In this ongoing series of short interviews, academics from the University of Cambridge and beyond shed light on the key issues to be considered in the run up to the upcoming referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.

This recording features Dr Julie Smith, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and member of the House of Lords. Dr Smith shares her perspective on the political structure and institutions of the EU, weighs up the concept of democratic deficiency, and considers the possible impact of the referendum.

This series has been created by the Centre for European Legal Studies (CELS). For more information visit http://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/