Biography

Helena Lenihan is Full Professor of Economics at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. She is an applied economist whose research interests include the economics of innovation, innovation and innovation policy, drivers of firm performance and growth, innovation, science and industrial policy evaluation, innovation and human capital, and industrial/enterprise development and policy.

Helena was an invited Visiting Fellow at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK (2008). She was also a Visiting Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge (2008), where she is now a lifetime member. She is a Research Associate at the UK's Enterprise Research Centre. From 2009-2014, she was Assistant Dean, Research at the Kemmy Business School.


Professor Lenihan regularly publishes articles in highly ranked international journals. These include: Research Policy; Small Business Economics; Regional Studies, Environment and Planning C-Government and Policy; Applied Economics; Evaluation and Program Planning; Industry and Innovation; and Entrepreneurship and Regional Development. She has also been invited to deliver many keynote addresses both nationally and internationally


Helena is currently Principal Investigator on a five year (2018-2023) project funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under its Science Policy Research programme. This research project evaluates the impact of innovation and science policy instruments on firm performance from national and international perspectives. To deliver on this current project, she leads a team of Postdoctoral Researchers, PhD students and Research Assistants based at the University of Limerick. For over 20 years, she has generated significant research funding from both academic (e.g. EU-FP7, IRCHSS/IRC, RIA) and policy-making (e.g. Enterprise Ireland and SFI) sources.

Professor Lenihan is particularly interested in demonstrating the impact of her research on the economy and society more broadly. As a researcher, the chance to make an impact on society through research is a prospect that Helena is very passionate about. She champions the University of Limerick's Research Impact initiative and chairs, UL's Research Impact Committee (www.ul.ie/researchimpact).

Helena was awarded one of the first National Excellence in Teaching Awards by the National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL). She has also been twice awarded the UL Excellence in Teaching Award.

Research Interests

Economics of innovation, innovation and innovation policy, drivers of firm performance and growth, innovation, science and industrial policy evaluation, innovation and human capital, and industrial/enterprise development and policy.

Peer Reviewed Journals

Books

Book Chapters

2015

Takeovers and Takeover Policy

Singh, A., Singh, G., Bailey, D. and Lenihan, H. (2015) Takeovers and Takeover Policy. Oxford : Oxford University Press New Perspectives on Industrial Policy for a Modern Britain :343-361

2012

Industrial policy after the crisis

Bailey, D., Lenihan, H. and Arauzo-Carod, J. M. (2012) Industrial policy after the crisis. New York and London : Routledge, Taylor and Francis Industrial Policy Beyond the Crisis: Regional, National and International Perspectives (Regions and Cities series) :1-6

2012

Responding to the crisis: are policies aimed at a strong indigenous industrial base a necessary condition for sustainable economic growth?

Andreosso-O'Callaghan, B. and Lenihan, H. (2012) Responding to the crisis: are policies aimed at a strong indigenous industrial base a necessary condition for sustainable economic growth?. New York and London : Routledge, Taylor and Francis Industrial Policy Beyond the Crisis: Regional, National and International Perspectives (Regions and Cities series)

2010

SMEs in a Globalised World: Conceptual Issues

Lenihan, H., Andreosso-O'Callaghan, D. and Hart, M. (2010) SMEs in a Globalised World: Conceptual Issues. Cheltenham, UK : Edward Elgar Publishing SMEs in a Globalised World: Survival and Growth Strategies on Europe's Geographical Periphery

2010

SMEs in a globalised world: Conceptual issues

Lenihan H.;Andreosso-O’Callaghan B.;Hart M. (2010) SMEs in a globalised world: Conceptual issues. Smes In A Globalised World: Survival And Growth Strategies On Europe'S Geographical Periphery :1-15

Edited Books

Other Journals

Conference Publications

2015

Research Policy

McGuirk H.;Lenihan H.;Hart M. (2015) Research Policy. Research Policy :965-976

2008

Programme' in Mexico', proceedings of the 11th European Network on Industrial Policy (EUNIP) International Conference, Orkestra and ESTE (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration), University of Deusto, San Sebastian, Spain

Martinez-Covarrubias, J. L. and Lenihan, H. (2008) Programme' in Mexico', proceedings of the 11th European Network on Industrial Policy (EUNIP) International Conference, Orkestra and ESTE (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration), University of Deusto, San Sebastian, Spain.

