Esmond Birnie

Dr. Esmond Birnie is a Senior Economist (Economic Research) at the Ulster University Business School, affiliated with the Department of Accounting, Finance & Economics. He holds a PhD and has been at Ulster since 2016. Prior roles include Chief Economist at PwC (2010-2016), Special Advisor to the Northern Ireland Executive (2007-2010), and MLA (1998-2007). He also served as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast (1989-1998).

His research focuses on Northern Ireland’s regional economy, fiscal policy, competitiveness comparisons, political party commitments, and ethics in economics. Notable works include analyses of Northern Ireland’s trade dynamics, fiscal autonomy, and Nordic economic comparisons. He has authored/co-authored six books and over 15 journal articles, including in Regional Studies and Journal of Economic Affairs.

Birnie frequently engages in media commentary on Northern Ireland’s economic policies and performance, appearing in outlets like the Belfast Telegraph, Guardian, and BBC. He has provided evidence to Westminster Committees and advises entities such as the Department of Finance and Northern Ireland Water.

His work emphasizes empirical analysis of regional economic challenges, policy effectiveness, and cross-border comparisons. Key themes include rebalancing economies, trade optimization, and the socio-political dimensions of economic decision-making.