Daniel Cetrà

Daniel Cetrà's picture
Dr
Daniel
Cetrà
Job Title: 
Research Fellow
Organisation: 
University of Aberdeen
Phone Number: 
+44 131 6514736
Email Address: 
D.Cetra@ed.ac.uk
Biography: 

Follow me on Academia.edu

My research interests lie broadly in the study of nationalism. My current research at the Centre on Constitutional Change examines the meanings of Britishness and unionism in Brexit debates. Previous research has compared the evolution of minority nationalism and independence movements in Catalonia, Flanders, Scotland and the Basque Country. 

My doctoral research focused on the relationship between nationalism, liberalism and language from a combined political theory and political sociology perspective.

Qualifications

    PhD in Political Sociology (University of Edinburgh, 2016)
    MSc with Distinction Nationalism Studies (University of Edinburgh, 2011)
    BA with Honours in Political Science (Pompeu Fabra University, 2010)

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Publications

Books

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

 

 

 

 

Refereed Book Chapters 

Book Reviews

 

 

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Teaching Experience

Lecturer

  • 2014-19. 'Nationalism in Modern Europe' [Honours] (University of Aberdeen)

Guest Lecturer

  • 2015-19. Comparative Perspectives in Nationalism Studies [postgraduate course] (University of Edinburgh, UoE)
  • 2016-18. Nations and Nationalism [Honours and postgraduate course] (UoE)
  • 2016-18. Comparing Scottish Devolution [postgraduate course] (UoE).

Senior Tutor

  • 2012-14: 'Democracy in Comparative Perspective' [undergraduate] (UoE)
  • 2012-14: 'Introduction to Politics & International Relations' [undergraduate] (UoE)*

      * Nominated for the EUSA Teaching Awards 2012-13

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Invited Talks

  • 2019. 'Sub-state Nationalism and the EU', given at Redefining Regions in Europe, Danube University Krems, 23-24 January 2019.
  • 2018. 'Sub-state Nationalism in Europe', given at the ‘Brexit Summit’ organised by the Glasgow City Council, 2 October 2018. 
  • 2016. ‘Debates within Liberal Nationalism: The Linguistic Disputes in Catalonia and Flanders’, given at the MultiCite Research Group Seminar Series, University of Geneva, 21 April. Discussant: François Grin.
  • 2014. ‘Catalonia and Scotland: Similar Goals, Different Paths’, given at the session Small Nations and Big Ideas as part of Imagination: Scotland’s First Festival of Ideas, Glasgow, 7 September.
  • 2013. ‘Scottish Autonomy’, given at the session Meglio Soli o Accompagnati? La Governance dell’autonomia in Europa, Officina dell’autonomia, Trento, 13 May.

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Conference Presentations

 

  • 2018. 'The (Im)possibility of Liberal Nationalism in the Age of Trump and the Catalan Conundrum - Moving Beyond the Binaries of Nationalism Studies', University of Edinburgh, 24-26 May.
  • 2017. ‘The Politics of Language and Nationalism’, presented at the RC50 IPSA conference The Politics of Multilingualism: Possibilities and Challenges, Amsterdam, 22-24 May.
  • 2017. ‘Explaining different state responses to independence demands: the cases of the UK and Spain’, to be presented at the 67th BSA Annual Conference Politics in Interesting Times, Glasgow, 10-12 April.
  • 2016. 'Our Language, Our Rules? Nationalism and Linguistic Disputes in Catalonia and Flanders', presented at the 24th IPSA World Congress Politics in a World of Inequality. July 23-28, Poznán, Poland.
  • 2015. 'Language Rights and Territory: The Case of the Flemish Periphery of Brussels', presented at the IPSA Conference Rethinking Territoriality: Between Independence and Interdependence. University of Edinburgh.
  • 2015. 'Nationalism and Linguistic Disputes: The Case of Catalonia', presented at the ECPR General Conference. Université de Montréal.
  • 2013. 'Political Liberalism versus Linguistic Nationalism? Examining the Contested Claims on Linguistic Justice in Catalonia and Flanders', presented at Language policies in multilingual societies: can the conflict be avoided? Pablo de Olavide University, Seville.
  • 2012. 'Our Language, Our Rules? Assessing the Compatibility between the Linguistic Regimes in Catalonia and Flanders and the Politico-Moral Principles of Liberalism', presented at the 22nd Annual ASEN Conference, Nationalism, Ethnicity and Boundaries. London School of Economics (LSE)..

