Borders are fluid – sometimes physically, but more often intellectually, economically and emotional as definitions about belongings, sovereignty and power ebb and flow. These changes have defined Europe’s history. As the UK responds to challenges resulting from Brexit, migration and uncertain geopolitics, it is clear that living on the edge has dramatic effects on individuals, communities and the state.

Living On The Edge: Experiences and Responses to Europe’s Changing Borders

The ‘Living On The Edge’ project focuses on where Europe and the UK’s borders are and have been, and what a border means.

We connect new research on the experience of living in border communities in early modern history with contemporary policies about the reformulation of Britain’s and Europe’s borders post-Brexit. We question how individuals and communities living on the edges of Europe in the early modern period – especially in port cities and transport hubs – experienced trade, migration and sovereignty in their day-to-day lives. 

Through innovative research and interdisciplinary methodologies, we will demonstrate how borders and borderlands represent complex ecosystems; acting both as barriers and crossing-points, places of exchange and enforcement, and points of contact and conflict. By examining borders and borderlands, which are rapidly changing in the face of political, economic and migratory pressures, we will address the theme of ‘Europe’s futures.’

Outcomes

This research will lead to a co-authored article for the Historical Journal and the

development of a policy paper that will examine the implications of Brexit for the UK’s borders with Europe.

Uncovering the effects of changing borders in the past, we can present an analysis of borderlands from a very long chronological perspective, allowing us to better understand trade and migration borderlands today.

Investigating how Borderlands affect Europe and the UK today.

The implications of leaving the European Union will cause huge change in the conception and management of the Uk’s borders with respect to change and migration.

We are particularly interested in applying our research to assess to what degree a potential shift in maritime traffic from Dover to northern parts might act to rejuvenate these towns, many of which are very deprived.

We will also question how this might contribute to shifting in identities in what would become a type of border town.

Thirdly, we will analyse how this shift might influence hinterlands around the northern ports, in terms of generating opportunities for new business while increasing pressure on local infrastructure and social cohesion. 

From approaching these topics together, we can present the policy sector with an analysis that identifies some of the positive outcomes that might stem from the UK’s shifting borders. And too, we can raise awareness of the challenges that will emerge as these communities adapt to their new positions living on the edge of Europe.