Dr Samuel A. T. Johnston is an ERC Fellow in Politics at University College Dublin, contributing to the ELECT project. He completed his PhD at Trinity College Dublin in 2022. His research focuses on two primary areas: the dynamics of election campaigns and the European Union's influence on political parties.

In the context of election campaigns, Dr Johnston has published work on competition between green and radical right parties, as well as the impact of low information on campaign strategies. Regarding the EU's effect on political parties, his PhD thesis explored how the EU shapes the forms of nationalism employed by political parties. Challenging conventional assumptions about the EU’s influence, his research suggests that rather than EU integration provoking a backlash that emphasizes nationalism centered on the central state—such as anti-immigration rhetoric, anti-minority appeals, or kin-state nationalism—the EU discourages these forms and instead incentivizes a focus on sub-national identities.

Beyond these core research areas, Dr Johnston also investigates and publishes on topics related to Ireland, the UK, and the EU. His research has appeared in esteemed academic journals such as West European Politics, Party Politics, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, and Irish Political Studies. His PhD thesis was supported by funding from the Irish Research Council.

Dr Johnston’s teaching experience aligns closely with his research interests. He has taught undergraduate and Master’s-level modules on the EU, Irish and Northern Irish politics, and party politics.