Committee
The British and Irish Section is run by an elected committee of up to thirteen members, and the committee may co-opt a further three members. The Chairman and the committee are elected at the Annual General Meeting which is held during the Annual Conference each year. The conduct of the business of the Section is governed by the Constitution.
Section Officers
Dr Declan Jordan (Chair)
Declan Jordan is Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Senior Lecturer in Economics at Cork University Business School. He is a current research associate and former co-Director of the Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre. He is also a member of the Centre for Sports Economics and Law. Declan's research interests include regional and urban economics, business innovation, regional development and competitiveness, sustainable mobility and climate action, and sports economics. He has published widely in these areas in international peer reviewed journals.
Declan Jordan is Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Senior Lecturer in Economics at Cork University Business School. He is a current research associate and former co-Director of the Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre. He is also a member of the Centre for Sports Economics and Law. Declan's research interests include regional and urban economics, business innovation, regional development and competitiveness, sustainable mobility and climate action, and sports economics. He has published widely in these areas in international peer reviewed journals.
Dr Matt Lyons (Secretary)
Matt is a Research Fellow at City-REDI at the University of Birmingham. He is responsible for developing the team’s regional economic modelling capabilities whilst supporting projects across WMREDI. He is an economic geographer with a specialism in regional economic development, completing his PhD at Cardiff University. Matt’s PhD describes the extent to which the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal can address the economic development problems of South East Wales through a focus on the creative economy. He holds an MSc in Social Science Research Methods from Cardiff University and a BSc in Economics from the University of Plymouth. He has consulted on research projects across various areas, from healthcare inequalities to monetary systems reform.
Matt is a Research Fellow at City-REDI at the University of Birmingham. He is responsible for developing the team’s regional economic modelling capabilities whilst supporting projects across WMREDI. He is an economic geographer with a specialism in regional economic development, completing his PhD at Cardiff University. Matt’s PhD describes the extent to which the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal can address the economic development problems of South East Wales through a focus on the creative economy. He holds an MSc in Social Science Research Methods from Cardiff University and a BSc in Economics from the University of Plymouth. He has consulted on research projects across various areas, from healthcare inequalities to monetary systems reform.
Dr Maria Plotnikova (Treasurer)
Dr. Maria Plotnikova is a lecturer in economics at Aberystwyth Business School. She received her PhD at the University of Illinois and has been successful in attracting a number of funding awards, including Horizon 2020 and ESRC funded awards on spatial justice and inequality in Europe and poverty and vulnerability in Wales. Maria's research interests are in Regional and Urban economics, economics of poverty and inequality, as well as economics of housing in transition economies.
Dr. Maria Plotnikova is a lecturer in economics at Aberystwyth Business School. She received her PhD at the University of Illinois and has been successful in attracting a number of funding awards, including Horizon 2020 and ESRC funded awards on spatial justice and inequality in Europe and poverty and vulnerability in Wales. Maria's research interests are in Regional and Urban economics, economics of poverty and inequality, as well as economics of housing in transition economies.
Dr Tasos Kitsos (Membership Secretary)Tasos Kitsos is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Economics at the Department of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship at Aston University and the lead for the Digital Economy and Innovation theme at the Centre for Business Prosperity. He previously held research posts in the University of Birmingham, Plymouth University, LSE, and University of Macedonia. He has non-academic work experience in the public and private sector and his research focuses on the spatial manifestation of socioeconomic phenomena with a focus on regional development.
Comitteee Members
Dr Grant Allan
Grant is a Reader in the Department of Economics at the University of Stathclyde. Grant's research interests are in applied multisectoral economic analysis and modelling, particularly in the areas of environment, energy and tourism. He is Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes for the Department of Economics and also Director of MSc in Applied Economics (full and part-time), MSc in Applied Economics by distance learning and MSc in Economics and Finance.
