George Onofrei is Professor and Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at Atlantic Technological University, where he chairs the Business Research Innovation Network Group (BRING) and contributes to the Design, Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy (DICE). His research targets sustainable operations with emphasis on circular economy transitions. Core research domains include: Sustainable supply chain innovation and circular business models Operational resilience during disruptions Data analytics for supply chain optimization Socioeconomic dimensions of industrial sustainability Publications demonstrate extensive cross-sector applications including agribusiness, manufacturing, and retail, with consistent focus on the triple bottom line. Recent work examines how environmental certifications and customer pressures drive process innovations in global supply chains.
Bridget McNally is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the School of Business at Maynooth University. She holds a PhD (2011) and M.Litt (2004) and previously worked as a chartered accountant and taxation consultant with Arthur Andersen & Co. and Irish Life & Permanent Plc. Her research focuses on sustainable retirement provision, pension system regulation, and the practical application of International Accounting Standards. She co-leads the 'Sustainable Transition of the Rural Economy through Generational Renewal' project (2021–2023) and serves on the Irish Pension Policy Research Group (PPRG) and European Network for Research on Supplementary Pensions (ENRSP). Her academic contributions include over 20 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work addressing pension challenges in farming communities and corporate governance in emerging markets. McNally has received awards such as the Irish Accountancy Awards (2017) and a Teaching Fellowship from Maynooth University (2019). She also chairs the Faculty of Social Science’s committee and actively contributes to accounting program accreditation processes. Education: PhD in Accounting (2011), M.Litt (2004), Chartered Accountant (1985) Key Projects: Rural Economy Generational Renewal (€74,565.48 funding), Pension Policy Research Professional Memberships: Chartered Accountants Ireland, Irish Tax Institute, ENRSP Her teaching spans Financial Accounting and Reporting across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with ongoing supervision of Master’s theses. She has designed accounting curricula aligned with professional standards and contributed to policy discussions on pension reform through conferences and media engagements.
Professor James Kinsella is a faculty member at the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin (UCD), holding the academic rank of Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development. He joined UCD in 1995 after completing his PhD there on farm household decision-making. His roles include Subject Head and Head of Section for Agribusiness and Rural Development, with a sabbatical at Irish Aid in Zambia (2001-2003). His research focuses on rural livelihoods, agricultural extension effectiveness, climate change adaptation, and social farming. He supervises PhD/MSc students in knowledge transfer and on-farm innovation. Education: PhD (UCD), MAgrSc (UCD), BAgrSc (UCD). Research interests span sustainable agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and institutional roles in rural development. His work emphasizes policy impact analysis and social capital measurement. Recent grants include a 2023 Australian Research Council project on next-generation farming careers. Teaching: Coordinates modules like Sustainable Agriculture, Food Poverty and Policy, and Rural Development Strategies. Over 25 courses taught since 2015. Professional activities include board memberships (e.g., Misean Cara, Kimmage Development Studies Centre) and consulting for Irish Aid, OECD, and EU initiatives. He is actively involved in policy evaluations and international development projects. Lives on a drystock farm in south Kilkenny, contributing to local community through sports coaching and NGOs.
Mary Curtin is an Assistant Professor in the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick, specializing in Accounting and Finance. Her research bridges gender, land ownership, family businesses, and sustainable agriculture in Ireland. She holds a first-class BA in Law and Accounting (2019) and a multidisciplinary PhD (2023) from the University of Limerick, focusing on the gender asset gap in agriculture. Curtin is actively involved in projects like AllEcoSys and collaborates with the BioFin and ReNu2Cycle teams. Mary Curtin's publications explore themes such as the gender asset gap, patriarchal barriers in land inheritance, financial challenges for female farmers, and policy reforms for equitable agriculture. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing gender equality and sustainable practices. KBS Thesis-in-Three winner UL Picture this Research Competition winner Matheson Postgraduate Scholar Awardee Kemmy Business School/Northern Trust Outstanding Scholar Awardee Mason Hayes and Curran Company Law Prize 2019 A and L Goodbody Solicitors Prize 2016 She mentors PhD students and contributes to public discourse through media appearances and her podcast Fields of Change – cultivating tomorrows farm . Curtin also holds certifications in sustainability and agribusiness, reinforcing her interdisciplinary expertise.
