Dr Adrian Kavanagh

    Geography

    Deputy Head of Department, Lecturer / Assistant Professor

    Rhetoric House
    2nd Floor
    6
    (01) 708 6014

    Biography

    A native of Co. Laois, Adrian Kavanagh is a lecturer at the Maynooth University Department of Geography. He currently holds the position of Deputy to the Head of Department within the Geography Department, while he also administers/organises the Final Year (Double Honours) research project programme (the GY310B module).
    The modules that he currently teaches on (or has taught on in the past) include the GY347 Electoral Geography, GY305 Approaches to Human Geography GY227 Political Geography, GY613 Elections and Geography and GY327 Environmental Politics modules, as well as the GY609 (MA in Geography) Thesis Preparation module and the GY310B module.  
    He was elected on to the University's Academic Council as a representative of the Faculty of Social Science in May 2016 and remained a member of Academic Council until the end of his term in Summer 2019.
    He was elected President of the Geographical Society of Ireland in May 2018 and held this position for the next two years (until May 2020). He then took up the position of Vice President of the Geographical Society of Ireland and held this position until May 2021. 
    His main research interests focus on the geography of elections. In relation to this, he has a blog site/website (www.adriankavanaghelections.org) which offers some of his insights from his electoral geography researches. He also researches the Eurovision Song Contest (voting patterns, geopolitics) and some of this research has been published on his other research blog site/website (www.adriankavanagh.com). He can be followed on Twitter (@adriankavanagh), where he tends to disseminate some of his most recent research findings/work, amongst other things, to the wider public.      

    Research Interests

    My research interests focus on the area of Political Geography, but particularly the geography of election contests/campaigning - with a specific focus on the geographies of voter turnout and of candidate selection and the processes shaping the (re)drawing of election boundaries and the impacts of changing electoral boundaries. I'm also interested in the geographical/geopolitical dimensions of the Eurovision Song Contest, with a specific focus here on the geography of that contest's voting patterns (public vote/televote and jury voting). 
    Areas that I currently do research on, or have researched in the past, include:
    Political Geography
    Geography of Elections
    Eurovision Song Contest: Geopolitics and Voting trends
    Political Geographies of Sporting/Cultural Events
    Geography of Political Conflict
    Census Geographies

    Research Projects

      Project Role Funding Body / Program Description Start Date End Date Award (€)
    GOI Scholarship for William Durkan: Electoral Participation in the Republic of Ireland: Political disengagement and Spaces of Neglect in the Current Political System. PI Irish Research Council (IRC) / Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Political participation is widely viewed as a measure of the health or legitimacy of any given democratic state. (Lijphart, 1997). The final decades of the twentieth century saw a decline in political participation across much of the European Union, which has been identified as a potential cause for concern. The Republic of Ireland also saw much change in this period, with segments of a disenfranchised electorate being re-mobilised during the recent period of austerity. This change, however, is not uniform across space. This project seeks to analyse voter turnout trends at a range of scales, namely ED and SA level, in order to determine the driving factors which influence areas of change, and outline possible policy implications as a result of this. Political participation in the Irish context is a subject which is often under analysed, and as a result, often neglected, despite the potentially negative implications of unequal, or unfair, participation. Unequal participation can potentially lead to unequal representation, unequal service provision, and as a result of large portions of a disenfranchised and neglected population, the rise of political candidates with more extreme views. Current administrative policy, such as the national representation level and Constituency Commission practices are analysed in order to determine their impact on this trend in General and Local Elections from 2004-2016. This project uses a geographical lens to determine the extent to which socio-economic and demographic factors, identified in existing literature, influence participation trends. The correlation of this data at ED and SA scales allows for other factors, such as geographical location, service provision, and administrative policy to be taken into account. Exploratory data analysis has identified large portions of the population at ED and SA scales which are seen to abstain from voting, contrary to their relevant socio-economic and demographic status. 01-OCT-18 30-SEP-20 48000

    Post Doctoral Fellows/Research Team

      Researcher Name Project Role Funding Body
    William Peter Durkan Election Geography research Postgraduate student
    Claire Frances Mc Ging Election Geography research Postgraduate student
    Caoilfhionn Anne D'Arcy Election Geography research Postgraduate student

    Books

      Year Publication
    2014 The Eurovision Handbook 2014.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) The Eurovision Handbook 2014. : Adrian Kavanagh/Lulu.com. [Details]
    2013 The 2013 Eurovision Handbook.
    Kavanagh, Adrian and Fallon, Johnny (2013) The 2013 Eurovision Handbook. [Details]

