Brexit: The research evidence conference

‘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: Prof Catherine Barnard - University of Cambridge; UKICE

Panellists:

• Charlotte O’Brien - University of York
• Nando Sigona - University of Birmingham
• 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
• David Phinnemore - Queen’s University Belfast
• David Sterling - Former Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service
• Mary 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: Prof Sarah Hall (University of Cambridge; UKICE)

Panellists:

• Tamara Hervey - City, University of London
• Matthew Wood - University of Sheffield
• Adrian Favell - University of Leeds
• Zoe Grunewald - 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: Prof Anand Menon - UKICE

Panellists:

• Sara Hobolt - London School of Economics
• Meg Russell - University College London
• John Curtice - University of Strathclyde; National Centre for Social Research; UKICE)
• Sophie Stowers - UKICE