Rate My Professor Justin Doran

Justin Doran is Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics in the Cork University Business School at University College Cork. He serves as Interim Director of the Future of Work and the Economy within UCC Futures and Co-Director of the Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre. Holding a PhD in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge, his research expertise encompasses regional economics and the economics of innovation. In regional economics, he examines regional economic resilience to shocks, including employment outcomes during crises and the impacts of automation on labour markets. In innovation economics, he evaluates public policy effects on firms and society using Central Statistics Office data and advanced econometric techniques. His research interests include spatial economic analysis, regional resilience, regional science, business innovation, eco-innovation, and business performance.

Professor Doran has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Research Policy, Regional Studies, Environment and Planning A, Cambridge Journal of Regions Economy and Society, Papers in Regional Science, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, and Economic Letters. Notable publications include "Innovation success in small and larger firms: Does persistence and diversity in R&D matter when building a unique knowledge base?" (2025, Journal of Technology Transfer), "Job automation in China: who is at risk and where are they located?" (2025, Cogent Economics & Finance), "State agencies and SME internationalization: a review and research agenda" (2025, Journal of Business Research), and "Subsidising innovation outside or within firms’ existing knowledge bases: which is best for radical innovation?" (2025, Economics of Innovation and New Technology). His scholarship has amassed over 3,900 citations, an h-index of 28, and an i-10 index of 50 as of March 2026. He was awarded the 2018 Moss Madden Memorial Medal from the Regional Science Association International - British and Irish Section for the best regional science article published that year, along with numerous best paper awards from societies including the International Society of Business and Entrepreneurship. Professor Doran has supervised 10 PhD students to completion across two institutions and six postdoctoral researchers funded by schemes such as the Irish Research Council, Horizon 2020, and Science Foundation Ireland. He chairs the College of Business and Law’s Research Ethics Committee, serves on UCC’s Social Research Ethics Committee, University Ethics Committee, College of Business and Law Research Committee, Board of Cork University Business School, and College of Business and Law Executive Management Committee. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, and 9.