -
    Slavic Review Reviewer -
    Journal of International Relations and Development Reviewer -
    Journal of Southeast European and Black Sea Studies Reviewer -
    Irish Political Studies Reviewer -
    Jcms-Journal Of Common Market Studies Reviewer -
    Journal of European Integration Reviewer -

    Outreach Activities

    Organisation Type Description
    European Parliament Ambassadors Schools Civic Society Presentation on rule of law within the EU for second level teachers participating in the EPAS programme. [Link]
    Local Government Management Agency Civic Society Production of Pamphlet on Ireland's membership off the European Union [Link]
    Europe Direct Civic Society Lecture tour - European Parliament elections in Ireland 2014 [Link]
    Conference on the Future of the EU Civic Society Advisor and presenter for 2021-22 EU 'Citizens Assembly' on the future of the EU [Link]

    Teaching Interests

    I teach European integration, EU Politics and International Relations. This includes modules on the European Union institutions, EU policies and policy-making, theories of International Relations and Ethnic Conflict in Europe and the Wider World. The total number of students taking these modules is greater than 200. 

    I also oversee a one week fieldtrip to the European Union in Brussels. This trip introduces Maynooth University students to the 'coalface' of EU governance in Brussels and encompasses visits to the Commission and European Parliament and the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels and the Northern Ireland office. It also includes visits to World War One sits in Flanders, including the Menin Gate; the Africa Museum in Terveuren and the House of European History. Students meet MEPs and participate in a role play of an actual EU negotiation process. 

    My teaching encourages active learning including regular interaction with public policy practitioners, enabling students to ‘encounter the real world’ of political decision-making. In addition to the Fieldtrip in Brussels  I also lead student fieldtrips to the Oireachtas and facilitate student participation in radio and television programmes.     In 2015 I received a Jean Monnet Teaching Award from the European Commission worth €30,000 (in addition to a Jean Monnet Chair). 

    At postgraduate level, I primarily supervise students working on European Union and international politics themes. 

    I have taught 15 BA and 6 MA courses, and co-taught on another 4 MA/PhD programmes. My approach is resolutely student-facing and emphasizes interaction and reflexivity as core components of undergraduate education and the delivery of appropriately defined learning outcomes and supportive feedback.