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Media Contributions

Interviews 

'Catalan academic fighting extradition from Scotland stirs nationalist tension', Reuters, 27-03-2018 (quoted).

'Spain-Catalonia: How can the constitutional crisis be resolved?', The Scotsman, 27-03-2018 (quoted).

'Newsdrive', BBC Radio Scotland, 26-03-2018.

'The World Tonight', BBC Radio 4, 31-10-2017.

'Good Morning Scotland', BBC Radio Scotland, 28-10-2017.

'STV News Tonight', STV, 27-10-2017.

'Scotland Tonight', STV, 19-10-2017.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (RSG), 17-10-2017.

'Newsdrive', BBC Radio Scotland, 04-10-2017.

'Representing Border', ITV Border, 03-10-2017.

'Good Morning Scotland', BBC Radio Scotland, 23-09-2017.

'Spain ramps up its crackdown on Catalan independence vote', The Herald, 22-09-2017 (quoted).

'Scotland Tonight', STV, 20-09-2017.

'Representing Border', ITV Border, 19-09-2017.

'Informativos EiTB' (Basque public TV), 18-09-2017.

'Why Catalonia's independence vote is "very different" from Scotland's', The Scotsman, 14-09-2017.

 
En Jake, EiTB (Basque public TV), 08-06-2017.
 
Boulevard, Radio Euskadi (Basque public radio station), 08-06-2017.

 

World in Focus, Radio Sputnik UK, 04-04-2017.

'El "Brexit" pone a prueba la cohesión política del Reino Unido', EFE (Spanish News Agency(, 16-03-2017 (quoted).

'El Brexit dur aboca Escòcia a un nou però molt incert referèndum', Diari Ara (Catalan newspaper), 18-01-2017 (quoted).

‘Catalonia still asking for independence’, EU Observer, 12-09-2016 (quoted).

Boulevard, Radio Euskadi (Basque radio station), 23-06-2016

'L'SNP repeteix victòria a Escòcia però es queda a tocar de la majoria absoluta', Nació Digital (Catalan online newspaper), 06-05-2016

Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland, 13-01-2016 (47.30 mins in)

Representing Border, ITV Border, 12-01-2016 (16.48 mins in)

Representing Border, ITV Border, 10-09-2015 (10.05 mins in)

‘Catalans eye new independence “referendum”’, Al Jazeera, 29-01-2015 (quoted)

Ganbara, Radio Euskadi (Basque radio station), 14-11-2014

Sunday Politics Scotland, BBC One, 09-11-2014

Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland, 07-11-2014

‘Scotland votes “No” but others still say “Yes”’, Ozy, 20-09-2014 (quoted)

Hoy por Hoy, Cadena SER (Spanish radio station), 19-09-2014.

‘Le référendum en Écosse sous la loupe des indépendantistes à travers le monde’, L’Orient Le Jour (Lebanese newspaper), 18-09-2014

NTN24 (Latin America news channel), 18-09-2014

El Món a Rac 1, Rac 1 (Catalan radio station), 18-09-2014

‘Debate: qué tan distintos son Escocia e Inglaterra?’, BBC Mundo, 17-09-2014 (online chat)

‘Es poco factible que el Gobierno español vete la entrada de Escocia en la Unión Europea’, DEIA (Basque newspaper), 13-09-2014

 

Press Articles and Blog Posts

'Catalonia at a Crossroads', Centre on Constitutional Change blog, 27-03-2018.

'Catalonia's "difficult balancing act"', The Herald, 12-10-2017.

'How will Spain respond to a Catalan independence vote?', The Herald, 04-10-2017.

'Comparing Scotland and Catalonia's bid for independence', The Herald, 13-09-2017.

