Profile

I am a senior strategic leader at Walton Institute (SETU), driving EU partnerships and digital innovation. As Programme Manager of ENTIRE EDIH, I lead multidisciplinary teams delivering innovation services.

I specialise in EU funding, stakeholder engagement and the development of high-impact digital and AgriTech ecosystems across Europe.

I am Chairperson of the AgriFood TWG within the EDIH Network and sit on the SmartAgriHubs Board. I will also host Synergy Days 2026 in Kilkenny, Ireland.

Overview of research interest

My research interests sit at the intersection of regional innovation ecosystems, strategic decision-making, digital transformation and policy implementation.

I am particularly interested in how strategic actors interpret policy, make decisions and shape innovation activity within regional contexts.

My work uses the European Digital Innovation Hub network as a lens to explore how regional intermediaries support SMEs, public sector organisations and wider ecosystem development through digital transformation, collaboration and policy alignment.

Project title and description

Understanding the Influence of Strategic Choices on Innovation Ecosystems' Performance and Policy: The Case of European Digital Innovation Hubs

This PhD research examines how strategic choices made by European Digital Innovation Hub leaders influence the development, performance and policy role of regional innovation ecosystems.

Using a Strategy-as-Practice perspective, the study explores how strategy is formed and enacted through everyday practices, decisions, interactions and regional relationships.

The research focuses on how EDIHs interpret European and national policy priorities, respond to regional needs and support digital transformation across sectors. It aims to contribute to both academic understanding and practical policy development by showing how regional innovation actors influence the translation of policy into practice.

Supervisors

Professor Jonathan Sapsed (Newcastle University)

Professor James Cunningham (Newcastle University)

Professor William O'Gorman (South East Technological University)