Research Profile

Liam Weeks

Biography

Liam Weeks has been a full-time lecturer in the Department of Government since September 2006. He is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University, Sydney since 2012. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, having been conferred with a BA in History & Political Science (2001), a Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics (2004) and a PhD in Political Science (2008). In 2009 he was conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from University College Cork.

Liam has been a visiting fellow at the Department of Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University (Sydney), the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney, the Department of Economic and Politics at Waseda University, Tokyo, the Institute of Social Research in Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne), the University of the South Pacific, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. From 2016 to 2019 he was an external examiner at the Department of Politics in the University of Lincoln. He is currently an external examiner at the University of Malta.

He has been the recipient of a number of prestigious research grants, including 
an Irish Research Council Marie Curie Fellowship (2010-3), an Irish Research Council New Foundations Grant (2014 & 2016), a Royal Irish Academy Mobility Grant (2010), a Visiting Fellowship at Waseda University (2016) and Swinburne University (2010), and a Government of Ireland postgraduate scholarship from the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (2002-5). He has also received Erasmus grants from the European Union for training and teaching activities at University College London (2014, 2015), the University of Malta (2016), the University of Ulster (2017), the Hertie School of Governance (2020, 2022), the Catholic University of Lille (2022) and has taught on the Small Island States summer school at the University of Reykavik, Iceland (2014). 

His main research interests include comparative politics, but particularly electoral systems, political parties and voting behaviour. He is interested in most aspects of Irish politics.
His first book (co-authored with Aodh Quinlivan), All Politics is Local. A Guide to Local Elections in Ireland, was published in 2009 by Collins Press, and was serialised on the elections website of the national broadcaster (RTE). His second (co-edited with Alistair Clark), Radical or Redundant? Minor Parties in Irish political life, was published by The History Press in 2012, and was also a special issue with Irish Political Studies. His third book, Independents in Irish democracy, was published in 2017 by Manchester University Press. Professor Diarmaid Ferriter described this work in The Irish Times as 'an impressively thorough overview' of a subject 'approached rigorously and judiciously'. He also praised the 'impressive detail' and 'exhaustive research' of a book for which the author 'deserves much credit for his impressive toil'. 
Dr. Weeks' fourth book (co-edited with Mícheál Ó Fathartaigh), The Treaty, was published by Irish Academic Press in 2018. His fifth, co-authored with the same colleague, was titled Birth of a State. The Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921) and was described in The Irish Times as 'compelling analysis'.
His research has been published in journals such as the Australian Journal of Political Science, Government and Opposition, Party Politics, Parliamentary Affairs, Representation, Comparative European Politics and Irish Political Studies. His other publications include chapters on the party system in the leading textbook on Irish politics, Politics in the Republic of Ireland, on candidate selection, Senate elections, and independents in various volumes of How Ireland Voted, and on the electoral system in The Houses of the Oireachtas (edited by Muiris MacCarthaigh and Eoin O'Malley).
In 2017 he received the Best Conference Paper award from the Political Studies Association of Ireland for his research on the Dáil debates on the 1921 Anglo-Irish treaty.

Liam engages widely with the political science community. He was a co-editor of the European Journal of Political Research Political Data Yearbook from 2013 to 2018. In 2018 he was appointed Associate Editor of ECPR Press. He is a member of the executive committee of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, and has been editor of the journal Irish Political Studies since 2021

His work has been cited in Irish parliamentary debates, he has appeared before parliamentary committees in hearings on the electoral commission and the electoral system, has addressed meetings of parliamentary parties and other members of parliament, has written opinion pieces for The Irish Times, The Irish Examiner, The Sunday Business Post and other broadsheets, has had his work cited in the Sunday Independent, Irish Independent, The Sunday Times and Sunday Tribune, and has regularly appeared on RTE and Newstalk to discuss his research, and as an elections analyst.

He is director of the BA(Politics) and is the first port of call if you have any questions about this programme. He is interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of comparative and Irish politics.

