Prof. Jim Walsh

Jim Walsh is a member of Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute (MUSSI). He was Vice-President of Maynooth University between 2005 and September 2016 with responsibilities for strategic initiatives and innovation, the university strategic performance framework, quality assurance, institutional research, and inter-institutional strategic collaborations. He was also Deputy President between 2007 and 2012. Prior to 2005, he was Head of the Department of Geography in Maynooth for ten years, when he was a founding member of the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) and the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD).

Jim’s research interests are in rural and regional development, demographic change and spatial planning. He also has a research interest in higher education policy and the relationship between higher education institutions and regional development. He has participated in several European research projects and led many projects funded by research bodies in Ireland. He has produced or contributed to more than 170 academic publications, including 15 books, over 100 papers /chapters in peer reviewed journals and books, and almost 50 reports. Jim has made more than 140 presentations to national and international academic conferences, seminars and workshops, and to an extensive range of non-academic audiences.

Jim has been Chairman of the Regional Studies Association (Irish Branch), President of the Geographical Society of Ireland, Chairman of the Royal Irish Academy National Committee for Teaching of Geography, and Editor of Geographical Viewpoint. He has extensive experience as an advisor in many areas of public policy including, membership of the National Economic and Social Council, the Expert Advisory Group for National Spatial Strategy, Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, and the Advisory Group for the Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework.

Research interests: Rural and regional development, demographic change, place-making, data analysis and visualisation, and spatial planning.

Contact: jim.walsh@mu.ie

Institutional Profile: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/jim-walsh