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2022 'Westmeath Elections 1918-1970'
    Adrian Kavanagh and Caoilfhionn D'Arcy (2022) 'Westmeath Elections 1918-1970' In: Willie Nolan (eds). Westmeath: History and Society. Dublin: Geography Publications. [Details]
    2021 'Geographical Factors in Constituency Voting Patterns'
    Adrian Kavanagh, William Durkan and Caoilfhionn D'Arcy (2021) 'Geographical Factors in Constituency Voting Patterns' In: Michael Gallagher, Michael Marsh and Theresa Reidy (eds). How Ireland Voted 2020: The End of An Era. London: Palgrave MacMillan. [Details]
    2020 'Electoral Cartography'
    Durkan, William, Kavanagh, Adrian and D’Arcy, Caoilfhionn (2020) 'Electoral Cartography' In: Kobayashi, Audrey (eds). International Encyclopedia of Human Geography 2nd Edition, Volume 2. Oxford: Elsevier. [DOI] [Details]
    2018 'The Irish Government's Diaspora Strategy: Towards a Care Agenda'
    Mark Boyle and Adrian Kavanagh (2018) 'The Irish Government's Diaspora Strategy: Towards a Care Agenda' In: Devlin Trew, Johanne, Pierse, Michael (eds). Rethinking the Irish Diaspora: After The Gathering. London: Palgrave MacMillan. [DOI] [Details]
    2017 'A century of elections in Monaghan'
    Adrian Kavanagh (2017) 'A century of elections in Monaghan' In: Patrick J. Duffy (eds). Monaghan History and Society: Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish county. Dublin: Geography Publications. [Details]
    2014 'Health and Spatial Justice'
    Foley, Ronan and Kavanagh, Adrian (2014) 'Health and Spatial Justice' In: Spatial Justice and the Irish Crisis. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
    2009 'Electoral Cartography'
    Kavanagh, A. (2009) 'Electoral Cartography' In: International Encyclopedia of Human Geography. Elsevier. [Details]
    2007 'Commentary on: ‘Transformation with a small ‘t’: candidates for the Dáil, 1948-82’ I'
    Kavanagh, A. (2007) 'Commentary on: ‘Transformation with a small ‘t’: candidates for the Dáil, 1948-82’ I' In: Irish Political Studies Reader: Key Contributions. London and New York: Routledge. [Details]
    2007 'Economic Structure: Industries and Occupations'
    Walsh, C., Kavanagh, A. and Walsh, J.A. (2007) 'Economic Structure: Industries and Occupations' In: People and Place: A Census Atlas of the Republic of Ireland. Maynooth: NIRSA. [Details]
    2007 'Population and Structure'
    Walsh, C., Walsh, J.A. and Kavanagh, A. (2007) 'Population and Structure' In: People and Place: A Census Atlas of the Republic of Ireland. Maynooth: NIRSA. [Details]
    2007 'Turnout, Political Support and Representation in Ireland'
    Kavanagh, A. (2007) 'Turnout, Political Support and Representation in Ireland' In: Recycling the State: The Politics of Adaptation in contemporary Ireland. Dublin: Irish Academic Press. [Details]
    2007 'Elections and Voting'
    Kavanagh, A. (2007) 'Elections and Voting' In: Understanding Contemporary Ireland. London/Dublin/Ann Arbor MI: Pluto Press. [Details]
    2007 'Synthesis: Rural and Urban Typologies'
    Walsh, C., Walsh, J.A. and Kavanagh, A. (2007) 'Synthesis: Rural and Urban Typologies' In: People and Place: A Census Atlas of the Republic of Ireland. Maynooth: NIRSA. [Details]
    2007 'Education, Socio-Economic Status & Social Classes'
    Walsh, C., Kavanagh, A. and Walsh, J.A. (2007) 'Education, Socio-Economic Status & Social Classes' In: People and Place: A Census Atlas of the Republic of Ireland. Maynooth: NIRSA. [Details]
    2001 'Voter Turnout, Social Deprivation and Political Mobilisation'
    Kavanagh, A. (2001) 'Voter Turnout, Social Deprivation and Political Mobilisation' In: Proceedings of The Academy of Marketing Fourth International Political Marketing Conference. Dublin: Dublin City University Business School. [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2021 'A case for geography in a time of Covid - and beyond!'
    Adrian Kavanagh (2021) 'A case for geography in a time of Covid - and beyond!'. Geographical Viewpoint, 44 :37-38 [Details]
    2013 'Book Reviews: The Ashgate research companion to critical geopolitics'
    Adrian Kavanagh (2013) 'Book Reviews: The Ashgate research companion to critical geopolitics'. Irish Geography, 46 (1-2):166-167 [Details]
    2009 'Book Reviews: The Geographies of Garbage Governance - Interventions, Interactions and Outcomes'
    Adrian Kavanagh (2009) 'Book Reviews: The Geographies of Garbage Governance - Interventions, Interactions and Outcomes'. Irish Geography, 42 (1):119-124 [Details]
    2015 'THE MAY 2014 LOCAL AND EUROPEAN ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: SECOND ORDER OR AUSTERITY VOTING?'
    Kavanagh A. (2015) 'THE MAY 2014 LOCAL AND EUROPEAN ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: SECOND ORDER OR AUSTERITY VOTING?'. Representation, 51 (2):239-252 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2015 'An evolving political landscape: Political reform, boundary changes and the 2014 local elections'
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) 'An evolving political landscape: Political reform, boundary changes and the 2014 local elections'. Administration, 63 :59-77 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2015 'An end to “Civil War politics? The radically reshaped political landscape of post-crash Ireland'
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) 'An end to “Civil War politics? The radically reshaped political landscape of post-crash Ireland'. Electoral Studies, 38 :71-81 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2014 'All Changed, Changed Utterly? Irish General Election Boundary Amendments and the 2012 Constituency Commission Report'
    Kavanagh, A (2014) 'All Changed, Changed Utterly? Irish General Election Boundary Amendments and the 2012 Constituency Commission Report'. Irish Political Studies, 29 :215-235 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2006 'Turnout or turned off?  Electoral participation in Dublin in the early 21st Century'
    Kavanagh, A. (2006) 'Turnout or turned off?  Electoral participation in Dublin in the early 21st Century'. 3 :1-24 [full-text] [Details]
    2006 'Origins, Destinations & Catchments: Mapping Travel to Work in Ireland in 2002'
    Walsh, J., Foley, R., Kavanagh, A. and McElwain, A. (2006) 'Origins, Destinations & Catchments: Mapping Travel to Work in Ireland in 2002'. JOURNAL OF THE STATISTICAL AND SOCIAL INQUIRY SOCIETY OF IRELAND, XXXV :1-58 [full-text] [Details]
    2005 'The Meath and Kildare North by-elections'
    Kavanagh, A. (2005) 'The Meath and Kildare North by-elections'. Irish Political Studies, 20 :201-211 [full-text] [Details]
    2004 'The 2004 Local Elections in the Republic of Ireland'
    Kavanagh, A. (2004) 'The 2004 Local Elections in the Republic of Ireland'. Irish Political Studies, 19 :64-84 [full-text] [Details]
    2004 'The geography of Irish voter turnout: A case study of the 2002 general election'
    Kavanagh A.;Mills G.;Sinnott R. (2004) 'The geography of Irish voter turnout: A case study of the 2002 general election'. Irish Geography, 37 (2):177-186 [full-text] [Details]
    2003 'The Constituency Commission'
    Kavanagh, A. (2003) 'The Constituency Commission'. Irish Political Studies, 18 :89-99 [full-text] [Details]
    2003 'Religion as a factor in the conflicts in the Former Yugoslavia'
    Kavanagh, A. (2003) 'Religion as a factor in the conflicts in the Former Yugoslavia'. Geographical Viewpoint, 31 :40-45 [Details]
    1998 'Postmodernity, Globalisation and Nationalist Conflict in the Former Yugoslavia'
    Kavanagh, A. (1998) 'Postmodernity, Globalisation and Nationalist Conflict in the Former Yugoslavia'. Geopolitics, 3 :34-52 [full-text] [Details]

