🚨New Publication🚨I'm thrilled to share my latest article on the emotional (de)politicisation of the ‘Oxford’ covid vaccine and EU-UK relations, available on @IAJournal_CH's website🇬🇧🇪🇺 As always, it was a joy to work with @NGellwitzki on this project. https://t.co/BMRhFbGktX

Trending in #IR: https://t.co/LuNt1GmZM3 1) Oct 7 attack & IDF intelligence (@intelnatsecjnl) 2) Political economy of party tourism (@iajournal_ch) 3) Emotional politics of the ‘Oxford’ COVID vaccine 4) Future of liberalism (@CambridgeCRIA) 5) Whose age of anxiety? (@risjnl)

💉The “vaccine war” wasn’t just about doses, it was about identity, blame and Brexit. @AnneMarieHoude (@UniofOxford) & @NGellwitzki (@uniyorkpolitics @uniofyork) explore how emotions shaped UK politics during the Oxford vaccine rollout: https://t.co/QnOxNVKDle

Massive thank you to the special issue's editors, the Politics team, and the reviewers for making the publication process so smooth. A special thank you also to @NGellwitzki and @BenRosher for their feedback on an earlier draft of the paper.

These negative framings challenge the narrative of Global Britain, undermining national image, soft power, and status aspirations. However, the article also finds that such critiques are primarily directed at British politicians rather than the population or culture.

It introduces the concepts of emotional ascription and emotional expectations, and incorporates humour into the analysis. Drawing on international media, the article identifies two dominant portrayals: the UK as a pitied, “broken” country, and as a mocked “laughing stock.”

This article examines how foreign media have portrayed the UK in relation to these events, with a focus on the politics of emotions.

Over the last few years, the UK has faced a series of crises, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and a deepening cost-of-living crisis.

My latest article, "The Declining Kingdom? Emotional Ascription, Emotional Expectations, and Humour in the International Framing of the UK in Crisis”, is now available in @JournalPolitics as part of a special issue on Global Britain. 🇬🇧 https://t.co/6rUXGRddMI

Delighted to see this out! It was a real pleasure to co-author this piece with the brilliant @AnneMarieHoude on the emotional (de)politicisation of the ‘Oxford’ vaccine and its significance for EU–UK relations. It’s open access - do have a look! 🧵👇

Thank you to the editors and reviewers, and to Louis Stockwell for his feedback on an early draft of the article!

Our article shows how emotions drive (de)politicisation, shaping what is contested – and what is not. It contributes to debates on affect in IR, EU politicisation, and Brexit’s ongoing emotional resonance.

Domestically, emotional appeals depoliticised the government’s vaccine response. Internationally, those same emotions politicised EU–UK relations. This dual process reveals the emotional architecture of post-Brexit legitimacy.

We call this Gefühlspolitik: policymaking through emotion. The British public was entitled to feel proud. The EU was obligated to feel ashamed. These emotional claims shaped how blame and credit were distributed.

Meanwhile, EU concerns over safety were framed in British discourse as retribution, incompetence, or even spite. A vaccine war narrative emerged, casting Britain as a heroic underdog.

We unpack how emotions shaped the politics of the COVID-19 vaccine post-Brexit. We show that the UK media and government framed the 'Oxford' vaccine as proof that Brexit was right; a moment of national pride and vindication.

still space to join focus groups if you’re interested in talking about eurovision & politics for my research! all welcome but i’d especially love to hear from more folk in southern & eastern europe, south america & other rotw countries! sign up here:

Incredibly honoured to have received BISA Emotions in Politics Working Group's Best Thesis Prize! And to share it with the lovely @AnneMarieHoude! Double the honour 😊😊

Honoured to be this year’s winner of the @BISAWG_Emotions @mybisa best thesis prize, and to share this recognition with the amazing @DrUBaspehlivan ⭐️ Thank you to the judges!

Call for papers: @AnneMarieHoude & I are convening a workshop on "The global politics of hope" for the inaugural @MYBISA - @isanet workshop later this year. Pl share & consider applying! DEADLINE: 30 May, 2025 More details 👇 https://t.co/58FM7cDuW4