Research Interests

My research interests are in comparative and Irish politics, specifically electoral systems, voting behaviour, political parties and non-party politics.Research projects I am currently engaged in include:
  • An analysis of the impact of private members' bills for the Houses of the Oireachtas Parliamentary Research Office
  • A comparative study of how parliaments operate without political parties (with Dr Narelle Miragliotta)
  • The origins of the Irish party system
  • Populism in the non-partisan context

Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body
Start DateEnd DateAward
Whypaties.Irish Research Council01-MAR-1417-OCT-14€6,000.00
Parliments Withour Parties.Enterprise Irl01-AUG-1930-APR-20€15,445.00
A Quantitative Text Analysis of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty Debates.Irish Research Council01-MAR-1630-NOV-16€9,999.00
Independents in AustraliaRoyal Irish Academy01-MAR-1001-APR-10€2,500.00
Independents in AustraliaOther: Not Listed01-MAR-1001-APR-10€3,000.00
Consequences of an Independent presenceIrish Research Council01-OCT-1001-OCT-13€237,340.00

Publications

Books

 YearPublication
(2021)Birth of a State. The Anglo-Irish Treaty.
Micheal O Fathartaigh Liam Weeks (2021) Birth of a State. The Anglo-Irish Treaty. Dublin: Irish Academic Press. [Details]
(2018)The Treaty. Debating and Establishing the Irish state.
Weeks, Liam O Fathartaigh, Micheal (2018) The Treaty. Debating and Establishing the Irish state. Dublin: Irish Academic Press. [Details]
(2017)Independents in party democracy.
Liam Weeks (2017) Independents in party democracy. Manchester: Manchester University Press. [Details]
(2012)Radical or Redundant? Minor Parties in Irish Politics.
Weeks, Liam; Clark, Alistair (2012) Radical or Redundant? Minor Parties in Irish Politics. Dublin: History Press. [Details]
(2009)All Politics is Local: A Guide to Local Elections in Ireland.
Quinlivan, A. and Weeks, L.; (2009) All Politics is Local: A Guide to Local Elections in Ireland. Cork: The Collins Press. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2022)'It's Only Words? Analysing the Roots of the Irish Party System Using Historical Parliamentary Debates'
Weeks, L;Mikhaylov, SJ;Herzog, A;Fathartaigh, MO;Bechara, H (2022) 'It's Only Words? Analysing the Roots of the Irish Party System Using Historical Parliamentary Debates'. Parliamentary Affairs, [DOI] [Details]
(2020)'Minority Party Government and Independent MPs: A Comparative Analysis of Australia and Ireland'
Kefford G.;Weeks L. (2020) 'Minority Party Government and Independent MPs: A Comparative Analysis of Australia and Ireland'. Parliamentary Affairs, 73 (1):89-107 [DOI] [Details]
(2017)'From cartel party to traditional membership organization: the organizational evolution of Fianna Fáil'
Bolleyer, Nicole; Weeks, Liam (2017) 'From cartel party to traditional membership organization: the organizational evolution of Fianna Fáil'. Irish Political Studies, 32 (1):96-117   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2016)'Why are there independents in Ireland?'
Liam Weeks (2016) 'Why are there independents in Ireland?'. Government and Opposition, 51 (4):580-604 [Details]
(2013)'Rational, reverential or experimental? The politics of electoral reform in Oceania'
Weeks, L (2013) 'Rational, reverential or experimental? The politics of electoral reform in Oceania'. Australian Journal of Political Science, 48 :383-397 [Details]
(2015)'Parliaments without Parties'
Weeks, Liam (2015) 'Parliaments without Parties'. Australasian Parliamentary Review, 30 (2) [Details]
(2014)'Crashing the party. Does STV help independents?'
Weeks, L (2014) 'Crashing the party. Does STV help independents?'. Party Politics, 20 :604-616 [DOI] [Details]
(2011)'Tolerable Chance or Undesirable Arbitrariness? PR-STV and the surplus vote in Ireland'
Weeks, L.; (2011) 'Tolerable Chance or Undesirable Arbitrariness? PR-STV and the surplus vote in Ireland'. Parliamentary Affairs, 64 (2) [Details]
(2011)'Rage against the machine: who is the independent voter?'
Weeks, L.; (2011) 'Rage against the machine: who is the independent voter?'. Irish Political Studies, 26 (1):19-43 [Details]
(2010)'Minor Parties: A Schema for Analysis'
Weeks, L.; (2010) 'Minor Parties: A Schema for Analysis'. Irish Political Studies, 25 (4):481-501 [Details]
(2010)'Minor parties in Irish political life: an introduction'
Weeks, L.; (2010) 'Minor parties in Irish political life: an introduction'. Irish Political Studies, 25 (4):473-479 [Details]
(2009)'The Puzzle of Non-Party Actors in Party Democracy: Independents in Ireland'
Weeks, L. and Bolleyer, N.; (2009) 'The Puzzle of Non-Party Actors in Party Democracy: Independents in Ireland'. Comparative European Politics, 7 :299-324 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2009)'We don't like (to) party. A typology of Independents in Irish political life, 1922-2007'
Weeks, L.; (2009) 'We don't like (to) party. A typology of Independents in Irish political life, 1922-2007'. Irish Political Studies, 24 (1):1-27 [DOI] [Details]