    Conference Publications

      Year Publication
    2001 Voter Turnout, Social Deprivation and Political Mobilisation
    Adrian Kavanagh (2001) Voter Turnout, Social Deprivation and Political Mobilisation . In: Shane Martin eds. Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Fourth International Political Marketing Conference Dublin City University Business School, , pp.155-176 [Details]
    2018 The Irish Government's Diaspora Strategy: Towards a Care Agenda
    Boyle, M;Kavanagh, A (2018) The Irish Government's Diaspora Strategy: Towards a Care Agenda RETHINKING THE IRISH DIASPORA: AFTER THE GATHERING , pp.59-79 [DOI] [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2021 Eurovision – Maps and Music.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2021) Eurovision – Maps and Music. [Oral Presentation], “Eurovision: Maps, Music and Memories” one-day (online) conference, Maynooth University , 09-APR-21 - 09-APR-21 [Details]
    2021 Nil Points...Douze Points…A Political Geography of Eurovision Song Contest Voting Patterns.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2021) Nil Points...Douze Points…A Political Geography of Eurovision Song Contest Voting Patterns. [Oral Presentation], Conference of Irish Geographers 2021, Geography Department, Trinity College Dublin , 19-MAY-21 - 19-MAY-21 [Details]
    2018 Voting patterns in the Eurovision Song Contest reflect three main factors, changes in musical trends and taste, changes to the countries eligible to take part in the contest, and changes to the voting system.
    Adrian Kavanagh and Caoilfhionn D'Arcy (2018) Voting patterns in the Eurovision Song Contest reflect three main factors, changes in musical trends and taste, changes to the countries eligible to take part in the contest, and changes to the voting system. [Conferences hosted], #Eurovision Unplugged: The Eurovision Song Contest – The Geography, The History, The Votes and The Songs, Maynooth University , 14-MAR-18 - 14-MAR-18 [Details]
    2018 This one-day conference studied the significance of the 1918 election from a vantage point taken one hundred years later, but with a special focus on the geographical, place-based and or environmental dimensions of these electoral contests.
    Adrian Kavanagh, Caoilfhionn D'Arcy, William Durkan and Claire McGing (2018) This one-day conference studied the significance of the 1918 election from a vantage point taken one hundred years later, but with a special focus on the geographical, place-based and or environmental dimensions of these electoral contests. [Conferences hosted], A Century of Elections: Past, Place and Politics, Maynooth University , 03-OCT-18 - 03-OCT-18 [Details]
    2019 This one-day conference offered an overview of the 2019 Local and European Elections, exactly one month after these election contests took place. The general trends in terms of changing support and turnout patterns at these contests were discussed, as well as the implications of these in terms of the upcoming general election and political life in the Republic of Ireland, as a whole.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2019) This one-day conference offered an overview of the 2019 Local and European Elections, exactly one month after these election contests took place. The general trends in terms of changing support and turnout patterns at these contests were discussed, as well as the implications of these in terms of the upcoming general election and political life in the Republic of Ireland, as a whole. [Conferences hosted], The 2019 Local and European Elections – One Month On…: Greenamis, Falling Turnouts, Long Counts and the Role of Local Media, Maynooth University , 27-JUN-19 - 27-JUN-19 [Details]
    2019 From All Kinds of Everything to Boom Bang A Bang - Geographies of Voting at Elections and the Eurovision Song Contest Geography in the News: Topical Geography for All one-day seminar, St. Patrick’s Campus, Dublin City University, 21st November 2019.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2019) From All Kinds of Everything to Boom Bang A Bang - Geographies of Voting at Elections and the Eurovision Song Contest Geography in the News: Topical Geography for All one-day seminar, St. Patrick’s Campus, Dublin City University, 21st November 2019. [Oral Presentation], Geography in the News: Topical Geography for All, St Patrick's Campus, Dublin City University , 21-NOV-19 - 21-NOV-19 [Details]
    2019 A Geographical Overview of Party Support and Voter Turnout Trends at the 2019 Local and European elections The 2019 Local and European Elections – One Month On…: Greenamis, Falling Turnouts, Long Counts and the Role of Local Media, Maynooth University, 24th June 2019.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2019) A Geographical Overview of Party Support and Voter Turnout Trends at the 2019 Local and European elections The 2019 Local and European Elections – One Month On…: Greenamis, Falling Turnouts, Long Counts and the Role of Local Media, Maynooth University, 24th June 2019. [Oral Presentation], The 2019 Local and European Elections – One Month On…: Greenamis, Falling Turnouts, Long Counts and the Role of Local Media, Maynooth University , 24-JUN-19 - 24-JUN-19 [Details]
    2018 Changing/unchanging party politics in the Republic of Ireland: “Civil War” politics, anti-establishment trends and the impact of changing voter turnout geographies A Century of Elections: Past, Place and Politics, Maynooth University, 3rd October 2018.
    Adrian Kavanagh and William Durkan (2018) Changing/unchanging party politics in the Republic of Ireland: “Civil War” politics, anti-establishment trends and the impact of changing voter turnout geographies A Century of Elections: Past, Place and Politics, Maynooth University, 3rd October 2018. [Oral Presentation], A Century of Elections: Past, Place and Politics, Maynooth University , 03-OCT-18 - 03-OCT-18 [Details]