Dr. Niall Duggan is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at University College Cork's Department of Government and Politics. His PhD from UCC examined China's role in global governance, with expertise spanning Sino-African relations, BRICS, and EU-Africa policy frameworks. Research concentrations: Emerging economies in multilateral institutions Geopolitical competition in Africa Chinese development finance mechanisms Post-pandemic power transitions Recent publications analyze infrastructure geopolitics and agency dynamics in Global South partnerships, showing methodological consistency in case study approaches. Earlier work established foundations on BRICS financial governance. Funded projects include CHERN COST Action workshops (€10,000) and 'Green Finance in the Global South' (€7,100). Supervised PhD candidate Silja Bára Omarsdóttir to completion (2019). Advises EU Commission DG INTPA on Team Europe Initiatives and serves on CHERN Cost Action management committees coordinating Europe-China research networks.
Dr Fitzgerald is a researcher at Dublin City University's School of Law and Government, contributing to critical studies of terrorism, security, and political communication. Their work bridges academic analysis with real-world policy implications, particularly in counterterrorism strategies and disinformation dynamics. Fitzgerald has collaborated with media organizations like the Irish Independent on initiatives such as the Vote Smart tool, enhancing electoral transparency through policy analysis. Research interests include the interplay of religion and disinformation in elections, the ethics of content moderation, and the societal memory of traumatic events like 9/11. Their scholarship spans theoretical contributions (e.g., QAnon conspiracy frameworks) and applied policy critiques (e.g., CVE programs). Fitzgerald’s interdisciplinary approach integrates autoethnography, reflexive methodologies, and discourse analysis. Publications highlight themes of security governance, the politics of forgetting, and the intersection of humanitarianism with security frameworks. Despite no explicitly listed grants or awards, their work demonstrates sustained engagement with frontline practitioners and policymakers. Fitzgerald’s contributions are further contextualized through collaborations with international scholars and advisory roles in media-driven civic projects.
Michael Wallace is a Professor of Agriculture and Food Economics at University College Dublin's School of Agriculture and Food Science, leading the Agribusiness and Rural Development Section. He holds a BSc and PhD from Queen's University Belfast and an MSc from the University of Warwick. His research focuses on economic analysis of agricultural and environmental policies, farm-level innovations, and sustainability in agricultural systems. Key themes include policy impacts on farming households and rural communities, and bioeconomic modeling of farm production systems. He has secured grants totaling millions, including projects on antimicrobial reduction in pig farming, contract cropping arrangements, and pasture-based milk production systems. His professional memberships include the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and the Institute of Agricultural Management (UK). Teaching includes modules like Applied Economic Analysis and Food and Agribusiness Strategy. Recent publications span pasture-based beef economics, dairy innovation impacts, and pig-fattening environmental strategies. His work bridges farm-level productivity with broader policy implications, emphasizing sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems.
Professor Damien McLoughlin is the Anthony C. Cunningham Professor of Marketing and Marketing Subject Area Head at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin. He serves as Director of the Centre for Marketing Studies and has held numerous leadership positions including Associate Dean (International) from 2011-2017, Associate Dean (Executive Education) from 2010-2011, and Subject Area Head (Marketing) during multiple periods. With visiting positions at Cornell University, Indian School of Business, Purdue University, IMD, and NYU Stern School of Business, Professor McLoughlin has established himself as an international expert in marketing strategy. Bachelor of Business Studies, Dublin City University Master of Business Studies, University College Dublin PhD in Marketing, Lancaster University Professor McLoughlin specializes in agribusiness strategy and business-to-business marketing, with particular expertise in global markets and digital contexts. His research focuses on strategic architecture in emerging markets, innovation management, and the development of new markets for industrial services. He has published extensively in top journals including Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Journal of Business Research, Industrial Marketing Management, and Technovation, with over seventy papers and a book on strategy and marketing issues. His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to marketing theory and practice, with recent work examining strategic architecture in emerging markets, cross-cultural communication during organizational change, and innovation in the life science industry. Professor McLoughlin's research shows an evolution from foundational work on business-to-business marketing toward more complex examinations of strategic frameworks in global contexts, particularly in the agribusiness sector. Teaching Award from Quinn School of Business Teaching Award from Smurfit School of Business Best Paper Award at Academy of Marketing Science conference Professor McLoughlin has advised numerous students and supervised research projects focused on marketing strategy and agribusiness. His grant portfolio includes significant funding from Enterprise Ireland and University College Dublin, supporting research on topics including "Innovation in Global Food," "Marketing in the New Era," and "Science Identity Models." He has also led major industry collaborations through the Bord Bia talent initiative, developing innovative programs like the Marketing Fellowship Programme and the Origin Green Ambassador Programme. As Director of the Centre for Marketing Studies, Professor McLoughlin oversees research initiatives connecting academic work with industry practice. He has played a key role in developing the innovative Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship Programme, the Bord Bia Origin Green Ambassador Programme, and the Bord Bia Supply Chain and Account Management programme, each involving collaboration with leading business schools including MIT Sloan, Harvard Business School, and IMD.
