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
Professor Declan Jordan (Chair)
Declan Jordan is Professor of 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 Professor of 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 Daragh O'Leary (Membership Secretary)
Daragh O'Leary is a Lecturer in Economics at Cork University Business School in University College Cork. He was previously a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Galway examining the activity of scaling firms. He has a PhD from University College Cork which 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.
Daragh O'Leary is a Lecturer in Economics at Cork University Business School in University College Cork. He was previously a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Galway examining the activity of scaling firms. He has a PhD from University College Cork which 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.
Committee Members
Professor Grant Allan
Grant is Professor 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 Professor 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 Luise Koeppen
Luise Koeppen is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Social, Economic, and Geographical Sciences section of the James Hutton Institute. She was formerly a Lecturer in the Department of Spatial Sciences at the University of Groningen. She holds a PhD from University of Groningen on the geogrraphy of discontent.
Luise Koeppen is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Social, Economic, and Geographical Sciences section of the James Hutton Institute. She was formerly a Lecturer in the Department of Spatial Sciences at the University of Groningen. She holds a PhD from University of Groningen on the geogrraphy of discontent.
Dr Tasos Kitsos
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.
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.
Professor Helena Lenihan
Helena Lenihan is Full Professor of Economics at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. She is an applied economist whose research interests include the Economics of Innovation, R&D subsidies and tax incentives, Innovation Policy, Policy Evaluation, Innovation and Human Capital, Green/Eco Innovation, Firm Growth and Industrial Policy. She regularly publishes articles in highly ranked international journals and has also been invited to deliver numerous keynote addresses both nationally and internationally. Helena was an invited Visiting Fellow at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK. She was also a Visiting Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, where she is now a lifetime member. She is a Research Associate at the UK's Enterprise Research Centre.
Helena Lenihan is Full Professor of Economics at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. She is an applied economist whose research interests include the Economics of Innovation, R&D subsidies and tax incentives, Innovation Policy, Policy Evaluation, Innovation and Human Capital, Green/Eco Innovation, Firm Growth and Industrial Policy. She regularly publishes articles in highly ranked international journals and has also been invited to deliver numerous keynote addresses both nationally and internationally. Helena was an invited Visiting Fellow at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK. She was also a Visiting Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, where she is now a lifetime member. She is a Research Associate at the UK's Enterprise Research Centre.
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.
Professor Emmanouil Tranos
Emmanouil is Professor of 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 Professor of 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).