Patrick Utz

Patrick Utz is a Research Fellow and PhD candidate at the Centre on Constitutional Change, University of Edinburgh, within the School of Social and Political Science. He specializes in territorial politics, party politics, and European integration, with a particular focus on kin-minority parties and cross-border cooperation in Europe.

Education

• MA Political Science (with distinction), University of Vienna (2014-2016)
• BA Romance studies (Spanish & Portuguese) (with distinction), University of Vienna (2010-2015)
• BA Political Science (with distinction), University of Vienna (2010-2014)

Research Interests

Patrick's research focuses on how European integration modifies the territorial demands of kin-minority parties in Western Europe. He investigates how the 'softening' of borders has led kin-minority parties to abandon irredentist claims in favor of functional cross-border cooperation. His doctoral research examines cases from South Tyrol (Italy) and Northern Ireland through qualitative analysis of party manifestos, interviews with political elites, and parliamentary debates.

His work demonstrates that kin-minority parties across the political spectrum - including previously Eurosceptic parties like South Tyrolean Liberty Movement and Sinn Féin - endorse functional integration with kin-states even during periods of European integration crisis, such as the 2015/16 migration crisis and Brexit.

Publication Trends

Patrick's publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining European integration's impact on territorial politics and minority representation. His work spans comparative case studies of South Tyrol and Northern Ireland, analyzing how European integration has transformed kin-minority party strategies. Rather than pursuing irredentist claims, these parties increasingly advocate for cross-border functional cooperation while accepting existing state borders. His research connects broader European integration processes with localized political dynamics in minority regions.

Scientific Awards

• UACES & James Madison Charitable Trust Scholarship for PhD research on 'Kin-minority parties in a (dis)integrating Europe'
• Shortlisted as best master's thesis 2016/17 by the Austrian Political Science Association for 'Re-integrating Tyrol? Regionalist parties in South Tyrol and their responses to European Integration'

Teaching and Research Activities

Patrick teaches undergraduate courses including 'Introduction to British Politics,' 'British Politics - Beginning of the End,' 'Introduction to Politics and International Relations,' and 'Politics in a Changing World.' His fieldwork includes extensive research in South Tyrol (conducting 16 interviews with political figures) and research at the Historical Archives of the European Parliament in Luxembourg. He has presented findings at academic conferences including UACES 2018 in Bath.

Research Centers

Patrick is affiliated with the Centre on Constitutional Change at the University of Edinburgh, a leading research center on constitutional issues in the UK and beyond. During fieldwork, he was also affiliated as a guest researcher with the European Academy Bolzano in South Tyrol, facilitating valuable connections with regional scholars and political actors.