I have written here previously about how the Queen’s University sociologist Katy Hayward has emerged as one of the most pertinent experts about Brexit and the Irish Border. She is one of those academics who frames her contributions to public debate in as accessible a manner as possible so as to be of greatest value to public understanding and to political decision-making. Her arguments are always evidence-based; informed as they are by her extensive research among border communities.

This week Dr Hayward deserves a special mention for her patience. Last Wednesday she spent more than two hours in Westminster giving detailed evidence to the House of Commons committee on Exiting the European Union.