(2002)'Explaining activism levels among Fine Gael members: a test of the general incentives model'
Weeks, L. and Gallagher, M. and Liston, V. and March, M.; (2002) 'Explaining activism levels among Fine Gael members: a test of the general incentives model'. Irish Political Studies, 17 (1):97-113 [DOI] [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2023)'The Party System'
Liam Weeks (2023) 'The Party System' In: Michael Gallagher, John Coakley, Theresa Reidy, Eoin O'Malley (eds). Politics in the Republic of Ireland. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2022)'Ireland: Minority Government with a Majoritarian Twist'
Liam Weeks (2022) 'Ireland: Minority Government with a Majoritarian Twist' In: Bonnie Field, Shane Martin (eds). Minority Governments in Comparative Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details]
(2022)'Ireland: An atypical electoral system for an atypical local government system'
Aodh Quinlivan, Mark Callanan and Liam Weeks (2022) 'Ireland: An atypical electoral system for an atypical local government system' In: The Routledge Handbook of Local Elections and Voting in Europe. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2021)'Ireland: The Paradox of a weak legislature in a candidate-centred system'
Liam Weeks, Slava Mikhaylov, Alex Herzog (2021) 'Ireland: The Paradox of a weak legislature in a candidate-centred system' In: Hanna Back, Marc Debus, Jorge Fernandes (eds). The Politics of Legislative Debates. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details]
(2021)'Independents and the party system'
Weeks, Liam (2021) 'Independents and the party system' In: Farrell, David M.; Hardiman, Niamh (eds). The Oxford Handbook of Irish Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2018)'Parties and the party system'
Liam Weeks (2018) 'Parties and the party system' In: Politics in the Republic of Ireland. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2018)'Party or candidate'
Liam Weeks, Michael Courtney (2018) 'Party or candidate' In: The post-crisis Irish voter. Voting behaviour in the Irish 2016 general election. Manchester: Manchester UP. [Details]
(2017)'From cartel party to traditional membership organisation: the organisational evolution of Fianna Fáil'
Nicole Bolleyer, Liam Weeks (2017) 'From cartel party to traditional membership organisation: the organisational evolution of Fianna Fáil' In: Eoin O'Malley, Sean McGraw (eds). One Party Dominance : Fianna Fail and Irish Politics 1926-2016. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2016)'Independents and the election. The party crasher'
Liam Weeks (2016) 'Independents and the election. The party crasher' In: Michael Gallagher, Michael Marsh (eds). How Ireland Voted 2016. The election that nobody won. London: Palgrave. [Details]
(2016)'Independents Day?'
Liam Weeks (2016) 'Independents Day?' In: Noel Whelan (eds). The Tallyman’s Guide to the 2016. Dublin: Liberties Press. [Details]
(2012)'From cradle to grave: minor parties in Irish politics'
Weeks, Liam (2012) 'From cradle to grave: minor parties in Irish politics' In: Radical or Redundant? Minor Parties in Irish Politics. Dublin: History Press. [Details]
(2012)'The dog that failed to bark. Why is there no new party?'
Weeks, Liam; (2012) 'The dog that failed to bark. Why is there no new party?' In: Radical or Redundant? Minor parties in Irish politics. Dublin: The History Press. [Details]
(2010)'Membership of the Houses'
Weeks, Liam; (2010) 'Membership of the Houses' In: The Houses of the Oireachtas. Dublin: IPA. [Details]
(2009)'The parties and the party system'
Weeks, Liam; (2009) 'The parties and the party system' In: Politics in the Republic of Ireland. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2008)'Independents in government: a sui generis model?'
Weeks, Liam; (2008) 'Independents in government: a sui generis model?' In: Newly Governing Parties. London: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]
(2008)'Ireland'
Weeks, Liam and Gallagher, Michael; (2008) 'Ireland' In: Elections in Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details]
(2007)'Candidate selection: democratic centralism or managed democracy?'
Weeks, Liam; (2007) 'Candidate selection: democratic centralism or managed democracy?' In: How Ireland Voted 2007. London: Palgrave. [Details]
(2007)'Appendices'
Weeks, Liam; (2007) 'Appendices' In: How Ireland Voted 2007. London: Palgrave. [Details]
(2005)'The party system'
Weeks, Liam and Mair, Peter; (2005) 'The party system' In: Politics in the Republic of Ireland. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2005)'Ireland'
Weeks, Liam; (2005) 'Ireland' In: Governments of the World. Farmington Hills MI: Macmillan. [Details]
(2003)'The subterranean election of the Seanad'
Weeks, Liam and Gallagher, Michael; (2003) 'The subterranean election of the Seanad' In: How Ireland Voted 2002. London: Palgrave. [Details]
(2003)'Appendices'
Weeks, Liam; (2003) 'Appendices' In: How Ireland Voted 2002. London: Palgrave. [Details]

