Mary O'Shaughnessy

Professor Mary O'Shaughnessy is a distinguished academic at Cork University Business School, College of Business and Law, University College Cork, and serves as Visiting Professor at Roskilde University, Denmark. She is recognized as a subject matter expert in sustainable rural development and social enterprise.

Her research approach is deeply rooted in community, respect, and sustainability principles. Professor O'Shaughnessy has made significant policy contributions as academic advisor to Ireland's first National Social Enterprise Policy (2019), with her research cited in the 2024 National Social Enterprise Policy. She regularly advises national and international governments and agencies on these matters.

Professor O'Shaughnessy holds several prestigious leadership positions:

• Board member of Micro Finance Ireland
• Founding director of the EMES International research network
• Member of the National Social Enterprise Task Force (Ireland)
• UCC President's nominee to the HEI Research Network Our Rural Futures
• UCC President's nominee to the HEI Social Enterprise Network
• Editorial board member of the Journal of Rural Studies

Her research leadership includes:

• Chairing the Supervisory Management Committee of H2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie ITN Doctoral Network
• Serving as Short Term Scientific Mission Manager of EU COST Action - SE Empower

Professor O'Shaughnessy is frequently invited as a keynote speaker at high-profile international events including the European Commission DG Empl, OECD Rural Development Conference, Social Enterprise World Forum Academic Symposium, and the 19th Edition of the Trento Festival of Economics.

Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• UCC Research Supervisor of the Year Award (2019)
• UCC President's Teaching Award (2021)
• UCC Staff Award for Cross Campus Engagement (2023)
• UCC College of Business & Law Researcher of the Year (2024)