    2019 A Geography of Candidate Selection for the 2019 Local Elections in the Republic of Ireland 7th EUGEO Congress in conjunction with the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers, NUI Galway, 18th May 2019.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2019) A Geography of Candidate Selection for the 2019 Local Elections in the Republic of Ireland 7th EUGEO Congress in conjunction with the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers, NUI Galway, 18th May 2019. [Oral Presentation], 7th EUGEO Congress in conjunction with the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers, NUI Galway , 18-MAY-19 - 18-MAY-19 [Details]
    2018 What now for Civil War Politics?: Assessing the Impacts of Changing Urban Turnout Geographies Conference of Irish Geographers, Maynooth University, 10th May 2018.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2018) What now for Civil War Politics?: Assessing the Impacts of Changing Urban Turnout Geographies Conference of Irish Geographers, Maynooth University, 10th May 2018. [Oral Presentation], Conference of Irish Geographers 2018, Maynooth University , 10-MAY-18 - 10-MAY-18 [Details]
    2018 #Eurovision Unplugged: The Eurovision Song Contest – The Geography, The History, The Votes and The Songs.
    Adrian Kavanagh and Caoilfhionn D'Arcy (2018) #Eurovision Unplugged: The Eurovision Song Contest – The Geography, The History, The Votes and The Songs. [Oral Presentation], Uncovering Eurovision’s Voting Patterns, Maynooth University , 14-MAR-18 - 14-MAR-18 [Details]
    2017 Conference of Irish Geographers 2017.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2017) Conference of Irish Geographers 2017. [Oral Presentation], The Eurovision Song Contest: Voting Patterns, Politics and Geography, University College Cork , 04-MAY-17 - 06-MAY-17 [Details]
    2017 The Eurovision Song Contest in a Changing World: Culture, Geography and Politics.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2017) The Eurovision Song Contest in a Changing World: Culture, Geography and Politics. [Oral Presentation], Power To All Our Friends or Boom Bang-A-Bang?: Geography, Eurovision Voting Patterns and Eurovision Geopolitics, Maynooth University , 11-APR-17 [Details]
    2016 Conference of Irish Geographers 2016.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) Conference of Irish Geographers 2016. [Oral Presentation], 1927 again? The changing/unchanging geographies of elections in the Republic of Ireland, St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra , 05-MAY-16 - 05-MAY-16 [Details]
    2016 “Who to expect in the new Dáil? Candidate diversity in the 2016 General Election” seminar.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) “Who to expect in the new Dáil? Candidate diversity in the 2016 General Election” seminar. [Oral Presentation], A review of General Election 2016 candidate selection trends, Maynooth University , 25-FEB-16 - 25-FEB-16 [Details]
    2016 “Ireland Votes 2016: Predictions, Predilections, and Partnerships”: Maynooth University Alumni Lecture Series.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) “Ireland Votes 2016: Predictions, Predilections, and Partnerships”: Maynooth University Alumni Lecture Series. [Oral Presentation], 1927 again? The changing/unchanging geographies of elections in the Republic of Ireland, Wood Quay venue, Dublin City Council , 24-FEB-16 - 24-FEB-16 [Details]
    2015 Reinventing Ireland after the Crash Joint Summer School.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2015) Reinventing Ireland after the Crash Joint Summer School. [Oral Presentation], A Farewell to Civil War Politics?: Earthquake elections and electoral trends in post-Crash Ireland, Maynooth University , 01-JUL-15 - 01-JUL-15 [Details]
    2015 “Voices and views from Local Elections 2014. How Women Fared one-day seminar.
    (2015) “Voices and views from Local Elections 2014. How Women Fared one-day seminar. [Oral Presentation], Local Elections 2014 – An analysis of how women fared, Longford Women’s Link, Longford Town [Details]
    2015 “The Changing Nature of Local Government in Ireland” symposium.
    (2015) “The Changing Nature of Local Government in Ireland” symposium. [Oral Presentation], An evolving political landscape, University College Cork [Details]
    2015 “Teaching politics in our universities: inspiring, inciting and enlightening” one-day conference.
    (2015) “Teaching politics in our universities: inspiring, inciting and enlightening” one-day conference. [Oral Presentation], Teaching politics through Geography: Roleplay, print media/social media and critical assignments, NUI Offices, Merrion Square, Dublin [Details]
    2015 Reinventing Ireland after the Crash Joint Summer School (York University/Maynooth University).
    (2015) Reinventing Ireland after the Crash Joint Summer School (York University/Maynooth University). [Oral Presentation], A Farewell to Civil War Politics?: Earthquake elections and electoral trends in post-Crash Ireland, National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, Maynooth University [Details]
    2015 Dáil/Seanad Éireann Committee on Environment, Culture and Local Government.
    (2015) Dáil/Seanad Éireann Committee on Environment, Culture and Local Government. [Oral Presentation], Perspectives on proposals to set up an Electoral Commission, Leinster House [Details]
    2014 European Movement Ireland.
    (2014) European Movement Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Perspectives on the European Parliament elections, European Parliament Information Office, Dublin City [Details]
    2014 Dáil/Seanad Éireann Committee on European Union Affairs.