Other Journals

 YearPublication
(2017)'Political Data in 2016'
Liam Weeks, Kevin Deegan-Krause and Andreas Bagenholm (2017) 'Political Data in 2016' The European Consortium for Political Research, 56 (1) :1-19. [Details]
(2012)'Fianna Fáil. A biography of a party (book review)'
Weeks, Liam (2012) 'Fianna Fáil. A biography of a party (book review)' Irish Political Studies, . [Details]
(2011)'The Municipal Revolution in Ireland: A Handbook of Urban Government in Ireland Since 1800 by Matthew Potter (book review)'
Weeks, L.; (2011) 'The Municipal Revolution in Ireland: A Handbook of Urban Government in Ireland Since 1800 by Matthew Potter (book review)' Local Government Studies, 37 (4) :467-474. [Details]
(2011)'Book Review: Albert Reynolds: My autobiography; Seamus Brennan. A Life in Government; Politics in a changing Ireland 1960-2007'
Weeks, L.; (2011) 'Book Review: Albert Reynolds: My autobiography; Seamus Brennan. A Life in Government; Politics in a changing Ireland 1960-2007' Irish Political Studies, 26 (1) :130-132. [Details]
(2011)'Book Review: Irish Elections 1948-77: Results and Analysis'
Weeks, L.; (2011) 'Book Review: Irish Elections 1948-77: Results and Analysis' Irish Political Studies, 26 (1) :135-137. [Details]
(2010)'The 2009 local elections in the Republic of Ireland'
Weeks, L; Quinlivan, A; (2010) 'The 2009 local elections in the Republic of Ireland' Irish Political Studies, 25 (2) :315-324. [Details]
(2008)'Republic of Ireland'
Weeks, Liam; (2008) 'Republic of Ireland' Irish Political Studies, 23 (2) :197-339. [Details]
(2003)'The Irish parliamentary election, 2002'
Weeks, L.; (2003) 'The Irish parliamentary election, 2002' Representation, 39 (3) :215-226. [Details]
(2007)'Republic of Ireland'
Weeks, Liam; (2007) 'Republic of Ireland' Irish Political Studies, 22 (2) :139-226. [Details]
(2006)'Republic of Ireland'
Weeks, Liam; (2006) 'Republic of Ireland' Irish Political Studies, 21 (1) :15-85. [Details]

