Dr Robert Butler is a Senior Lecturer in Economics. His research interests are focused on the economics of sport and institutional economics. 

Robbie is an associate editor Economic Inquiry, and an associate editor with Economic and Social Review. He currently also sits on the Board of the European Sport Economic Association.

His research has been published in leading international journals including the British Journal of Industrial Relations, European Journal of Operational Research, Kyklos, European Sports Management Quarterly, Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Institutional Economics, Journal of Rural Studies, Journal of Sports Economics, Journal of Economic Studies and The Scottish Journal of Political Economy.

Robbie has been awarded the President's Prize for Excellence in Teaching, and has won the Teaching Hero Award from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, becoming the first UCC person to receive both awards.

Robbie is also Co-Director of the Centre for Sports Economics and Law, a Teaching Fellow within UCC's CITRL and a Fellow on the id+ Programme.

Robbie's research is focused on institutional economics and sports economics. Some of his work in the area of sport can be found at www.sportseconomics.org.

Robbie has acted as a reviewer for a wide-range of international peer-reviewed journals including Management Science, International Journal of Forecasting, International Journal of Game Theory, Public Choice, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Economic Inquiry,  European Journal of Operational Research, Journal of Economics and Statistics, Applied Economics, Applied Economic Letters, European Sport Management Quarterly, Journal of Institutional Economics, Journal of Sport Management, Journal of Rural Studies, Economic Modelling, International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, Economics Bulletin, Managing Sport and Leisure, Sports Economics Review, Business Economics, Journal of Sports Economics, Australian Economic Papers and Journal of Sports Science.

Robbie currently teaches macroeconomics, sports economics and economic history across the undergradate programme. 

At introductory level Robbie has also instructed principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics to Arts, Commerce, Computer Science, Social Science, Government and Accountancy students. At intermediate level he has lectured macroeconomics to BA degree students and Evening BA degree students.

Robbie has also delivered final year modules in innovation, competitiveness and economic growth. At postgraduate level Robbie has taught business simulations and research methods and delivered classes at both MBA level and Executive Education.