    (2014) Dáil/Seanad Éireann Committee on European Union Affairs. [Oral Presentation], Voting Rights of European Union Citizens, Dáil/Seanad Éireann Committee on European Union Affairs, Leinster House [Details]
    2014 Maynooth University Department of Geography departmental seminar series.
    (2014) Maynooth University Department of Geography departmental seminar series. [Oral Presentation], Earthquake elections or plus ca change? The new (?) electoral geographies of post-crash Ireland, Maynooth University Department of Geography [Details]
    2014 Marketing Society political event.
    (2014) Marketing Society political event. [Oral Presentation], Reviewing candidate selection, turnout and support trends at the 2014 Local and European elections, Doheny and Nesbitts [Details]
    2014 “Sovereignty Regained: Has the bailout changed the Irish State?” one-day conference.
    (2014) “Sovereignty Regained: Has the bailout changed the Irish State?” one-day conference. [Oral Presentation], What New Politics? Candidate selection trends at the 2014 Local and European elections, University College Cork [Details]
    2014 Lifelong Learning Week lecture series, Ballyphelane/Togher CDC.
    (2014) Lifelong Learning Week lecture series, Ballyphelane/Togher CDC. [Oral Presentation], The Political Landscape of the 2014 Local Elections, Ballyphelane/Togher CDC, Cork City [Details]
    2014 Local Resistance, Global Crisis one day conference.
    (2014) Local Resistance, Global Crisis one day conference. [Oral Presentation], A Review of the Left Wing Vote in the European and Local Elections 2014, NUI Maynooth [Details]
    2014 Young Fine Gael Garret Fitzgerald Summer School.
    (2014) Young Fine Gael Garret Fitzgerald Summer School. [Oral Presentation], Ireland and the Political Reform agenda, Clarion Hotel, Sligo [Details]
    2013 Political Studies Association of Ireland Conference 2013.
    (2013) Political Studies Association of Ireland Conference 2013. [Oral Presentation], Reviewing local election candidate selection strategies ahead of the 2014 elections, Trinity College Dublin [Details]
    2012 Conference of Irish Geographers.
    (2012) Conference of Irish Geographers. [Oral Presentation], Ireland in Eurovision 1997-2011: Politics and Geography, Trinity College Dublin [Details]
    2012 Elections, Public Opinion and Parties annual conference.
    (2012) Elections, Public Opinion and Parties annual conference. [Oral Presentation], Assessing the impact of rising turnout levels in the 2011 General Election in Ireland, University of Exeter [Details]
    2012 Conference of Irish Geographers.
    (2012) Conference of Irish Geographers. [Oral Presentation], Voter turnout levels in Dublin City 1997-2011: In time and in place, Trinity College Dublin [Details]
    2011 Political Studies Association of Ireland.
    (2011) Political Studies Association of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], No longer Jed and buried? Political perspectives on Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 [Details]
    2011 Conference of Irish Geographers 2011.
    (2011) Conference of Irish Geographers 2011. [Oral Presentation], JED in the water or onWARD to victory? A geographical analysis of Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest, Mary Immaculate College Limerick [Details]
    2011
    Dr. Emer O'Leary (2011) [Visiting and guest lecturers hosted], Constituency work practices of Irish TDs, Dail Eireann, Social Sciences , NIRSA/Geography and Sociology (MA Society and Space class) [Details]
    2011 Geographical Society of Ireland.
    (2011) Geographical Society of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Burnt Earth Strategies, Swings and Roundabouts? Geographical Perspective on the 2011 General Electio, Geography Department, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra [Details]
    2011 Conference of Irish Geographers 2011.
    (2011) Conference of Irish Geographers 2011. [Oral Presentation], The Turnout Tangle: Impacts of changing electoral participations levels in 2011 General Election, Mary Immaculate College Limerick [Details]
    2011 Claiming Our Future Public Meeting,.
    (2011) Claiming Our Future Public Meeting,. [Oral Presentation], Voting in Dun Laoghaire, Dun Laoghaire [Details]
    2010 Political Studies Association of Ireland annual conference.
    (2010) Political Studies Association of Ireland annual conference. [Oral Presentation], Electoral participation in the 2007 General Election: A Geographical Perspective, Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street [Details]
    2010 Political Studies Association of Ireland annual conference.
    (2010) Political Studies Association of Ireland annual conference. [Oral Presentation], Politics, Ireland and the Eurovision Song Contest, Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street [Details]
    2010 Conference of Irish Geographers 2010.
    (2010) Conference of Irish Geographers 2010. [Oral Presentation], The Participation Puzzle, Dept of Geography, NUI Maynooth [Details]
    2010 Geographical Society of Ireland evening lecture.
    (2010) Geographical Society of Ireland evening lecture. [Oral Presentation], From 'Irlande Douze Points’ To 'Walking The Streets In The Rain: Has Geography Destroyed Ireland’s, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra [Details]
    2009 Conference of Irish Geographers.
    (2009) Conference of Irish Geographers. [Oral Presentation], From 'What's Another Year' to, University College Cork [Details]
    2009 Joint Committee on the Constitution.
    (2009) Joint Committee on the Constitution. [Oral Presentation], Geographic Voting, University College Cork (Dept of Government) [Details]
    2008 Political Studies Association of Ireland Conferenc.
    (2008) Political Studies Association of Ireland Conferenc. [Oral Presentation], It stands to reason to vote local’, NUI Galway [Details]

