DAMIAN COPENA RODRIGUEZ

Damian Copena Rodriguez is a Professor in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Santiago de Compostela, affiliated with the Faculty of Administration and Business Management. His research focuses on socio-economic impacts of renewable energy, rural development, historical economic analysis, and community resource management.

Dr. Copena holds a Ph.D. from the University of Vigo (2015) with a thesis on wind energy's socioeconomic impacts in Galician rural areas. His academic work bridges historical and contemporary issues, examining topics such as beekeeping modernization, agroecology, and land-use conflicts.

His research interests include renewable energy policies, environmental sustainability, agricultural history, and pedagogical innovation in economic education. He is part of the GESPIC research group studying business and sectoral history, particularly in fishing, industry, and commerce.

Key themes in his publications include wind energy's rural impacts, agroecological food systems, historical trade networks, and gender roles in agriculture. He emphasizes policy analysis, community governance of common resources, and the intersection of environmental and economic challenges.

Copena has advised multiple research projects and contributes to public debates on sustainable development, energy justice, and food sovereignty. His work often highlights the tensions between industrialization and traditional rural economies in Galicia and beyond.