About SRERC

The Spatial and Regional Economics Research Centre (SRERC) arises from the extensive experience and research expertise in regional science developed by a cluster of staff in the Department of Economics, University College Cork. The Centre operates on the philosophy of research excellence and policy relevance. The members of the research centre have published more than 60 peer reviewed academic journal articles between them in leading journals in the field of regional economics including Environment and Planning A, Regional Studies, Research Policy, Papers in Regional Science, Cambridge Journal of Regions Economy and Society, and Spatial Economic Analysis.

The membership of the Centre is Dr. Frank Corlwey (Co-Director), Professor Justin Doran (Co-Director), Dr. Jane Bourke, Dr. Declan Jordan, Dr. Noirin McCarthy, Dr. Eoin McLaughlin, Dr. Mari O’Connor, Dr. Bernadette Power and Dr. Geraldine Ryan.

The Centre focuses on three central themes:
[1] Spatial economic analysis
[2] Spatial analysis of Innovation and Firm Growth
[3] City and Regional Economics

The first theme  focus on the use of applied spatial and non-spatial econometrics, quantitative geographical information systems, and the geo-coding of data.

The second research theme focuses on the spatial effects of innovation and firm growth. It focuses on the micro-economic underpinnings of regional development focusing on the firm as the unit of analysis.

The final research theme focuses on the City and Regional Economics. This focuses on the development of, and role of, city regions. Given the central role economic development is to take in Ireland’s National Planning Framework this research theme will provide valuable insights and advice for policymakers.