    Published Reports

      Year Publication
    2006 Voter Turnout in Fingal in the 21st Century.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2006) Voter Turnout in Fingal in the 21st Century. Fingal Development Board, Fingal. [Details]
    2002 Unequal Participation, Unequal Influence: Voter Participation and Voter Education in Dublin's South West Inner City.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2002) Unequal Participation, Unequal Influence: Voter Participation and Voter Education in Dublin's South West Inner City. South West Inner City Network, Dublin. [Details]

    Blog

      Year Publication
    2016 City and County Council Members – Co-options and Changes since the 2014 Local Elections.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) City and County Council Members – Co-options and Changes since the 2014 Local Elections. Blog [Details]
    2014 Whither Gerrymandering.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2014) Whither Gerrymandering. Blog [Details]
    2016 US 2016 Presidential Election: National Polls say “Clear Clinton win”, State-level Polls say “Close Contest”.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) US 2016 Presidential Election: National Polls say “Clear Clinton win”, State-level Polls say “Close Contest”. Blog [Details]
    2016 Little change heading into the Summer Recess…: Constituency-level analysis of Sunday Times-Behaviour & Attitudes opinion poll (26th June 2016).
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) Little change heading into the Summer Recess…: Constituency-level analysis of Sunday Times-Behaviour & Attitudes opinion poll (26th June 2016). Blog [Details]
    2016 Good poll for largest parties, but a bad one for the independents: Constituency-level analysis of the Sunday Independent-Millward Brown opinion poll (3rd July 2016).
    Adrian Kavanagh (2016) Good poll for largest parties, but a bad one for the independents: Constituency-level analysis of the Sunday Independent-Millward Brown opinion poll (3rd July 2016). Blog [Details]
    2014 Candidates for the 2016 General Election (by constituency).
    Adrian Kavanagh (2014) Candidates for the 2016 General Election (by constituency). Blog [Details]

    Gov. Report or Document

      Year Publication
    2013 Potential Outcomes for the 2007 and 2011 Irish elections under different electoral systems.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh and Noel Whelan (2013) Potential Outcomes for the 2007 and 2011 Irish elections under different electoral systems. Gov. Report or Document [full-text] [Details]

    Magazine Article

      Year Publication
    2018 Interview with Adrian Kavanagh.
    Pells, Rachael and Kavanagh, Adrian (2018) Interview with Adrian Kavanagh. Magazine Article [Details]
    2014 Election 2014 – Will your vote count?.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Election 2014 – Will your vote count?. Magazine Article [Details]
    2012 Unfamiliar territory: Cutting the number of TDs to 158, not population changes, has defined the proposed constituency boundaries.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2012) Unfamiliar territory: Cutting the number of TDs to 158, not population changes, has defined the proposed constituency boundaries. Magazine Article [full-text] [Details]