Grant is a Reader in the Department of Economics at the University of Stathclyde. Grant's research interests are in applied multisectoral economic analysis and modelling, particularly in the areas of environment, energy and tourism. He is Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes for the Department of Economics and also Director of MSc in Applied Economics (full and part-time), MSc in Applied Economics by distance learning and MSc in Economics and Finance.
Professor Peter Batey
Peter Batey has been the Lever Professor of Town and Regional Planning since 1989. A graduate in geography, Peter also holds a masters degree in planning (MCD) and a doctorate in regional science. Peter worked in local authorities in the North West (Lancashire and Greater Manchester) before joining the Department of Civic Design at the University in 1975. A former Fulbright Scholar, Peter has an international reputation for his work in urban and regional analysis, particularly in the fields of demographic-economic modelling and geodemographics. In 1997-98 Peter served as World President of the Regional Science Association International and in 2000 he was elected an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences. He serves as an editor of the Town Planning Review and he has played an active role in urban and regional affairs, notably as government-appointed independent chair of the 25-year Mersey Basin Campaign, one of the North West's most successful cross-sector partnerships, 2004-2010. Since 2011 he has served as Director of the North West Doctoral Training Centre that organises and funds PhD research in the social sciences in Liverpool, Lancaster and Manchester universities. Also in 2011, Peter was elected Chairman of Governors at Merchant Taylors Schools, Crosby.
Peter Batey has been the Lever Professor of Town and Regional Planning since 1989. A graduate in geography, Peter also holds a masters degree in planning (MCD) and a doctorate in regional science. Peter worked in local authorities in the North West (Lancashire and Greater Manchester) before joining the Department of Civic Design at the University in 1975. A former Fulbright Scholar, Peter has an international reputation for his work in urban and regional analysis, particularly in the fields of demographic-economic modelling and geodemographics. In 1997-98 Peter served as World President of the Regional Science Association International and in 2000 he was elected an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences. He serves as an editor of the Town Planning Review and he has played an active role in urban and regional affairs, notably as government-appointed independent chair of the 25-year Mersey Basin Campaign, one of the North West's most successful cross-sector partnerships, 2004-2010. Since 2011 he has served as Director of the North West Doctoral Training Centre that organises and funds PhD research in the social sciences in Liverpool, Lancaster and Manchester universities. Also in 2011, Peter was elected Chairman of Governors at Merchant Taylors Schools, Crosby.
Dr Sabine D'Costa
Sabine is Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Westminster. Before joining the University of Westminster sheworked at Queen Mary University and at the London School of Economics and completed her PhD at the University of Michigan. Her research interests are in economic geography, urban and regional economics. Her recent research includes work on the urban wage premium in Great Britain, on the firm-level impacts of transportation investments and on the effect of nation-wide structural policies on the productivity growth of subnational regions. She is affiliated with the Centre for Globalisation Research at Queen Mary University.
Sabine is Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Westminster. Before joining the University of Westminster sheworked at Queen Mary University and at the London School of Economics and completed her PhD at the University of Michigan. Her research interests are in economic geography, urban and regional economics. Her recent research includes work on the urban wage premium in Great Britain, on the firm-level impacts of transportation investments and on the effect of nation-wide structural policies on the productivity growth of subnational regions. She is affiliated with the Centre for Globalisation Research at Queen Mary University.
Dr Davide Luca
Davide is an Associate Professor of Economic Geography at the Department of Land Economy in the University of Cambridge. His research is interdisciplinary, cutting across Economic Geography, Political Economy, and Public Policy. Before joining Cambridge University, Davide was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and worked for the European Commission. He holds a PhD in Economic Geography from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he is a Visiting Fellow.
Davide is an Associate Professor of Economic Geography at the Department of Land Economy in the University of Cambridge. His research is interdisciplinary, cutting across Economic Geography, Political Economy, and Public Policy. Before joining Cambridge University, Davide was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and worked for the European Commission. He holds a PhD in Economic Geography from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he is a Visiting Fellow.