'El dilema d'un segon referèndum a Escòcia', El Punt Avui (Catalan newspaper), 09-12-2016

‘Roadmaps and gridlock: the drive for Catalan independence’, CCC Blog, 12-09-2016.

'Catalan elections: three possible scenarios that could shape Catalonia's future', LSE EUROPP Blog, 24-09-2015

'Decision Time for Catalonia', Centre on Constitutional Change, 29-07-2015 

'Labour’s coalition dilemma has Spanish echoes', Centre on Constitutional Change, 16-03-2015

'A symbolic and non-binding vote on independence in Catalonia', The Future of the UK and Scotland, 10-11-2014

'Catching the Referendum bug', The Future of the UK and Scotland, 01-10-2014

'Spain is unlikely to veto an independent Scotland’s EU membership', LSE EUROPP Blog, 15-09-2014

'Scotland vote may change little in Catalonia – but Cameron’s an unlikely hero there', The Conversation, 13-09-2014

'The Flemish Nationalists may have been successful in Sunday's (other) elections, but it will be a bumpy road to government', Political Studies Association Blog, 29-05-2014

'Belgium won't split after Sunday's elections, but it could take a step in that direction', The Conversation, 20-05-2014

'Quebec's Election', The Future of the UK and Scotland, 15-04-2014

'Catalonia deadlocked as nationalists plan new offensive', The Conversation, 02-04-2014

 

Community Involvement 

Book Reviews Editor. Regional and Federal Studies, 2018 – present. 
 
Member. IPSA Research Committee 50 (RC50) The Politics of Language.
 
Assistant Editor. Regional and Federal Studies, 2012 – 2017.

Moderator. Fulbright Roundtable with Professor Michael Ignatieff, 7 June 2016, Edinburgh.

Participant. Summer School ‘Politics in Fragmented Societies: Cohesion, Recognition, Redistribution and Secession’, co-organised by the Institute for Minority Rights (EURAC) and the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Bozen / Bolzano, 15-26 June 2015.

Discussant. Workshop ‘Recognition and Redistribution in Multinational Federations’, organised by the Research Group in Political Philosophy of KU Leuven, 2-4 May 2013.

Organiser. Workshop ‘Crossing Perspectives: Concepts and Methods in the Study of Nationalism’, 11 November 2011, Edinburgh.

Member. Territorial Politics Research Group, University of Edinburgh.
Project Job Role: 
Research Fellow, Centre on Constitutional Change
Expertise: 
Nationalism
Territorial politics
Scotland
Catalonia
Flanders
Basque Country

History

Blog
View recent blog entries
Member for
4 years 10 months

Posts by this author:

Breaking‐up within Europe: Sub‐state Nationalist Strategies in Multilevel Polities

Authors: Daniel Cetrà and Robert Liñeira This article examines sub‐state nationalist strategies in relation to European integration in the Basque Country, Catalonia, Flanders and Scotland. First, we discuss the impact of European and economic integration on sovereignty and the cost of independence f... Read more
Post type: Publication

Explaining accommodation and resistance to demands for independence referendums in the UK and Spain

Authors: Daniel Cetrà and Malcolm Harvey This article examines why the UK Government accepted the 2014 Scottish independence referendum while the Spanish Government opposes a similar referendum in Catalonia. Adopting a most similar research design, we argue that the variation is best explained by pe... Read more
Post type: Publication

Catalonia at a Crossroads

With both sides in the Catalan dispute seeing the world from mutually exclusive perspectives, says Daniel Cetra, there is no clear way of finding a way forward.    This is yet another significant episode in the greatest constitutional crisis in Spain since the restoration of democracy.    There is a... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

How will Spain respond to Catalan independence vote?