Book Reviews

 YearPublication
(2018)Electoral competition in Ireland since 1987. The politics of triumph and despair.
Weeks, L (2018) Electoral competition in Ireland since 1987. The politics of triumph and despair. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2018)A conservative revolution? Electoral change in twenty-first-century Ireland.
Weeks, L (2018) A conservative revolution? Electoral change in twenty-first-century Ireland. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2018)Alfie: the life and times of Alfie Byrne.
Weeks, L (2018) Alfie: the life and times of Alfie Byrne. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2016)Just Mary: A Memoir.
Weeks, L (2016) Just Mary: A Memoir. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [Details]
(2011)Seamus Brennan. A Life in Government.
Weeks, L (2011) Seamus Brennan. A Life in Government. Book Reviews [Details]
(2011)The Municipal Revolution in Ireland: A Handbook of Urban Government in Ireland Since 1800.
Weeks, L (2011) The Municipal Revolution in Ireland: A Handbook of Urban Government in Ireland Since 1800. Book Reviews [Details]
(2011)Politics in a Changing Ireland 1960-2007: A Tribute to Seamus Pattison.
Weeks, L (2011) Politics in a Changing Ireland 1960-2007: A Tribute to Seamus Pattison. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [Details]
(2011)Albert Reynolds: My Autobiography.
Weeks, L (2011) Albert Reynolds: My Autobiography. Book Reviews [Details]
(2016)Conduct Unbecoming.
Weeks, L (2016) Conduct Unbecoming. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [Details]
(2016)Full On.
Weeks, L (2016) Full On. ABINGDON: Book Reviews [Details]

Journal Volume Edited

 YearPublication
(2011)Special issue of Irish Political Studies on 'Minor Parties in Irish political life'.
Weeks, Liam; Clark, Alistair (2011) Special issue of Irish Political Studies on 'Minor Parties in Irish political life'. Journal Volume Edited [Details]

Policy Contribution

 YearPublication
(2014)Discussion document for UCC submission on Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014.
Liam Weeks (2014) Discussion document for UCC submission on Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014. Policy Contribution [Details]
(2009)Presentation to the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution - Review of the Electoral System.
Liam Weeks (2009) Presentation to the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution - Review of the Electoral System. Policy Contribution [Details]
(2008)A Referendum Initiative - Joint Houses of the Oirechtas Committee on the Constitution.
Neil Collins, Clodagh Harris, Mary Murphy, Theresa Reidy and Liam Weeks (2008) A Referendum Initiative - Joint Houses of the Oirechtas Committee on the Constitution. Policy Contribution [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2018Government of Ireland Academic Staff Mobility Government of Ireland Academic Staff Mobility Programme, Higher Education Authority
2018CACSSS Publication Award College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences
2018NUI Publication Award NUI
2017Erasmus + Staff Mobility Waseda University Tokyo European Commission
2017Erasmus Staff teaching University of Ulster Jordanstown European Commission
2017Political Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference Best Conference Paper Political Studies Association of Ireland
2015Erasmus Staff teaching University College London European Commission
2016Erasmus Staff teaching University College London European Commission
2016Waseda Institute of Advanced Study Visiting Fellowship Waseda Institute of Advanced Study, Waseda University, Tokyo
2010RIA Postdoctoral Mobility Grant Royal Irish Academy
2005Postgraduate Government of Ireland Scholarship IRCHSS
2002Postgraduate award Department of Political Science, TCD
2000John Whyte prize for undergraduate essay on Northern Ireland John Whyte fund

