معرفی
Professor Olive McCarthy is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Food Business and Development at Cork University Business School, University College Cork. She serves as a senior researcher with the Centre for Co-operative Studies and holds leadership positions including chairing the university's Academic Council Learning and Teaching Committee.
Her educational background includes a BComm (1994), MSc (1996), and PhD (2005) from UCC, complemented by a PG Cert and PG Dip in Teaching and Learning.
Professor McCarthy's research focuses on co-operative business models, with particular expertise in credit unions and financial inclusion. Her work examines moneylending practices, cash accessibility, and the socio-economic implications of financial services. She has demonstrated significant real-world impact, with research directly influencing legislative changes and government policy in Ireland.
Her scholarly contributions have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards in 2023-2024, including UCC Research Communicator of the Year and CUBS Research Impact Award. She has secured approximately €6 million in research funding across various projects.
- Deputy Editor (for Ireland) of the Journal of Co-operative Studies
- Member of editorial boards for multiple academic journals
- Appointed to Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC) by Minister for Finance (2018-2025)
- Member of CIRIEC International Scientific Commission (since 2018)
- Member of Swoboda Research Centre Research Advisory Board (since 2017)
As an educator, Professor McCarthy champions inclusive learning practices and has led innovative program development. She serves as academic co-director of the award-winning MSc in Sustainable Development, Agri-Food and Co-operatives, which received the Best Masters 2024 award from The Education Awards. Her teaching excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, and she has successfully secured industry-funded scholarships for postgraduate students.
