As part of the democracy team, I report on the dynamic relationship between citizens and their institutions in Switzerland and abroad.
Born in Ireland, I have a BA in European Studies and MA in International Relations. I've been at SWI swissinfo.ch since 2017.
‘It’s political’: why some people refuse to have a smartphone
This content was published on
Almost two decades after the first iPhone, not everyone is ready to go fully digital. We talk to three people sceptical of the always-online life.
Why the AfD is keen on Switzerland’s direct democracy
This content was published on
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has long advocated for “Swiss-style” direct democracy. What does the party hope to achieve with this?
Social media fragmentation: do online platforms drown democracy in noise?
This content was published on
With online platforms under pressure and AI set to flood the internet with content, is it all over for the ideal of a harmonious digital public sphere?
This content was published on
Citizens have said a clear no to an ambitious proposal by the Young Greens to bring the country’s economy into line with “planetary boundaries”.
What does 2025 hold in store for democracy around the world?
This content was published on
Disinformation, election manipulation and online hate are unlikely to disappear – but some signs of hope for democracy can still be found.
This content was published on
Drones, conflict, and new life: Swiss midwife Tamara Bonc describes what it's like to work in the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah.
Seven ways the ECHR has shaped Swiss law over the years
This content was published on
From surname rules to asbestos claims, the European Court on Human Rights has rapped Switzerland’s knuckles some 140 times since 1974.
Happy anniversary? Switzerland marks 50 years at the ECHR
This content was published on
Half a century after Swiss ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights, the treaty is under pressure across the continent.
How much protest should a democratic state accept?
This content was published on
Attention-grabbing stunts by climate activists have tested the limits of legitimate action in Switzerland and elsewhere. How should judges react?
AI on trial – who’s responsible when the algorithms mess up?
This content was published on
What happens when public prosecutors bring charges directly against artificial intelligence itself? A mock trial in Geneva recently found out.
Democracy promotion: latest US efforts spark Swiss enthusiasm
This content was published on
Since 2022, Washington has been funding nations it judges to be democratic “bright spots”. Switzerland is also getting involved.
Milo Rau: democracy is an ’agora open to everyone who isn’t a criminal’
This content was published on
On the International Day of Democracy, Switzerland’s most controversial theatre director talks about the “ritual” of public votes and the global state of political participation.
Insults and threats are everyday features of Swiss local politics, study shows
This content was published on
Aggressive incidents are far from the exception for Swiss politicians, even at the most face-to-face local level – but physical attacks remain rare.
Swiss government rebuffs ECHR climate ruling: next stop Strasbourg
This content was published on
Five months after human rights judges took Switzerland to task, the government has hit back – Swiss policies are not inadequate, it says.
Swiss direct democracy is Eurovision’s latest challenge
This content was published on
As the country gets closer to naming the city to host next year’s Eurovision, political and financial wrangles have entered the fray.
Swiss job market: cooling down, but labour shortages remain
This content was published on
After several years of acute labour shortages, is the Swiss job market on its way towards a reprieve? Not quite, say analysts.
This content was published on
Ex-Interior Minister Alain Berset is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the historic Strasbourg organisation. Who is Berset, and what’s in store for his five-year term?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