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Australian Political Studies Association Member/
American Political Science Association Member/
Political Studies Association of Ireland Member/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2022)CFP Colloque SOFEIR, Université d'Orléans,
Liam Weeks, Micheal O Fathartaigh (2022) How the treaty was perceived overseas. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], CFP Colloque SOFEIR, Université d'Orléans, Orleans , 18-MAR-22 - 19-MAR-22. [Details]
(2022)Founding the State,
Liam Weeks, Micheal O Fathartaigh (2022) It's only words. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Founding the State, NUI Dublin , 14-JUN-22 - 14-JUN-22. [Details]
(2022)PSAI Annual Meeting,
Liam Weeks, Narelle Miragliotta (2022) Through the looking glass. Politics without parties. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], PSAI Annual Meeting, Waterford , 15-OCT-22 - 16-OCT-22. [Details]
(2022)Civil War Conference,
Liam Weeks, Micheal O Fathartaigh, Slava Mikhaylov, Alex Herzog, Hannah Bechara (2022) More than Words. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Civil War Conference, UCC , 16-JUN-22 - 18-JUN-22. [Details]
(2019)Parties Organisation Section of the Australian Political Studies Association8,
Liam Weeks (2019) Populism outside parties. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Parties Organisation Section of the Australian Political Studies Association8, Sydney , 28-NOV-19 - 29-NOV-19. [Details]
(2017)Annual Conference of the European Political Science Association,
Liam Weeks, Micheal O Fathartaigh, Slava Mikhaylov, Alex Herzog, Hannah Bechara (2017) A textual based analysis of a parliamentary division. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Conference of the European Political Science Association, Milan , 01-JUN-17 - 03-JUN-17. [Details]
(2017)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Liam Weeks (2017) Are Independents Populists?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Dublin , 13-OCT-17 - 15-OCT-17. [Details]
(2016)PSAI Special Issue Seminar,
Liam Weeks (2016) The evolution of Fianna Fáil’s organisation’. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], PSAI Special Issue Seminar, NUI , 07-MAY-16 - 07-MAY-16. [Details]
(2016)Annual Conference of the PSAI,
Liam Weeks, Michael Courtney (2016) Party or Candidate?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Conference of the PSAI, Belfast , 13-OCT-16 - 15-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016)Annual conference of the PSAI,
Liam Weeks (2016) More than words? Explaining the origins of the Irish party system. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual conference of the PSAI, Belfast , 14-OCT-16 - 16-OCT-16. [Details]
(2014)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Liam Weeks (2014) Parliaments without parties. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Galway , 17-OCT-14 - 19-OCT-14. [Details]
(2014)Annual Meeting of the Australian Political Studies Association,
Liam Weeks (2014) A colonial party system? The Irish party system in comparative perspective. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Australian Political Studies Association, Sydney , 28-SEP-14 - 01-OCT-14. [Details]
(2014)Annual Meeting of the Australian Parliamentary Studies Group,
Liam Weeks (2014) Parliaments without parties. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Australian Parliamentary Studies Group, Sydney , 01-OCT-14 - 03-OCT-14. [Details]
(2014)Annual Meeting of the Australian Political Studies Association,
Liam Weeks (2014) Do parliaments need parties?. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Australian Political Studies Association, Sydney , 28-SEP-14 - 01-OCT-14. [Details]
(2014)Parliaments without parties workshop,
Liam Weeks (2014) Parliaments without parties. [Oral Presentation], Parliaments without parties workshop, NUI, Merrion Square, Dublin , 02-JUL-14 - 03-JUL-14. [Details]
(2013)Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Liam Weeks (2013) Stuck in the colonial past? The Irish party system in comparative perspective. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Political Studies Association of Ireland, Dublin , 17-OCT-14 - 19-OCT-14. [Details]
(2013)Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association,
Liam Weeks (2013) Rational, reverential or experimental. The politics of electoral reform in Oceania. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Palmer Hilton, Chicago , 28-AUG-14 - 01-SEP-14. [Details]
(2013)Joint Sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research,
Weeks, Liam (2013) Party of One? The role of the independent MP in Westminster democracy. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Joint Sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research, Mainz , 11-MAR-13 - 16-MAR-13. [Details]
(2012)Annual Conference of the Australian Political Studies Association,
Weeks, Liam; Tucker, Peter (2012) The role of independent MPs in Westminster democracy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Conference of the Australian Political Studies Association, Hobart, Australia , 22-SEP-12 - 24-SEP-12. [Details]
(2012)Annual Conference of the European Political Science Association,
Weeks, Liam (2012) Maxima minima sunt. The role of independent MPs in Westminster democracy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Conference of the European Political Science Association, Berlin , 21-JUN-12 - 23-JUN-12. [Details]
(2012)Annual Conference of the European Political Science Association,
Weeks, Liam (2012) The Party Crashers. Explaining the Significance of Independents. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Annual Conference of the European Political Science Association, Berlin , 21-JUN-12 - 23-JUN-12. [Details]
(2011)Pacific Islands Political Studies Association conference,
Liam Weeks; (2011) The politics of electoral reform in Oceania. [Oral Presentation], Pacific Islands Political Studies Association conference, University of South Pacific, Apia, Samoa , 08-DEC-11 - 09-DEC-11. [Details]