    Newspaper Articles

      Year Publication
    2021 We’re a Eurovision flop – and we can’t blame the televoting. Here’s how Ireland can fight back”.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2021) We’re a Eurovision flop – and we can’t blame the televoting. Here’s how Ireland can fight back”. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2019 It's good History has been saved - But we must also put Geography on the map.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2019) It's good History has been saved - But we must also put Geography on the map. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2019 How standout candidates made such a big impact with the voters.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2019) How standout candidates made such a big impact with the voters. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2015 Based on these numbers, another Fine Gael-Labour coalition would fall far short.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Based on these numbers, another Fine Gael-Labour coalition would fall far short. Newspaper Articles [full-text] [Details]
    2015 Adrian Kavanagh’s general election countdown: Part 1.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Adrian Kavanagh’s general election countdown: Part 1. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2015 Adrian Kavanagh’s general election countdown: Part 3.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Adrian Kavanagh’s general election countdown: Part 3. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2015 Young voters give wake-up call ahead of next election.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Young voters give wake-up call ahead of next election. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2015 Independents’ support levels don’t always translate into seats.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Independents’ support levels don’t always translate into seats. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2015 Labour wont get vote transfers from the Left.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Labour wont get vote transfers from the Left. Newspaper Articles [full-text] [Details]
    2015 Labour is facing a ‘perfect storm’ at coming election.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Labour is facing a ‘perfect storm’ at coming election. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2015 Adrian Kavanagh’s general election countdown: Part 2.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2015) Adrian Kavanagh’s general election countdown: Part 2. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Independents Day: New groupings to thrive after election.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Independents Day: New groupings to thrive after election. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Independents and Left have most to gain.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Independents and Left have most to gain. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Hold on to your seat, it’ll be a bumpy electoral ride.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Hold on to your seat, it’ll be a bumpy electoral ride. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 The vital wards for election predictions.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) The vital wards for election predictions. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Elections in Numbers.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Elections in Numbers. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Labour faces perfect storm.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Labour faces perfect storm. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 What results tell us about Greens, gender and reform.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) What results tell us about Greens, gender and reform. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 A small step in the right direction (Friday 30th May).
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh, Fiona Buckley, Claire McGing and Nóirín Clancy (2014) A small step in the right direction (Friday 30th May). Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Predicting seat numbers.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Predicting seat numbers. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Battlegrounds: Six constituencies that will determine the next government.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Battlegrounds: Six constituencies that will determine the next government. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Independents day as major parties lose out.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2014) Independents day as major parties lose out. Newspaper Articles [full-text] [Details]
    2013 Picture of Ireland: How many Dubliners vote?.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2013) Picture of Ireland: How many Dubliners vote?. Newspaper Articles [full-text] [Details]
    2013 Signs of growing anti-government sentiment in key commuter belt areas.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2013) Signs of growing anti-government sentiment in key commuter belt areas. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2012 Science of the Eurovision.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2012) Science of the Eurovision. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2012 Changes may offer parties a quick fix to gender quotas.
    Dr Adrian P Kavanagh (2012) Changes may offer parties a quick fix to gender quotas. Newspaper Articles [full-text] [Details]
    2010 Charting rise and rise of new kids on the bloc.
    Kavanagh, A.P. (2010) Charting rise and rise of new kids on the bloc. Newspaper Articles [full-text] [Details]

    Presentation

      Year Publication
    2015 An evolving political landscape: The 2014 Local Elections.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2015) An evolving political landscape: The 2014 Local Elections. Presentation [Details]
    2015 Perspectives on proposals to set up an Electoral Commission.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2015) Perspectives on proposals to set up an Electoral Commission. Presentation [Details]

    Reviews

      Year Publication
    2015 An evolving political landscape: Political reform, boundary changes and the 2014 local elections.
    Kavanagh A. (2015) An evolving political landscape: Political reform, boundary changes and the 2014 local elections. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

    Working Paper

      Year Publication
    2008 The use of eligible voting-age population data versus electoral register data in estimating and analysing voter turnout.
    Sinnott, Richard and Kavanagh, Adrian (2008) The use of eligible voting-age population data versus electoral register data in estimating and analysing voter turnout. Working Paper [Details]

    Web Page

      Year Publication
    2018 RTÉ Brainstorm: Douze points: the who, what & why of Eurovision voting.
    Caoilfhionn D'Arcy and Adrian Kavanagh (2018) RTÉ Brainstorm: Douze points: the who, what & why of Eurovision voting. Web Page [Details]
    2021 RTÉ Brainstorm: All you need to know about Eurovision voting patterns.
    Adrian Kavanagh and Caoilfhionn D'Arcy (2021) RTÉ Brainstorm: All you need to know about Eurovision voting patterns. Web Page [Details]
    2020 RTÉ Brainstorm: The 10 swing states that will decide the US presidential election.
    Adrian Kavanagh (2020) RTÉ Brainstorm: The 10 swing states that will decide the US presidential election. Dublin: Web Page [Details]
    2018 Getting out the vote: what influences voter turnout?.
    Adrian Kavanagh and William Durkan (2018) Getting out the vote: what influences voter turnout?. Web Page [Details]
    2018 Douze points: the who, what & why of Eurovision voting.
    Adrian Kavanagh and Caoilfhionn D'Arcy (2018) Douze points: the who, what & why of Eurovision voting. RTE, Dublin: Web Page [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    1999 Government of Ireland Ph.D. Research Scholarship (Irish Rese
    1990 First Arts Prize, St. Patrick’s College Maynooth,

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Geographical Society of Ireland Membership Secretary 01-APR-01 / 01-MAY-13
    Political Studies Association of Ireland Committee Member 01-OCT-11 / 01-OCT-12
    Geographical Society of Ireland Vice President 16-MAY-20 / 15-MAY-21
    Geographical Society of Ireland Editor of GeoNews 01-NOV-04 / 01-MAY-09
    Specialist Group on Elections, Public Opinion and Parties Member 01-JAN-03 /
    Royal Irish Academy Geosciences and Geographical Sciences Committee Committee Member 01-JUL-14 / 29-JUN-16
    Geographical Society of Ireland Secretary 01-APR-11 / 01-MAY-13
    Geographical Society of Ireland Vice President 06-MAY-17 / 05-MAY-18
    Geographical Society of Ireland President 05-MAY-18 / 15-MAY-20

