Julie Whittaker joined the University of Exeter as a member of the (former) Agricultural Economics Unit and then held the post of Senior Lecturer in the Business School until 2015. Her teaching and research interests have focused on understanding the extent to which market oriented activities can be attuned to societal objectives, and questioning what processes and instruments are required for markets to re-organise. Her research has been inspired by the writings of Adam Smith. Although Smith is best known as the author of An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations advocating the benefits of markets driven by self-interest, of at least equal if not more importance to him, were the ideas incorporated in his first book The Theory of Moral Sentiments which accentuate the virtue of other-regarding behaviour. The question of how the two motivations, of self-interest and other-regarding, can be reconciled was a matter of deliberation for Smith and remains very relevant.

Julie’s recent published research has focused on how markets evolve in response to social pressure, and whether stock markets value responsible management.

Current research concentrates on how business opportunities from a circular economy might be attained. The concept of a circular economy offers the opportunity for an economy to grow yet also be ecologically resilient, and create jobs in both remanufacturing and in high tech industries. Julie was instrumental in setting up the Circular Economy Business Forum for developing circular business opportunities in the south west region.

Qualifications

BA, MPhil (Nott)

Links

• For further information on the circular economy see this link and its links to other webpages