Niall Whelehan

Niall Whelehan is a Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Strathclyde, leading the History Subject Area. He specializes in modern Irish history, political violence, migration, and diaspora studies, with a focus on transnational contexts. His research explores themes such as radical networks, land reform, and anarchist movements in Ireland and its diaspora.

Whelehan holds a doctorate from the European University Institute and has held positions at Bielefeld University, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Edinburgh. His recent book, Changing Land: Diaspora Activism and the Irish Land War, examines transnational activism in Ireland and communities across Scotland, England, the U.S., and Argentina. He is currently researching Irish migration to Argentina and collaborates on projects like Bring Your Own Hammer, blending history with music and public engagement.

His academic contributions include studies on the Irish Land War, Sacco and Vanzetti’s defense campaign, and youth mobilization in 19th-century Ireland and Italy. He teaches modules on the Irish diaspora, global terrorism, and colonialism. His work has been funded by grants from the British Academy and Royal Society of Edinburgh.

• Education: Ph.D., European University Institute, Florence
• Projects:
  • The 'Conquest of the Desert': Irish and British migrants in Argentina’s colonial violence (British Academy & Royal Society of Edinburgh)
  • Demography and excess mortality in 19th-century Ireland (collaborative)
• Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Intra-European Fellowship

Whelehan’s public history projects include 'Screening Irish History' film series and contributions to Irish Times and RTE Brainstorm. He actively mentors PhD students in Irish diaspora, political violence, and colonial studies.