With his 1958 study, Economic Development, T.K. Whitaker is widely recognised for setting the course for the modernisation of Ireland’s economy. This path-breaking work identified “potentialities” and “deficiencies” across the Irish economy, and highlighted internationalisation and productive investment as central to the future of Irish economic growth.
Building on our founding research cluster – the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change – the Whitaker Institute is actively involved in the study of business innovation and economic development both in Ireland and globally. The Institute is building on this foundation to play a leading research-led role in the debate on the future of economic development from a variety of perspectives. Most of the Institute’s research clusters are pursuing research and policy analysis that directly advances this theme, including: Macroeconomics & Finance; the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU); Population & Migration; and Creative, Liveable & Sustainable Communities.