    Committees

      Committee Function From / To
    University Exam Appeals Board Member (Alternate) 2018 / 2019
    Academic Council Faculty of Social Sciences representative 2016 / 2018
    Dublin and Cities Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee Member 2008 / 2008
    Geographical Society of Ireland Membership Secretary 2001 / 2013
    Royal Irish Academy: Geosciences and Geographical Sciences Committee Member 2014 / 2018
    Political Studies Association of Ireland Committee Member 2011 / 2012
    Geographical Society of Ireland Editor of GeoNews (Society Newsletter) 2004 / 2009
    Geographical Society of Ireland Vice President 2017 / 2018
    Academic Programmes Committee Member 2016 / 2022
    Geographical Society of Ireland Secretary 2011 / 2013

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    Maynooth University Lecturer 01-JAN-03 /
    South West Inner City Network Research 01-MAY-01 / 01-FEB-02

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    1995 St. Patrick’s College M.A. in Geographical Analysis
    1992 St. Patrick’s College B.A.
    2002 Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth PhD

    Outreach Activities

      Description

    Interviews with national/local media organisations, generally relating to commentary on/analysis of elections/electoral geography, or the Eurovision Song Contest. Link

    Other Activities

      Description

    Appointed as member of the Dublin and Cities Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee by Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, in January 2008. Served on Committee during first half of 2008, up until the presentation of recommendations of the Committee to the Minister in June 2008.

    Chief Organiser of the 2010 Conference of Irish Geographers, hosted by the Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth

    Organiser of “The Future of the Irish Midlands: Threats and Opportunities” one-day conference in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, joint-hosted by the Geographical Society of Ireland/National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (4 April 2008)

    Organiser of the “The Eurovision Song Contest in a Changing World: Culture, Geography and Politics” one-day conference, Maynooth University (11 April 2017).

    Breakfast (Newstalk): Discussion of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest and Ireland’s prospects at this contest (9th May 2017).

    The Nicky Byrne Show with Jenny Greene (RTE 2FM Radio): Discussion of Ireland’s prospects at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest (9th May 2017).

    Morning Ireland (RTE Radio 1): Discussing the one-day Eurovision conference at Maynooth University and commenting on geographical voting trends at the contest (11th April 2017).

    Breakfast (Newstalk): Discussion relating to proposal to hold a referendum on extending voting rights at presidential elections to the Irish Diaspora (17th March 2017).

    News At One (RTE Radio 1): Discussing Ireland’s Eurovision entry and Ireland’s prospects for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv (10th March 2017).

    RTE News: Six One and Weather (RTE 1): Discussing Ireland’s entry for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, along with Ireland’s 2016 Junior Eurovision Song Contest act, Zena Donnelly (10th March 2017).

    Drivetime (RTE Radio 1): Discussing the potential for existing county boundary breaches to be as regards general election constituency boundaries to be addressed in the new Constituency Commission review process (3rd August 2016).

    A number of appearances on national and local media commentating/taking part in discussions on a number of topics related to my research areas. Further details on these media appearances (in addition to those listed on this page) may be viewed at: www.adriankavanaghelections.org/adrian-kavanagh-media-appearances/

    Chief Organiser of the “The 2019 Local and European Elections – One Month On…: Greenamis, Falling Turnouts, Long Counts and the Role of Local Media” one-day conference, Maynooth University (24 June 2019).

    Breakfast (Newstalk): Discussing the one-day Eurovision conference at Maynooth University and the ongoing controversy surrounding Russia’s participation in this year’s contest (11th April 2017).

    Organiser of the “#Eurovision Unplugged: The Eurovision Song Contest – The Geography, The History, The Votes and The Songs” one-day conference, Maynooth University (14 March 2018).

    Organiser of the “The Eurovision Song Contest in a Changing World: Culture, Geography and Politics” one-day conference, Maynooth University (11 April 2017).

    Colm O’Regan Wants A Word (RTE Radio 1): Offering insights about elections to complement the comedy sections on a show that was specifically devoted to elections (5th August 2019).

    Morning Ireland (RTE Radio 1): Discussing the main trends to emerge from the 2019 Local and European elections and the significance of these (27th May 2019).

    Elections 2019 Live Coverage (RTE1): One of the analysts studying/commenting on results in the 2019 Local and European elections on RTÉ 1 TV across Elections Weekend (25th and 26th May 2019).

    Organiser of the “A Century of Elections: Past, Place and Politics” one-day conference, Maynooth University (3 October 2018).

    Teaching Interests

    My main teaching interests focus on the field of Political Geography - my current/recent list of modules includes
    • a 2nd Year BA Political Geography module (GY227)
    • a 3rd Year BA Electoral Geography module (GY347)
    • a 3rd Year BA module on the History and Philosophy of Geography - Approaches to Human Geography (GY305)
    • a 3rd Year BA research workshop focused on the areas of Electoral Geography/Voting Patterns at the Eurovision Song Contest (GY310B)
    • a Masters in Geography module - Geography and Elections (GY613)
    • a 3rd Year BA Environmental Politics modules (GY327)
    • In 2015-16, I was also one of the field trip leaders on the 2nd Year Ireland Fieldtrip module (GY205)
    • In 2019-20 I am working on the GY609 (Thesis Preparation) module in Semester 1 with the MA in Geography/MA in Geography: Spatial Justice students

    Recent Postgraduates

      Graduation Student Name University Degree Thesis
    2008 Denise Margaret Kelly Maynooth University
    2008 Adrienne Mary Kendlin Maynooth University

    Internal Collaborators

      Name Institute Country
    Caoilfhionn Anne D'Arcy
    William Peter Durkan IRELAND