Natalie Walsh

Natalie Walsh

Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development, University of Galway

Dr Natalie Walsh is the Director of Entrepreneurial Development at the University of Galway. She has worked in higher education for over sixteen years with senior roles in Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Natalie's experience and expertise spans areas including leadership, strategic planning, project and grant management, finance and human centred design. Natalie holds an MSc in Strategy, Innovation and People Management from the University of Galway and has completed her PhD in Trinity College Dublin using role identity theory to explore the paradox of academic researchers commercialising their research.

Natalie together with her team are leading on two significant projects focussed on transformation change with the University. Designing Futures is a HEA funded project is focused on transforming the student experience.The second project is a European Institute of Technology award, which focuses on International innovation capacity building with a strong focus structural and system changes to support innovation and entrepreneurship across the projects respective entrepreneurial ecosystems.Idea to Impact(i2i) will also create a suite of programmes and training for students, staff and alumni across the West of Ireland, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

Additional projects within Natalie's portfolio include EIT Health funded projects Women Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, SCI FI, Innovation Daysand ENERGHY.