Dr Lisa Farrell

“I came to UCD in February 2005 having taken a year’s leave from the University of Melbourne, where I had been working for five years.  I class myself as an applied micro-economist and my research interests are predominantly focused on the consumption of risky products. I look at all the sins – smoking, drinking and gambling – but I also examine consumption behaviour in response to food scares, and the income risk associated with self-employment.

“Current projects involve looking at the prevalence and health perceptions of users of illicit tobacco, and support for the death penalty in response to the risk of terrorism. Risk affects many aspects of economic behaviour and public policy.

“The links between the UCD Geary Institute and the School of Economics are an invaluable asset to my research. I have the best of both worlds: the School of Economics offers me a peer group with which I can discuss publication strategies and work in progress, while the Geary Institute offers an exciting mix of researchers from across the social science and medical disciplines, all undertaking research in areas similar to my own. 

“I think the interesting mix of disciplines makes it fun for me. At the University of Melbourne, Economics was based in the Commerce Faculty with Business-related subjects, whereas in UCD I have a host of different disciplines to get to know.

“I also like the fact that my research has policy relevance. My specialist knowledge of the gambling industry has meant I have acted as a consultant to the UK government, the Victorian State government (in Australia) and the Irish Greyhound Board on issues pertaining to licensing and regulation in the betting and gaming sector. It is great to know that your research has an impact.

“It is an inclusive research environment with a team that is facing the challenge of establishing itself as a credible, recognised research centre within both academic and policy arenas.

“The interaction with PhD students is what I enjoy most. Good graduate students bring an air of freshness in the way they look at things and, albeit with a certain degree of naivety, often challenge established ways of thinking. Undertaking a PhD is an emotional trial as much as an academic one and it great to watch students succeed after periods of doubt, and often panic, along the way.

“The Geary Institute website has lots of interesting social science research-related reading. There is also a blog so you can join in and share your thoughts and ideas with us.”