William Phelan

Professor William Phelan is a Professor of Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. He specializes in European Union law, constitutional governance, and judicial biography. His research focuses on the EU's unique legal order and the interplay between political institutions and international cooperation. He directs the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for EU Law, Politics & Constitutional Governance (2020-2023) and previously held a Jean Monnet Chair (2017-2020). His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Brian Farrell Book Prize (2016) and inclusion in leading legal journals' annual recommendations.

Phelan's research explores how encompassing domestic political institutions enable costly international cooperation without traditional retaliation mechanisms. His key project 'Europe's Constitution: Encompassing Institutions and International Public Goods' (IRCHSS-funded, 2008-2010) advanced theories linking domestic political structures to EU legal effectiveness. He has published extensively on ECJ jurisprudence, legal philosophy, and the role of constitutional courts in shaping EU law.

• Awards: Inner Temple Book Prize (2022), JuristenZeitung 'Legal Books of the Year' (2021), EJIL '10 Good Reads' (2020)
• Grants: €38,000 IRCHSS Grant (2008-2010), European Commission Jean Monnet Chair (2017-2020)
• Labs/Teams: Directs Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (2020-2023)

His advising and grant work spans EU legal-political integration, with recent focus on judicial biography and legal philosophy. Over 21 peer-reviewed publications reflect his interdisciplinary approach to EU law, political economy, and constitutional studies.