The Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)
Our Vision
To be a global hub of excellence that cultivates a forward-thinking, globally connected research environment—supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration and inspiring innovative knowledge creation that advances pathways of peace, economic progress, social justice, resilience, equity, and sustainable prosperity across diverse communities worldwide.
Our Mission
Our mission is to drive meaningful contributions to knowledge by actively investigating the challenges and trends impacting stakeholders in economic and social development across local, regional, and global contexts. Our key objective is to steer our special interest groups to serve SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG17 (Partnership for the Goals).
Within this research centre we aim:
- To conduct rigorous research addressing critical challenges and emerging trends affecting economic and social development at local, regional, and global levels.
- To foster collaboration within special interest groups and build global partnerships that actively contribute to achieving SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
- To translate research findings into practical policies and strategies that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and social justice.
The vision and mission of the Centre for Global Economic and Social Development are designed to converge and synergise the work of its Special Interest Groups (SIGs):
- Regional Growth and Development: This group actively engages and partners with local and regional stakeholders to address emerging development challenges, including the sustainable growth of SMEs, innovation-driven enterprises, the integration of AI in business, and alternative pathways to social progress.
- International Business and Development: This group serves as a hub for internationally focused researchers passionate about exploring critical dimensions of international business and development, including emerging market trends, contemporary IB challenges, global innovation strategies, shifts in foreign direct investment (FDI), and behavioural studies on multinational enterprises (MNEs).
- Peace and Development: This group partners with organisations in humanitarianism, diplomacy, and tourism-as-cultural-understanding to explore how peace can serve as both a condition and an outcome of development. In addition, it coordinates the Centre’s activities as part of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), ensuring that the global principles of education, sustainability, intercultural dialogue, and conflict resolution are embedded in all aspects of the Centre’s research and outreach.
- Core Members actively engage result-driven activities within SIGs in line with centre’s research vision and mission. Centre leadership roles are subject to be reviewed by the deanery team annually.
- Associate Members contributes to the centre with their expertise and benefit from its activities within SIGs in line with centre’s research vision and mission.
- PGR Student Members are Level 8 students and alumni who can engage in SIGs and Level 7 dissertation students)
- External Members are academics and expert professionals beyond UON and can engage with centre activities in a meaningful way.
- External Partners are partnering universities and institutions locally and internationally.
Dr Fabio Carbone
Head of the UON Research Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)
Lecturer in Events, Tourism & Hospitality Management
fabio.carbone@northampton.ac.uk
View Fabio’s PURE profile
Dr Deniz Meric
Head of the UON Research Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)
Senior Lecturer in Strategy and International Business
Dr Deniz Meric is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy and International Business at the University of Northampton, specialising in international strategic management and practice-based pedagogies. Her research focuses on multinational enterprises’ foreign direct investment in emerging economies, case study development, and innovative approaches to business education. She supervises doctoral candidates and actively contributes to advancing applied research in strategic management.
Deniz has played a key role in curriculum design and validation across multiple business programmes, integrating research-informed teaching to enhance student engagement. Her academic leadership is complemented by industry experience in the automotive and health sectors, which informs her global and practical perspective in the classroom. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she was nominated for the UON People Awards 2024 in recognition of her pedagogic innovation and collaborative leadership.
Centre Leadership Roles
- GESD Centre Leaders
- GESD Special Interest Group Leaders
Research and Knowledge Exchange
- GESD Principal Investigators (PIs)
- GESD Research Fellows/Associates
Operational and Support
- Operations Manager
- Impact & Engagement Officer
- UON Research Support Team – Allocated Officer
- UON Knowledge Exchange Support Team – Allocated Officer