(2011)New Zealand Political Studies Association Conference,
Liam Weeks; (2011) The dangers of STV for parties. [Oral Presentation], New Zealand Political Studies Association Conference, University of Otago, Dunedin , 01-DEC-11 - 02-DEC-11. [Details]
(2011)Global Irish Studies seminar, UNSW,
Liam Weeks; (2011) What electoral reformers can learn from Ireland and Australia. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Global Irish Studies seminar, UNSW, University of New South Wales , 18-OCT-11 - 18-OCT-11. [Details]
(2011)Annual Conference of the Australian Political Studies Association,
Liam Weeks; (2011) Does STV help independents?. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Australian Political Studies Association, Canberra, Australia , 26-SEP-11 - 28-SEP-11. [Details]
(2011)Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association,
Liam Weeks; (2011) Crashing the Party. Does STV help independents?. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Seattle, Washington , 01-SEP-11 - 04-SEP-11. [Details]
(2009)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Liam Weeks and Shane MacGiollabhuí; (2009) Candidate selection in tribal nations. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Hope University, Liverpool , 09-OCT-09 - 11-OCT-09. [Details]
(2009)Independent Local Lists and Local Parties Conference,
Liam Weeks; (2009) Independents as minor actors in Irish politics: major players?. [Oral Presentation], Independent Local Lists and Local Parties Conference, Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany , 27-NOV-09 - 29-NOV-09. [Details]
(2008)Minor parties in Irish political life,
Weeks, Liam; (2008) http://www.psai.ie. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Minor parties in Irish political life, NUI, Dublin , 01-DEC-08 - 01-DEC-08. [Details]
(2008)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam and Elkink, Jos and Kavanagh, Adrian and O¿Malley, Eoin; (2008) Money for nothing? Measuring campaign effects using expenditure returns. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Galway , 17-OCT-08 - 19-OCT-08. [Details]
(2008)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam and Elkink, Jos and Kavanagh, Adrian and O¿Malley, Eoin; (2008) It stands to reason to vote local': Measuring and explaining geographic voting. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Galway , 17-OCT-08 - 19-OCT-08. [Details]
(2007)On message: communicating the campaign,
Weeks, Liam; (2007) How to win: assessing campaign strategies at Irish elections. [Oral Presentation], On message: communicating the campaign, Department of Government, University College Cork , 29-MAR-07 - 29-MAR-07. [Details]
(2007)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2007) Does PR-STV benefit Independents?. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Hotel Isaacs, Dublin , 19-OCT-07 - 21-OCT-07. [Details]
(2007)The General Conference of the European Consortium for Political Research,
Weeks, Liam; (2007) We don't like (to) party. Explaining the significance of Independents in Irish Politics. [Oral Presentation], The General Conference of the European Consortium for Political Research, Pisa, Italy , 05-SEP-07 - 08-SEP-07. [Details]
(2007)First Annual International Conference of Minor Parties, Independent Politicians, Voter Associations and Political Associations in Politics,
Weeks, Liam; (2007) We don't like (to) party. Explaining the significance of Independents in Irish politics. [Oral Presentation], First Annual International Conference of Minor Parties, Independent Politicians, Voter Associations and Political Associations in Politics, NA , 29-NOV-07 - 01-DEC-07. [Details]
(2006)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2006) PR-STV and the random surplus. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Cork , 20-OCT-06 - 22-OCT-06. [Details]
(2006)Joint Sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research,
Weeks, Liam; (2006) When parties are not the only party in town: Independent actors in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Joint Sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research, Nicosia, Cyprus , 25-APR-06 - 30-APR-06. [Details]
(2005)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2005) Campaigning at the 2004 local elections. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Belfast , 21-OCT-05 - 23-OCT-05. [Details]
(2005)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2005) Why Independents? The weakness of party MPs. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Belfast , 21-OCT-05 - 23-OCT-05. [Details]
(2004)Annual Postgraduate Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2004) Explaining the vote for Independents. [Oral Presentation], Annual Postgraduate Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Belfast , 18-JUN-04 - 20-JUN-04. [Details]
(2004)Joint Sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research,
Weeks, Liam; (2004) Independents in Government: the Irish case. [Oral Presentation], Joint Sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research, Uppsala , 13-APR-04 - 18-APR-04. [Details]
(2004)American Political Science Association,
Weeks, Liam; (2004) Voting for Independents under STV elections: the Irish experience. [Oral Presentation], American Political Science Association, Chicago , 02-SEP-04 - 05-SEP-04. [Details]
(2003)Annual Postgraduate Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2003) Why do people vote Independent in Ireland?. [Oral Presentation], Annual Postgraduate Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, Dublin , 20-JUN-03 - 20-JUN-03. [Details]
(2003)Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland,
Weeks, Liam; (2003) Explaining the Independent vote at the 2002 election. [Oral Presentation], Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association of Ireland, NA , 16-OCT-03 - 18-OCT-03. [Details]
(2008)Dublin seminar,
Weeks, Liam; (2008) Political campaigns. [Oral Presentation], Dublin seminar, European parliament offices, Dublin , 01-FEB-08 - 01-FEB-08. [Details]