Daniel Cetrà on how the main political consequence of Sunday’s events is that the Spanish Government has lost the battle of legitimacy in Catalonia.This article originally appeared in The Herald. Their response proved both repressive and ineffective, and the Catalan government has gained significant... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

Comparing Scotland and Catalonia's bid for independence

Although there are apparent similarities between the Scottish and Catalan independence movements, the differences, argues Dr Daniel Cetrà, are profound.    It is tempting to think of Catalonia and Scotland as being in similar position.   Both have pro-independence governments, which enjoy parliament... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

Roadmaps and Gridlock: The drive for Catalan independence

Daniel Cetrà discusses yesterday's gathering in Catalonia. He explains that the Catalan pro-independence camp remains highly mobilised and that the Catalan and Spanish political situations are complex and interconnected. Hundreds of thousands of Catalans gathered yesterday in five cities, including... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

Decision Time for Catalonia

The forthcoming election in Catalonia will see pro-independence parties and civil society groups join forces under a banner of declaring independence if they secure a majority. Their mandate for doing so is contested by Spain and, says Daniel Cetra, that makes the exercise very different from the Sc... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

Labour’s coalition dilemma has Spanish echoes

Anyone watching the Labour leadership’s refusal to rule out a post-election agreement with the SNP, would be forgiven for thinking such an arrangement was unique. However, explains Daniel Cetrà, pro-independence parties offering support to minority governments is nothing new – as evidenced by Spain.... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

A symbolic and non-binding vote on independence in Catalonia

Yesterday there was a symbolic and non-binding vote on independence in Catalonia. In a festive atmosphere, 2.3 million Catalans made their way to polling stations. Voters were asked two questions: whether Catalonia should be a state, and if they replied yes, whether it should be an independent state... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

Catching the Referendum bug

The effects of the independence referendum are playing out beyond Holyrood, Westminster and the party conferences. The 19th of September also saw Catalonia, itself no stranger to constitutional debates, enter a new stand-off with Madrid. The dispute has once again set the Spanish Prime Minister on a... Read more
Post type: Blog entry

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Latest blogs

  • Brexit, Devolution and the UK Internal Market

    19th February 2019
    Devolution; Brexit; Intergovernmental Relations

    Over the course of the UK’s preparations for withdrawing from the EU, the issue of the UK’s own internal market has emerged as an issue of concern, and one that has the potentially significant consequences for devolution. Dr Jo Hunt of Cardiff University examines the implications.

  • Territorial politics, identities and the constitution: setting Brexit in perspective

    12th February 2019
    Devolution; Brexit; Intergovernmental Relations

    CCC Fellow Professor Daniel Wincott of Cardiff University examines how Brexit processes have already reshaped territorial politics in the UK and changed its territorial constitution.

  • Hill Farming

    Agriculture Faces Uncertain Future after Brexit

    7th February 2019
    Devolution; Brexit; Intergovernmental Relations

    The future of agriculture policy across the United Kingdom after Brexit is uncertain and risky, according to a new paper by Professor Michael Keating of the Centre on Constitutional Change. Reforms of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy over recent years have shifted the emphasis from farming to the broader concept of rural policy. As member states have gained more discretion in applying policy, the nations of the UK have also diverged, according to local conditions and preferences.

  • The Repatriation of Competences in Climate and Energy Policy after Brexit

    4th February 2019
    Devolution; Brexit; Intergovernmental Relations

    In our latest report for the "Repatriation of Competences: Implications for Devolution" project, Professor Nicola McEwen and Dr Alexandra Remond examine how, in the longer term, Brexit poses significant risks for the climate and energy ambitions of the devolved nations. These include the loss of European Structural and Investment Funds targeted at climate and low carbon energy policies, from which the devolved territories have benefited disproportionately. European Investment Bank loan funding, which has financed high risk renewables projects, especially in Scotland, may also no longer be as accessible, while future access to research and innovation funding remains uncertain. The removal of the EU policy framework, which has incentivised the low carbon ambitions of the devolved nations may also result in lost opportunities.

  • Brexit game-playing reaches new levels of complexity

    1st February 2019
    British & Scottish Politics; EU; Brexit

    The outcome of the various Commons votes this week left certain only that the Government would either secure an amended deal and put it to a meaningful vote on Wednesday 13 February, or in the overwhelmingly likely absence of this make a further statement that day and table another amendable motion for the following day, the Groundhog Day that may lead to a ‘St Valentine’s Day Massacre’ for one side or the other. Richard Parry assesses the further two-week pause in parliamentary action on Brexit

Read More Posts