Professor Stuart McIntyre
Stuart is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Strathclyde. He is a Fellow of the Office for National Statistics, a Research Associate at the ONS-funded Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence, and a Faculty Research Affiliate at the Regional Research Institute at West Virginia University. He is also a Lead Editor of the ESRC-funded Economics Observatory which bridges the gap between academic research, government policy and the general public.
Stuart has research interests in applied economics, regional economics and public policy.
Stuart is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Strathclyde. He is a Fellow of the Office for National Statistics, a Research Associate at the ONS-funded Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence, and a Faculty Research Affiliate at the Regional Research Institute at West Virginia University. He is also a Lead Editor of the ESRC-funded Economics Observatory which bridges the gap between academic research, government policy and the general public.
Stuart has research interests in applied economics, regional economics and public policy.
Professor Vassilis Monastiriotis
Vassilis is an economist and economic geographer by training, specialising in three areas of Labour Economics, Economic Geography and Political Economy. He has significant policy engagement on all three areas, including appointments in Experts Committees (e.g., on Regional Incentives policy and on Minimum Wage policy in Greece) and work with international bodies such as the European Commission (DG Regio, DG EMPL, DG EAC), the CEFTA Secretariat and the EBRD. He has held visiting positions at Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, Groningen University, the GeoDA Center, and elsewhere. He is founding member of the LSE Research Unit on South Eastern Europe and holds affiliations with LSE’s Department of Geography and Environment and the Hellenic Observatory. Vassilis Monastiriotis' main research interests are on regional and national labour markets; regional and local socio-economic disparities; labour market policy; macroeconomic policy; and the political economy of reform. Geographically his research focuses on Southeast Europe (including Greece), Britain and the European Union.
Vassilis is an economist and economic geographer by training, specialising in three areas of Labour Economics, Economic Geography and Political Economy. He has significant policy engagement on all three areas, including appointments in Experts Committees (e.g., on Regional Incentives policy and on Minimum Wage policy in Greece) and work with international bodies such as the European Commission (DG Regio, DG EMPL, DG EAC), the CEFTA Secretariat and the EBRD. He has held visiting positions at Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, Groningen University, the GeoDA Center, and elsewhere. He is founding member of the LSE Research Unit on South Eastern Europe and holds affiliations with LSE’s Department of Geography and Environment and the Hellenic Observatory. Vassilis Monastiriotis' main research interests are on regional and national labour markets; regional and local socio-economic disparities; labour market policy; macroeconomic policy; and the political economy of reform. Geographically his research focuses on Southeast Europe (including Greece), Britain and the European Union.
Dr Lisa Noonan
Lisa Noonan is a lecturer in Economics in Cork University Business School in University College Cork since 2011. Lisa holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Irish, an MA(Economics) and a PhD (Economics) from UCC. Her Phd research was based on the effects of agglomeration economies on the productivity of Irish businesses. Her research areas include regional economics and tourism economics. This research has been presented at national and international conferences and has been published in national and international peer reviewed journals.
Lisa Noonan is a lecturer in Economics in Cork University Business School in University College Cork since 2011. Lisa holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Irish, an MA(Economics) and a PhD (Economics) from UCC. Her Phd research was based on the effects of agglomeration economies on the productivity of Irish businesses. Her research areas include regional economics and tourism economics. This research has been presented at national and international conferences and has been published in national and international peer reviewed journals.
