The 2019 Political Studies Association (PSA) Awards ceremony, held this week in Westminster to recognize ‘those on the front lines in the battle for democracy and social justice’, saw School of SSESW academic Dr Katy Hayward named as the top Political Studies Communicator. The judges selected Katy for her ‘accessible communications on the topic of Northern Ireland and Brexit’. Katy Hayward is a much requested speaker in many media formats due to her work spanning twenty years on studying the impact of the EU on the Irish border and the peace process.

The Political Studies Association is a charity with membership across academia, education, policy-making and thought-leadership. It is the UK’s leading learned society, dedicated since 1950 to promoting the study and public understanding of politics. Its annual awards acknowledge members of the public, academics, campaigners, journalists and politicians who ‘have inspired us through their unwavering political courage, pursuit for the truth and above all their commitment to the democratic process’. Katy Hayward is among an extremely notable line-up of award winners including:

• RT Hon Hilary Benn MP (Parliamentarian of the Year)
• RT Hon John Bercow (Lifetime Achievement in Politics)
• Sir David Attenboroughand Extinction Rebellion (jointly awarded Campaigner of the Year)
• Emma Vardy (Journalist of the Year)
• Andrew Neil (Broadcaster of the Year)
• Lisa McGee (Contribution to the Arts and Culture Award for the sitcom Derry Girls)

Read more at https://www.psa.ac.uk/psa/news/psa-awards-results-2019-press-release