When did you join the Department of Economics/KBS/UL?
I first joined the Department of Economics in 2014 as a Teaching Assistant. I left UL briefly in 2017 to take up a lecturing position at the Cork University Business School. I returned to the KBS in 2018 as a lecturer in the Department of Economics.
What are some of your major professional accomplishments?
Publication in international peer-reviewed journals. Dissemination of my research at international peer-reviewed conferences.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a lecturer/researcher?
Challenges as a lecturer - Stimulating and maintaining student engagement in large classes. I overcame this challenge through the use of interactive learning and presentation apps to administer in-class quizzes at regular intervals during lectures.
Challenges as a researcher - Maintaining a healthy balance between my teaching, research and administrative responsibilities. Overcome through better time management.
What are you currently researching/ teaching?
Currently, I teach Monetary Economics, Macroeconomics and Public Finance to traditional and post-experience undergraduate students. My current research is in the innovation space. Specifically, I am exploring the impact of public support on FDI performance; the link between firm R&D strategies and firm performance and social innovation and sustainable poverty reduction.
Why did you choose a career in Economics? What does economics mean to you?
My choice of Economics as a career is largely motivated by the desire to undertake research with a potential impact on policy and practice. I believe Economics, in its simplest form, is the study of choices/ decisions. Every day, we are faced with choices of how best to allocate scarce resources, whether at a micro or macro level. These choices have consequences that must be considered in the decision-making process.
How do you think young economists can best develop their knowledge and skills?
I believe young economists can develop their knowledge and skills through mentoring, conducting research and attendance at conferences. Experienced economists are a valuable source of knowledge and professional advice to young economists, who also benefit from wider access to the mentor’s own research networks. Similarly, conferences serve as an avenue for young economists to acquire state of the art knowledge. By researching and disseminating their work at conferences and other outlets, young economists can obtain constructive feedback from more experienced colleagues with similar research interests. They can also explore opportunities to develop their research networks.
When you are not teaching & researching, what do you do?
When I am not teaching and researching, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I also engage in volunteer work with children and young people in my spare time.
Who are some economists that you would like to acknowledge as having a positive impact on you?
Economists who have had a positive impact on me include influential economists such as Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes and Joseph Schumpeter, for their pioneering work in various areas, which have influenced and continue to influence policy to date.
Where is your favourite place on the UL campus?
My favourite place on the UL campus is the Kilmurry ‘beach’, which offers a serene view of the River Shannon and a nice walk along the water.
If you did not live in/near Limerick, where would you live & why?
If I didn’t live in Limerick, I’d live in Cork. It is a large city, with plenty to explore, without being too crowded and fast-paced.
