Mary Donegan

Mary Donegan is an Associate Professor-in-Residence at the University of Connecticut (UConn), affiliated with the Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community, and Urban Studies within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds BAs in Economics and Russian Area Studies from Wellesley College, an MRP, and a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on equitable economic development, sustainable policies, and the role of institutions in fostering inclusive growth.

Key research interests include evaluating economic development incentives, entrepreneurial ecosystems, green labor policies, and the interplay between universities and regional development. Her work emphasizes leveraging local resources to address socio-economic inequality and promote just community development. Publications span topics like urban renewal, workforce retraining, and policy transparency in corporate incentive programs.

Prof. Donegan’s career includes roles at UNC’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies and Center for Community Capital, alongside industry experience in financial services research. She advocates for evidence-based policies and public engagement in development decisions. Her office is located in Monteith Building 118 on UConn’s Storrs campus.