Supporting democracy through research and public engagement: Q&A with Anthony Trindle

30 Jan 2025

• From UCC to the Electoral Commission, Anthony Trindle shares his journey from studying Arts at UCC to working with the Electoral Commission.
• Anthony shares insights into his work on electoral research, public engagement, and representation in Ireland.
• He shares practical tips for Arts and Humanities students looking to make an impact in politics and civic engagement.

As part of our Alumni Series, we sit down with Anthony Trindle, a graduate of UCC’s Bachelor of Arts (International) in Irish and Geography, who now works as an Administrative Officer with the Electoral Commission.

With a passion for political geography and public policy, Anthony’s journey has taken him from studying geopolitics in Utrecht to researching electoral processes in Ireland.

In this Q&A, he reflects on how his studies, international experience, and postgraduate research helped shape his career in democracy and civic engagement, offering insights for Arts and Humanities students looking to make an impact in public service.

Anthony, you graduated from UCC with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts (International) in Irish and Geography, with time spent in Utrecht University. How did this combination of subjects and international experience influence your interest in politics and public policy?

Admittedly, I have had a keen interest in politics since about a decade before my first vote, but this interest was certainly deepened during my studies. I studied political geography in Utrecht and geopolitics in UCC as part of my degree, which in turn led me to a dissertation in electoral geography, looking at the causes of shifting voting patterns in Cork. It felt like a natural progression to transition into political science after that, and to explore what careers could be pursued in the fields of politics and public policy.

My studies of Irish, my position on An Chuallacht Ghaelach’s committee and my year on Erasmus contributed to this decision too. Studying and promoting a minority language, being exposed to the lived experiences of people in the Gaeltacht and becoming involved in advocacy for better rights and protections for Irish speakers were catalysts for an increased interest in the mechanics of public policy. Likewise, living in the Netherlands and getting to hear how people from around the world experience and engage with different political systems opened my eyes to the importance of political science and reform.

Pursuing an MSc in Government and Politics allowed you to delve deeper into complex political systems and policies. How did it help you transition from academic studies to a career focused on electoral and democratic processes, research and public engagement?

The broad range of modules provided by the MSc Government and Politics gave me an overview of political institutions and processes both at home and abroad, but what was perhaps more important was what it taught me about the challenges affecting people as they engage with politics. Becoming more aware of the difficulties faced by certain groups in our democratic processes made me better equipped to work in the field of public engagement and when researching inclusion and representation.

Two of the most obvious benefits of the MSc were the dissertation and placement experiences. The former gave me a great foundation in topics relevant to my current work, as well as honing my research skills. The latter provided me with work experience in the Electoral Commission, an organisation that hasn’t managed to get rid of me since.

Your role at the Irish Electoral Commission involves promoting public awareness and participation in democratic processes.  What aspects of this role do you find most rewarding?

I am lucky to work on the Commission’s research team, which is one of our most exciting functions. Getting to research immensely important questions pertaining to our democracy, research which may lead to our political system being changed for the better, is certainly gratifying. Getting to be the Commission’s Irish language spokesperson has also been a highlight; getting to spread important messages through the language that I love is a unique experience.

Finally, I have loved working on our Post Electoral Event Reviews which examine the administration of electoral events, the first of their kind in the history of the State. In particular, we place a focus on visiting polling stations across the country and investigating how these stations and the process within could be made more accessible for voters with disabilities.

For Arts and Humanities students considering careers in public service or roles that engage with democracy and civic engagement, do you have any advice on how to make the most of their time at university?

A few things. If you can, do a dissertation to improve your research and paper writing skills. On the flipside of that, get involved in a class or society that requires you to get up in front of a room and present an argument, that will be important! If you’re in the position to do a placement, this can also be an invaluable opportunity to garner experience and, more importantly, figure out what you actually want to do after college.

Try to take some modules with a political edge, join a club or society that’s fighting for something you care about, and chat to as many people as you can (whether that be in lectures or in the smoking area at 2am).