Rate My Professor Marie Mahon

Marie Mahon is Professor in Human Geography at the University of Galway, serving as Head of the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies. Her research focuses on social and economic change and development of the rural, including spatial justice in the rural, urban-rural place and community development, civic engagement and governance, place-based identity, representations of rurality, governance of spatial planning, and the role of the arts and culture in rural sustainability. She is currently the University of Galway Principal Investigator for the Horizon Europe SERIGO Project (Social Economy for Resilience, Inclusion and Good life in Rural areas). She is also a team member of the Horizon Europe FLIARA (Female Led Innovations in Agriculture and Rural Areas) and PREMIER (Preparing multi-actor projects in a co-creative way) Projects, as well as the CO-BIOECON project (Co-Designed Regional Strategy for the Bioeconomy), funded by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Previously, she served as Galway PI for the Horizon 2020 IMAJINE project (Integrated Mechanisms for Addressing Spatial Justice and Territorial Inequalities in Europe, 2017-2022) and Irish PI for the ESRCIRC Networking Project: Civil Society in Turbulent Times.

Mahon has earned recognition through several awards, including the Dean's Award for Success and Achievements Acting in a Significant Role on Behalf of the University (2020), the President's Award for Societal Impact (2019), and the Ruralia Visiting Scholarship (2024). She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning (CELT) (2007) and Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (CELT) (2008). Her key publications include "Policy drivers of farm succession and inheritance" (2017), "New populations; shifting expectations: The changing experience of Irish rural space and place" (2007), "Arranging public support to unfold collaborative modes of governance in rural areas" (2013), "The rural as a return migration destination" (2012), "Rural arts festivals as contributors to rural development and resilience" (2019), and "Protected geographical indications: Institutional roles in food systems governance and rural development" (2015). Mahon supervises PhD students, organizes events such as the 35th International Geographical Congress (2024), and delivers invited talks, including at the Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki. Her work contributes to understanding rural sustainability and development.