RCID’s Jennifer Duck Brown interviews Richard English on her podcast “Grounded on Purpose”

In the latest episode of her podcast, Grounded on Purpose, PhD candidate Jennifer Duck Brown interviews Richard English, Professor of Politics at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he is also Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace. They have a serious and timely discussion of political violence and nationalism. 

You can listen to the episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded-on-purpose/id1590689897?i=1000584745319.

Here’s the episode’s introduction: 

“I’m so thrilled to join you this month from Queen’s University, Belfast.

I spent two weeks in Northern Ireland learning more about the history, the people, and the politics. There’s so much to take in and it’s truly such a beautiful and resilient place.

As I sit across the pond and watch U.S. divisions dominate headlines, family conversations, and social media feeds, I’m grateful to learn more about a region that has one of the most prominent peace deals in modern political history.

However, this came at a huge cost, and the people in Northern Ireland have told me they worry that the U.S. will fall into a similar violent history if we continue to let extreme polarization take over our lives.

Joining me for this special interview is Richard English, Professor of Politics at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he is also Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice. Richard’s research focuses on the history of political violence, terrorism, and nationalism. He has authored several books focusing on Irish Freedom as well as the IRA.

As the United States has reached an unprecedented point of polarization in this current century, Richard explains so eloquently how history can help us avoid a tipping point. “You can hear echoes of what’s happened elsewhere and possibly even pre-echoes of what might happen elsewhere in these layered situations of political polarization and division,” Richard explains.

Never has there been a more important time to tune in. Thank you as always for listening.”