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People



Prof Thomas Cooney

Professor of Entrepreneurship

Email: thomas.cooney@TUDublin.ie

Professor Thomas Cooney is a leading scholar in the field of Inclusive Entrepreneurship, currently serving as Professor of Entrepreneurship at Technological University Dublin and Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Inclusion and Innovation (CEBII). His work focuses on fostering entrepreneurship among underrepresented and marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, refugees, asylum seekers, and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. He serves as Course Director for multiple inclusive entrepreneurship programmes and has led 23 funded research projects as Principal Investigator. Professor Cooney has published extensively, with 38 journal articles, 13 books, 26 book chapters, 20 case studies, and 22 reports to his credit. He is the former Editor of Small Enterprise Research and holds several honorary and leadership titles, including Honorary President of the Feiyang Entrepreneurship Research Institute (China) and Global Associate at the Center for Science and Commercial Diplomacy (Denmark). 

Among numerous accolades, he has been recognised as a Wilford L. White Fellow (a prestigious global award), named an EntreComp Champion, and elected Fellow of the European Council for Small Business. He is also an Honorary Life Member of the Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ). 

Research Interests 

  • Inclusive Entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurship Education and Learning Innovation
  • Policy and Strategy for Entrepreneurship Development
  • Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Social Impact 

Leadership & Service 

  • President, International Council for Small Business (2012–2013)
  • President, European Council for Small Business (2009–2011)
  • Chair, ICSB World Entrepreneurship Conference (2014)
  • Member, OECD EU Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy (YEPA) (2022–present)
  • Grand Jury Member, European Enterprise Promotion Awards (2014–present)
  • Founder & Board Member, INTRE (Ireland’s Network of Teachers and Researchers in Entrepreneurship)
  • Member, Irish Department of Enterprise “SME and Entrepreneurship Consultation Group” (2019–2020)
  • Expert, European Entrepreneurship Education NETwork (EE-HUB.EU) (2015–2019)