Dr Christopher Kerry

Prior to returning to a full-time academic role, Chris served as Deputy Head of School for Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Tourism within ARU’s School of Management. In this leadership position, he played a key role in curriculum development, academic quality enhancement, staff development, student success initiatives and strategic planning across undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA provision. During this period, he contributed to significant improvements in student outcomes, curriculum innovation, research culture and external engagement, while also supporting the University’s successful TEF Gold and REF submissions.

Chris is passionate about creating engaging and authentic learning experiences that connect academic theory with real-world practice. He has extensive experience teaching innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy and enterprise-related subjects at undergraduate, postgraduate and executive levels across face-to-face, blended and online learning environments.

His research explores how innovation emerges through collaboration between universities, industry, government and communities. He is particularly interested in open innovation, entrepreneurship ecosystems, Triple Helix collaborations, innovation intermediaries, knowledge exchange and civic engagement. His doctoral research at Heriot-Watt University examined the role of innovation intermediaries and open innovation within the UK’s Catapult Centre network.

Chris has successfully led and contributed to a range of externally funded projects involving local authorities, businesses, third-sector organisations and international partners. These projects have focused on entrepreneurship development, business innovation, regional economic development, sustainability, civic engagement and knowledge exchange. He has collaborated with organisations including the British Council, local government authorities, community organisations and universities across the UK, Europe, China and South Africa.

Alongside this, Chris regularly supports organisations through consultancy, curriculum development and strategic advice. Recent projects have included designing new business degree programmes, supporting business innovation and growth, and helping develop approaches to civic impact, entrepreneurship education and regional development.

Chris welcomes opportunities to collaborate with researchers, businesses, policymakers and community organisations interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy, knowledge exchange and regional development.

• Innovation and innovation strategy
• Entrepreneurship and enterprise development
• Open innovation
• Triple Helix and innovation ecosystems
• Knowledge exchange and civic engagement
• Regional economic development
• Innovation intermediaries
• Entrepreneurship education
• Digital innovation and emerging technologies
• Social innovation and community impact
• Strategy and organisational development
• Innovation in hospitality and service industries

• Strategic Management
• Innovation Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Enterprise Development
• Business Strategy
• Entrepreneurial Action
• Leadership and Management
• Business Growth and Development
• Research Methods
• Academic and Professional Skills

• PhD, Heriot-Watt University (2021) – Open Innovation, Triple Helix, Innovation Intermediaries and National Systems of Innovation: A Comparative Case Study Analysis of the Offshore Renewable Energy and High-Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres
• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCert), ARU (2018)

Nagirikandalage, P., Lakhoua, C., Binsardi, A., Tzempelikos, N. and Kerry, C. (2025) 'Expert Perspectives on Factors Shaping Metaverse Adoption for Cultural Heritage Experiences in the Hospitality Industry within an Emerging Economy', International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.

Kerry, C. and Danson, M. (2016) 'Open Innovation, Triple Helix and Regional Innovation Systems: Exploring CATAPULT Centres in the UK', Industry and Higher Education, 30(1), pp. 67–78.