Conor is a DPhil candidate in Sociology who is interested in applying quantitative methods to the study of rural development and regional inequality. Specifically, he is concerned with the application of a critical approach to rural development schemes in order to understand what they achieve and how they can best be evaluated.

 Conor previously studied at Trinity College Dublin for a BA in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Sociology and interned at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in macroeconomics. Prior to postgraduate studies Conor worked as a Community Development Officer on the EU-funded LEADER program at one of Ireland’s leading local development NGOs, IRD Duhallow where he managed a wide range of projects in conjunction with local communities. Conor is also currently involved as an expert advisor/policy analyst for the European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD) on the Cowork4Youth project.