2006

Environ 2006

Knaus, M., O'Regan, B., Moles, R., Lenihan, H. (2006) Environ 2006.

Conference Contributions

Published Reports

2012

Credit Lending to SMEs

Heneghan, J. and Lenihan, H. (2012) Credit Lending to SMEs. Report to Minister John Perry TD Minister for Small Business

1992

Characteristics of the Mid-West LEDA Area.

Dineen, DA; Lenihan, H; Noonan, CA (1992) Characteristics of the Mid-West LEDA Area.. report prepared for PA Cambridge Economic Consultants as part of EC Study on LEDA areas (ERGO Projec : paper presented to Department of Economics Seminar Series, University of Limerick

Editorials

2010

Preface

Lenihan H.;Andreosso-O’Callaghan B.;Hart M. (2010) Preface. Smes In A Globalised World: Survival And Growth Strategies On Europe'S Geographical Periphery :-xii

Book Reviews

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Publications

2021

Evaluating the impact of innovation and science policy on the economy and society: A national evaluation and international benchmarking of innovation and science policy in Ireland', presentation to Science Foundation Ireland Summit, 4th November.

Lenihan, H., Mulligan, K. and Perez-Alaniz, M (2021) Evaluating the impact of innovation and science policy on the economy and society: A national evaluation and international benchmarking of innovation and science policy in Ireland', presentation to Science Foundation Ireland Summit, 4th November. .

2020

The impact of R&D grants and R&D tax credits on firms' R&D and economic performance: Are indigenous and foreign-owned firms different?', Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR) External Se....

Lenihan, H., Mulligan, K., Doran, J., Ipinnaiye, U., Rammer, C., Garrido, Prada, P. (2020) The impact of R&D grants and R&D tax credits on firms' R&D and economic performance: Are indigenous and foreign-owned firms different?', Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR) External Se.....

2018

Making a research impact: the ‘before' and ‘after' approaches

Lenihan, H. (2018) Making a research impact: the ‘before' and ‘after' approaches. Association of University Departments of General Practice Career Development, University of Limerick : Association of University Departments of General Practice Career Development, University of Limerick

2010

Preface

Lenihan H.;Andreosso-O’Callaghan B.;Hart M. (2010) Preface. Smes In A Globalised World: Survival And Growth Strategies On Europe'S Geographical Periphery :-xii

2009

New Business Formation: An Important Element of Ireland's Rapid Growth Experience?

Anyadike-Danes, M., Lenihan, H. and Hart, M. (2009) New Business Formation: An Important Element of Ireland's Rapid Growth Experience?. Centre for Business Research at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge Working Paper Series, : Centre for Business Research at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge Working Paper Series,

2006

An assessment of the contribution of MNEs to the Irish Economy

Buckley, R., Leddin, A. and Lenihan, H. (2006) An assessment of the contribution of MNEs to the Irish Economy. Rioja, Spain Ill Foro de Economia Regional,FPRG Economico de la Rioja, Logrono, La Rioja, Spain Spain (a leading economic and political conference in Economic development in the Rioja region of Spain)

2004

Large Group Teaching

Lenihan, H (2004) Large Group Teaching. University of Limerick Spring Teaching Series

2000

Experiences of Teaching Large Classes

Lenihan, H (2000) Experiences of Teaching Large Classes. Economics Faculty, University of Ulster at Jordanstown Invitation to present seminar as the UUJ Faculty prepared for the Teaching Assessment exercise in the UK

1996

Teaching Large Classes

Lenihan, H. (1996) Teaching Large Classes. University of Limerick Workshop to new faculty as part of the Faculty Seminar Series