About Me
Economist and historian
I work at Queen's University Belfast, where I am a Reader in Economic History in the Department of Economics and Co-Director of the university's Centre for Economic History.
I also serve as Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement at the Centre for Economics, Policy and History, a Government of Ireland-funded Centre of Excellence linking Queen's with Trinity College Dublin.
I combine economics and history to better understand the performance of firms, industries, economies and societies. I am particularly interested in learning from historical policy mistakes.
I also conduct pedagogical research on ways to integrate economic history into the economics curriculum. My book, An Economist's Guide to Economic History (co-edited with Matthias Blum), is available in paperback or eBook.
I also serve as Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement at the Centre for Economics, Policy and History, a Government of Ireland-funded Centre of Excellence linking Queen's with Trinity College Dublin.
I combine economics and history to better understand the performance of firms, industries, economies and societies. I am particularly interested in learning from historical policy mistakes.
I also conduct pedagogical research on ways to integrate economic history into the economics curriculum. My book, An Economist's Guide to Economic History (co-edited with Matthias Blum), is available in paperback or eBook.
News & Outreach
Scarring and Selection in the Great Irish Famine
We study the health impact of the Great Irish Famine by comparing cohorts born during the Famine with those born immediately before and immediately after. We find evidence of selection in the countryside and scarring in the city. Read the article (co-authored with Matthias Blum and Eoin McLaughlin) in The Economic History Review. Marvel at our copious appendices! And read our non-technical summary for RTÉ Brainstorm.
We study the health impact of the Great Irish Famine by comparing cohorts born during the Famine with those born immediately before and immediately after. We find evidence of selection in the countryside and scarring in the city. Read the article (co-authored with Matthias Blum and Eoin McLaughlin) in The Economic History Review. Marvel at our copious appendices! And read our non-technical summary for RTÉ Brainstorm.
Patently Peculiar
Together with Homer Wagenaar, I have a QUCEH working paper exploring how the patent system worked in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, a state that existed for just 15 years at the start of the nineteenth century. The one-line summary: the system's administrators had an unusual level of discretion over patent grants, but used this to develop an inclusive economic institution open to all, irrespective of ability to pay.
Together with Homer Wagenaar, I have a QUCEH working paper exploring how the patent system worked in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, a state that existed for just 15 years at the start of the nineteenth century. The one-line summary: the system's administrators had an unusual level of discretion over patent grants, but used this to develop an inclusive economic institution open to all, irrespective of ability to pay.
Patent Examination and Financing Innovation
How does patent examination influence access to finance for innovative firms? Together with Stephen Billington and Christopher Coyle, I have a QUCEH working paper exploring this issue using the introduction for the first time of patent examination in the UK in 1905. The one-line summary: firms with examined patents are better able to access bond markets because of the improved signalling quality of patents.
How does patent examination influence access to finance for innovative firms? Together with Stephen Billington and Christopher Coyle, I have a QUCEH working paper exploring this issue using the introduction for the first time of patent examination in the UK in 1905. The one-line summary: firms with examined patents are better able to access bond markets because of the improved signalling quality of patents.
Age heaping: What does it really mean?
You can read my new article (with Stuart Henderson and Eoin McLaughlin) published in the European Review of Economic History on age heaping as an indicator of human capital. We have also written a commentary on the EHES blog and RTÉ Brainstorm, which is meant to spark debate on the future of age heaping as a human capital measure in economic history.
You can read my new article (with Stuart Henderson and Eoin McLaughlin) published in the European Review of Economic History on age heaping as an indicator of human capital. We have also written a commentary on the EHES blog and RTÉ Brainstorm, which is meant to spark debate on the future of age heaping as a human capital measure in economic history.
Mind Your Language!
Why did Irish, the indigenous language of Ireland, fall into disuse in the nineteenth century? In a QUCEH working paper co-authored with Alan Fernihough and Eoin McLaughin, we conduct a quantitative analysis of the 1901 census to uncover that it is all about schooling. But not centrally-planned state-directed education policy.
Why did Irish, the indigenous language of Ireland, fall into disuse in the nineteenth century? In a QUCEH working paper co-authored with Alan Fernihough and Eoin McLaughin, we conduct a quantitative analysis of the 1901 census to uncover that it is all about schooling. But not centrally-planned state-directed education policy.
Business History
I have recently joined the editorial team of Business History, where I am now principally responsible for submissions that employ quantitative methodologies. You can read lengthy editorials about publishing in our journal, and about our peer review process.
I have recently joined the editorial team of Business History, where I am now principally responsible for submissions that employ quantitative methodologies. You can read lengthy editorials about publishing in our journal, and about our peer review process.
Economic History at the Theatre
As part of the Centre for Economics, Policy and History, I have been part of a team to take economic history into Belfast's Lyric Theatre. Watch our latest gig here:
As part of the Centre for Economics, Policy and History, I have been part of a team to take economic history into Belfast's Lyric Theatre. Watch our latest gig here: