Mrs Hazel Peavoy
Senior Strategic Business Partner (AGRI)
Email: [email protected]
Biography
Mrs. Hazel Peavoy is the Principal Investigator for ENTIRE, a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), part of a network of over 250 hubs reshaping businesses across Europe and beyond. The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Network is at the forefront of Europe’s digital transformation, enhancing the digital capacity of SMEs and public sector organisations (PSOs). Acting as one-stop shops throughout all EU regions, EDIHs provide expert guidance and support to businesses and organisations on their digitalisation journey, backed by the European Commission.
In addition to her role with ENTIRE, Hazel is also the Senior Strategic Business Partner at Walton Institute, where she collaborates with key stakeholders in agriculture across Ireland and Europe. She has been instrumental in positioning Walton Institute as a leader in applying cutting-edge technologies to the agri-food sector. Hazel’s extensive portfolio includes guiding research projects from their inception through to the commercialisation of their outcomes.
She is a member of the Smart Agri Hubs Community Board, serves on the Synergy Days Organisation Committee with a focus on the EDIH stream, and is a member of The Gender Alliance for Innovation in Agriculture (GAIA).
Hazel is currently pursuing a PhD at Newcastle University, with her research focusing on “Assessing the influence of strategic choice on innovation ecosystems’ policy and performance: The case of European Digital Innovation Hubs.”
Her previous roles include:
- Site Manager for VistaMilk, the SFI/DAFM Research Centre
- Project Manager on CITIES2030
- Principal Investigator for AgriDISCRETE, a Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine project.
- Regional Cluster Lead for Ireland and the UK, Smart Agri Hubs
- Regional Cluster Lead for AgROBOFood
- Agri Activities Manager for the Precision Agricultural Centre of Excellence (PACE)
Hazel’s expertise and leadership continue to shape innovation ecosystems and drive digital transformation across sectors in Europe.
Hazel is currently pursuing a PhD at Newcastle University, with her research focusing on “Assessing the influence of strategic choice on innovation ecosystems’ policy and performance: The case of European Digital Innovation Hubs.” (working title)
My research focuses on the influence of strategic choice on the policies and performance of innovation ecosystems. By using the framework of Strategy-as-a-Practice, I aim to explore how strategic decisions shape and drive innovation within regional contexts.
A key component of my research is the utilization of the newly established European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network. This network serves as a prism through which I will examine the intricate relationships between strategic actors and regional innovation ecosystems. My study aims to provide valuable insights into how EDIH practitioners influence local policies and contribute to the performance of their regions.
Through this research, I strive to make significant contributions in several areas:
- Strategic Choice: By analysing how strategic decisions impact innovation ecosystems, I aim to uncover best practices and effective strategies that drive regional development and innovation.
- Strategy-as-a-Practice: This approach allows me to delve into the day-to-day activities of practitioners, providing a detailed understanding of how strategic practices are enacted and their outcomes.
- Regional Innovation Ecosystems: By focusing on the role of EDIHs, I will explore how these hubs act as catalysts for regional innovation, shaping policies and enhancing performance.
Overall, the research seeks to bridge the gap between strategic management and regional development, offering actionable insights that can inform policy and practice within innovation ecosystems. Through a detailed examination of the EDIH network, I aim to highlight the pivotal role of strategic choice in fostering dynamic and resilient regional innovation landscapes.
Academic Supervisors
Dr. Jonathan Sapsed, Newcastle University, UK
Dr. James Cunningham, Newcastle University, UK.
Prof William O'Gorman, South East Technological University, IRELAND.
Her previous roles include:
- Site Manager for VistaMilk, the SFI/DAFM Research Centre
- Project Manager on CITIES2030
- Principal Investigator for AgriDISCRETE, a Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine project.
- Regional Cluster Lead for Ireland and the UK, Smart Agri Hubs
- Regional Cluster Lead for AgROBOFood
- Agri Activities Manager for the Precision Agricultural Centre of Excellence (PACE)