In this episode, Simon Hodgkins is in conversation with Stephen Kinsella, a Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Limerick's Kemmy Business School. Kinsella discusses his various roles and responsibilities, including his work as a Chief Economics Writer for The Currency and involvement in a new program called Immersive Software Engineering. Stephen delivers a unique blend of economics, technology, and a forward-thinking approach, preparing students for the challenges of the modern world. Additionally, as the Chief Economics Writer of The Currency, our guest brings a fresh perspective to economic discussions, bridging the gap between academia and the real world. A Storied Institution: The University of Limerick Situated in the Wild Atlantic Gateway city of Limerick on Ireland's west coast, the University of Limerick (UL) stands as a testament to academic excellence. UL is a hub of research and innovation with a student body exceeding 18,000, including over 3,300 internationally mobile students annually. Kemmy Business School: A Legacy of Excellence The Kemmy Business School (KBS) at UL is not just Ireland's largest business school but also a symbol of unparalleled quality in business education. Holding three prestigious international business school accreditations - AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA, KBS is among the elite 1% of business schools globally to achieve this feat. Stephen Kinsella has two PhDs in economics, one from NUI, Galway, and the other from the New School for Social Research, in New York. He has written or edited multiple books and dozens of scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals. Stephen was a weekly columnist for the Sunday Business Post for four years, where he twice won an Economic Commentator of the Year and a Miriam Hederman O'Brien prize for his work on Irish fiscal policy. Stephen has also served as Deputy and Acting Chair of the Higher Education Authority chair of the Irish government's economic evaluation service. He regularly gives testimony before Oireachtas committees on aspects of the Irish and European economies. Simon and Stephen discuss many topics, including the pandemic's impact on remote work and the potential challenges and opportunities it presents for the commercial property market. Stephen explores different ideas for repurposing commercial properties, such as transforming them into sustainable gardens, innovation hubs, or cultural spaces. He emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and ambition in shaping the future. Leading Research Initiatives Being the Principal Investigator (PI) for research programmes like +CityXChange and SMARTLAB_LK, our guest is at the forefront of groundbreaking research. These initiatives aim to address pressing societal challenges, leveraging the power of economics and technology. Stephen also discusses the need for engineering and critical thinking expertise and encourages individuals to pursue technical, arts, and social sciences disciplines. Kinsella shares his enjoyment of his current roles and writing a new book. He concludes by inviting listeners to think about their vision for the future. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, luminaries like Professor Stephen Kinsella light the way, pushing boundaries in academia, research, and real-world applications. About The Global Discussion: The podcast features carefully curated guests from an exciting cross-section of creatives, leaders, and thinkers. New episodes are available on Apple, Google, and Spotify podcasts and several leading podcast platforms. You can listen to and watch the episodes on our dedicated YouTube channel and the website.  Watch or listen to The Global Discussion https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com Audio Podcast: Spotify | Google | Apple Video Podcast: https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com YouTube: https://bit.ly/TGD-YouTube Follow us on Social Media