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Biography

Career in product development & commercialisation, innovation, technical and business development. Key interests include implementing supports for regional and national SMEs and entrepreneurs through developing key mechanisms, specialised and tailored programmes, infrastructure and targeted access pathways through which businesses have greater engagement with HEI facilities, researchers, and networks.

Associate Lecturer at NFQ level 8 and level 9 in Business Research Methods, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management at Institute of Technology Carlow and South East Technological University. (2007 – present)

Academic and Research Experience

 

Boards & Directorships

  • Director & Secretary, Campus Innovation Centre Carlow CLG (2012 – present)
  • Director & Chairperson, Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG (2013 – present)
  • Director & President, Canoeing Ireland (2016 – 2021)
  • Director & Chairperson, Portlaoise Enterprise Centre (2007 – 2017)
  • Director, Carlow County Enterprise Board (2012 – 2014)

Research Projects

SMARTER (Experiential Learning Tools to obtain SMART Supply Chain Competencies) 

  • Jan 2022 - Present; European Union - Erasmus+; Budget €400,000; SMARTER allows project partners to capture supply chain management data in material, money and information flow to improve its pedagogy and/or practice in terms of industry-university collaboration.

ENTER TO TRANSFORM (Transformational Entrepreneurship Hubs for Recognised Refugee Re-starters)

  • Apr 2020 - Apr 2023; European Union - Interreg NWE; Budget €2,136,000
    The project offered a social innovation addressing Recognised Refugee re-starters to become ready for business creation. The RR re-starters in NWE were supported along the business phases stand-up, start-up and scaling and distinct from existing initiatives, with a focus on 4 sectors: health (especially care), crafts and design, services (e.g. ICT, food services and events), trade (sales representatives).

CATALYST

  • Jan 2018 - Dec 2021; European Union - Interreg Ireland Wales; Budget €1,300,000
    A pilot scheme to drive innovation within Welsh and Irish businesses in the life science and food and drink sectors. The Catalyst project worked with 60 businesses to develop new specialist products, access new markets, and ensure packaging of products are sustainably sourced and minimised.

BUCANIER (Building Clusters and Networks in Innovation Enterprise and Research)

  • Sep 2017 - Jun 2021; European Union - Interreg Ireland Wales; Budget €3,000,000
    Supporting 120 small businesses in the key growth sectors of food and drink, life sciences and renewable energy. Project increased innovation capacity within small businesses by collaborating with Higher Education institutions and other public bodies to boost productivity across Ireland and Wales.

(AHEH) Arts & Humanities Entrepreneurship Hubs

  • Jan 2018 - Dec 2020; European Union - Erasmus+; Budget €1,000,000
    The AHEH project brought together 14 partners from across 7 EU member states to improve the entrepreneurial capacity of A&H students with an innovative programme of entrepreneurial training.

INSPIRE (Initiating Pathways for Innovators, Researchers and Entrepreneurs)

  • Feb 2012 - Jun 2015; European Union; Interreg Ireland Wales IVA project (Priority 1, Theme 1 ‘Innovation and Competitiveness’ )
    Budget €729,000
    Project cultivated and developed idea generation skill sets for entrepreneurs, researchers and SMEs. Implemented with 150 early-stage enterprises.

As principal supervisor for Level 9 Students (2008 - Present)

Areas of Interest as a Supervisor

  • Innovation Management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Knowledge Transfer
  • Business Research
  • Commercialisation
  • Project Management

Publications and Outputs

Books and Book Chapters

  • Authored 'A mentoring Mindset for Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Researchers and SMEs (2021)
  • Co-authored and edited ‘The BUCANIER Journey, An Innovation Mindset for Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Researchers and SMEs’ (2018)
  • Authored and edited ‘The INSPIRE Journey, A Best Practice Guide – An Innovation Mindset for Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Researchers and SMEs’ (2015)