Robert (Bob) O'Connor

Professor Robert O?Connor M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., D.Econ.Sc. (1916-1997) Robert (Bob) O?Connor joined the ESRI as a Research Professor in 1967 and became the Institute?s Deputy Director in 1974. He served in this position until his retirement in 1981 and thereafter as Consultant to the Institute until his death in 1997. His basic degree was in agricultural science and a grant from the Marshall Aid Fund allowed him to study agricultural economics in Iowa State University. He then went on to complete a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics in the National University of Ireland. He was recruited by the Central Statistics Office as Chief Farm Accounts Officer in 1954 and served in the CSO until 1967. At the Institute he was involved in a wide range of research, most of it relating to the economics of natural resources including agriculture, fisheries, the environment and forestry. Hi many ESRI publications can be accessed on the ESRI website. He served on a number of national and international bodies including the OECD, and the American, British, European and International Societies of Agricultural Economists. He was an active member of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland and served as its President for the session 1980-83.