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences - Academic Development Committee Member2017 /
Quality Promotion -Department of Government and Politics Committee Member2017 / 2017
Postgraduate Applications Committee 2008 / 2010
Research Committee 2009 / 2010
Executive Committee, Political Studies Association of Ireland 2006 / 2009
Politics Board of Studies Member2014 / 2015
Teaching and Curriculum Development Member2014 /
Graduate Studies Committee Member2014 /

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
Department of Government Lecturer in politics01-SEP-06 /
Department of Political Science, TCD Temporary lecturer01-JAN-05 / 01-JAN-06

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2009University College Cork Postgrad Dip in Teaching & Learning in HETeaching and Learning in Higher Education
2008TCD PHDPolitical Science
2004TCD Postgraduate Diploma in StatisticsStatistics
2001TCD B.A. (HONS) HISTORY & POLITICAL SCIENCEHistory and Political Science

Outreach Activities

 Description

March 2014: Keynote speaker at meeting of Independent Network, Teachers' Club, Parnell Square, Dublin January 2014: Keynote speaker at Peoples' Convention, Metropole Hotel, Cork
June 2012: Academic expert to technical group of independents in Dáil Éireann
November 2009: expert witness to Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution
May 2009: Keynote speaker to Third Sector Forum on local elections

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
European Journal Of Political Research Editor01-JAN-12 -
Irish Political Studies Editor01-JAN-05 - 01-JAN-08
European Journal Of Political Research Referee01-JAN-06 - 01-JAN-08
Party Politics Referee01-JAN-06 - 01-JAN-08
Comparative Political Studies Referee01-JAN-06 - 01-JAN-08
Irish Political Studies Referee01-JAN-06 - 01-JAN-08
Irish Political Studies Series Editor01-JAN-05 - 01-JAN-08
Australian Journal Of Political Science Referee-
British Journal Of Politics And International Relations Referee-
Local Government Studies Referee-
Government And Opposition Referee-

Other Activities

 Description

Completed courses at Summer School of European Consortium of Political Research, July 29-August 14 2010, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia:
  • Quantitative Text Analysis
  • Introduction to R

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

PhD Supervision
Liam is available to supervise PhD students in the areas of comparative politics, especially elections, electoral systems and voting behaviour. He also welcomes proposals on most aspects of Irish politics.     
                     
Current Modules 
GV2218 -European Government & Politics
GV2241 -Elections and Voting
PO3001 -Politics dissertation
GV4414 -Contemporary Debates in Irish Politics
GV6118 -Political Science Research Methods
GV6121 -Comparative Political Institutions

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2020Cathal Mullaney UCCFriends and Neighbours Voting
2015George Cummins UCCMComm Government & Public Policy
2018Nuala Shaw UCCIndependent politics

Current Postgraduate Students

 StudentDegree Type
Board Nathan John Doctoral Degree
Farrington Patricia Ann Masters Degree by Research

Contact details

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Department of Government & Politics

Roinn Léann an Rialtais agus na Polaitíochta

2nd Floor, Block B, O'Rahilly Building, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland,

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