Dr Robert Butler is a Senior Lecturer in Economics. He commenced working for the Department of Economics in September 2006. His research interests are focused on the economics of sport and institutional economics. He was named UCC College of Business of Law Researcher of the Year in 2021.

Robbie is an associate editor with ABS 3* journal Economic Inquiry and sits on the Board of the European Sport Economic Association. His research has been published in leading international journals and includes ABS 4* papers in the British Journal of Industrial Relations and European Journal of Operational Research. Robbie also has papers in ABS 3* and ABS 2* journals including 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.

In October 2015, Robbie was awarded the President's Prize for Excellence in Teaching, becoming one of the youngest staff members to receive the award. In October 2016, he 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.

Since November 2017 Robbie has been Co-Director of the Centre for Sports Economics and Law. He has been a Teaching Fellow within UCC's CITRL since September 2018 and a Fellow on the id+ Programme since 2024. 

At introductory level Robbie has 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.