Dr Daragh O'Leary
Daragh O'Leary is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Galway examining the activity of scaling firms. He successfully defended his PhD titled An Analysis of Firm Dynamics and Seedbed Role in September of 2023 at University College Cork. Prior to this he also completed a BA and MSc in Economics at University College Cork. Daragh’s PhD thesis was awarded the 2021 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship. He has published multiple peer-reviewed Journal articles in areas including firm interrelationships, regional entrepreneurship, firm innovation, life satisfaction, and sports economics. Currently, he is conducting research in the University of Galway
Daragh O'Leary is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Galway examining the activity of scaling firms. He successfully defended his PhD titled An Analysis of Firm Dynamics and Seedbed Role in September of 2023 at University College Cork. Prior to this he also completed a BA and MSc in Economics at University College Cork. Daragh’s PhD thesis was awarded the 2021 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship. He has published multiple peer-reviewed Journal articles in areas including firm interrelationships, regional entrepreneurship, firm innovation, life satisfaction, and sports economics. Currently, he is conducting research in the University of Galway
Professor Aisling Reynolds-Feighan
Aisling Reynolds-Feighan has worked as a transport economist for more than 30 years. She is Professor of Transport Economics at UCD. Aisling has worked as a transport consultant/expert to the US Department of Transportation, the OECD, European Commission and Irish Department of Transport, Economic & Social Research Institute, Irish Exporters Association, DKM Economic Consultants. She was a member of the EU's FP7 and FP6 Expert Advisory Panels in Transport. Aisling has published extensively on air and road transport economics in the leading international transportation research journals. Aisling has presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, and contributes regularly to public debate on transport matters through TV, radio and print media outlets. She was Chair of the Regional Science Association International British and Irish Section, 2013-2017. She is a member of the Tourism Recovery Oversight Group appointed by the Minister for Tourism in 2020. In the spring 2022, Aisling was Visiting Professor at the David O' Maley College of Business, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA.
Aisling Reynolds-Feighan has worked as a transport economist for more than 30 years. She is Professor of Transport Economics at UCD. Aisling has worked as a transport consultant/expert to the US Department of Transportation, the OECD, European Commission and Irish Department of Transport, Economic & Social Research Institute, Irish Exporters Association, DKM Economic Consultants. She was a member of the EU's FP7 and FP6 Expert Advisory Panels in Transport. Aisling has published extensively on air and road transport economics in the leading international transportation research journals. Aisling has presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, and contributes regularly to public debate on transport matters through TV, radio and print media outlets. She was Chair of the Regional Science Association International British and Irish Section, 2013-2017. She is a member of the Tourism Recovery Oversight Group appointed by the Minister for Tourism in 2020. In the spring 2022, Aisling was Visiting Professor at the David O' Maley College of Business, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA.
Dr Richard Rijnks
Richard is Assistant Professor in GIS, Spatial Analysis, and Planning Methods at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences in teh University of Groningen. His research interests are economic geogrpahy, spatial analysis, and planning and development. He is on the Board of Editors of AGORA Magazine, external advisor on the ERC-funded EVICT project, and is a research associate at the Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre in University College Cork.
Richard is Assistant Professor in GIS, Spatial Analysis, and Planning Methods at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences in teh University of Groningen. His research interests are economic geogrpahy, spatial analysis, and planning and development. He is on the Board of Editors of AGORA Magazine, external advisor on the ERC-funded EVICT project, and is a research associate at the Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre in University College Cork.
Dr Emmanouil Tranos
Emmanouil is a Reader in Quantitative Human Geography at the University of Bristol and a Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. His research has been exposing the spatial dimensions of digital technologies and the digital economy from their early stages until today. He has published on issues related to the geography of the internet infrastructure, the economic impacts that such digital infrastructure can generate on cities and regions and the position of cities within spatial, complex networks.
He is an Editor of the Regional Science Policy and Practice journal, the Conferences Officer of QMRG, and the Director of the MRes in Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM).
Emmanouil is a Reader in Quantitative Human Geography at the University of Bristol and a Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. His research has been exposing the spatial dimensions of digital technologies and the digital economy from their early stages until today. He has published on issues related to the geography of the internet infrastructure, the economic impacts that such digital infrastructure can generate on cities and regions and the position of cities within spatial, complex networks.
He is an Editor of the Regional Science Policy and Practice journal, the Conferences Officer of QMRG, and the Director of the MRes in Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM).