Dr Ann Torres
Associate Professor in Marketing
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway
Ann's research interests lie in the convergence of strategy, entrepreneurship and marketing practices. In this context, she is curious about the confluence between digital marketing, social media marketing, and marketing communications, as well as between organisational strategy and innovative marketing practice. Her interest in negotiating theory and practice adds an additional dimension to these topics.
Ann is recognised as an accomplished writer, earning more than a dozen awards for her work. As an award-winning case writer, a key contribution to the marketing discipline is the catalogue of cases she has produced for academic journals, text books, exams and undergraduate/postgraduate modules. She has been nominated more than a half a dozen times for teaching excellence and was recently recognised by the College of Business, Public Policy and Law for an Inclusive Teaching Award (2022).
Ann's work contributes to these SDGs
Ann's core research and teaching is in digital marketing, social media and marketing communications. Ann proactively works with numerous indigenous SMEs (e.g., TG4, Bloom in a Box, Revive Active, Pocket Anatomy) in research activities relating to product testing, market development, social media and digital marketing. These firms frequently become the focus of applied student projects for the modules she delivers (i.e. MK5139 Social Media Marketing Theory and MK3103 Digital Marketing). She has considerable experience in working with semi-state and non-profit organisations (e.g., Crafts Council of Ireland, MSF Ireland, MII) as consultant/advisor to examine sector trends, assess distribution channels, and identify communication media. She also has wide experience of working with community groups and co-ops (e.g., Le Chéile, Westside Enterprise Centre Ltd) as an advisor/trainer to groups of small enterprises in developing their own marketing plans and doing their own investigations into market research.
Digital Marketing and Social Media
MK3103 Digital Marketing
MK5139 Social Media Marketing Theory
Key Targets: 8.2 Diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic productivity and 8.3 Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprise
Teaching
Ann has a notable reputation for delivering effective executive education seminars in the area of negotiations. She has studied extensively at the premier centres of excellence for negotiations (e.g., Harvard's Program on Negotiation, University of California at Berkeley Haas School of Business, Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, Yale School of Management, INSEAD Business School, MIT Sloane School of Management, LSE, University of Cape Town, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, and Cambridge Judge Business School).
Negotiation is a dialogue to discover common ground among parties with differing aims, needs and perspectives in order to achieve a solution; it is a valuable leadership and management skill. Innovative teaching techniques strengthen learning outcomes, generate enthusiasm, and stimulate learners’ thought processes. Business Negotiations is delivered in a blended mode, whereby learners complete an online tutorial, discussions and assessments in advance of attending workshop sessions. Discussions directed through case studies, role-plays and simulations encourage divergent enquiry and reflect a learner-centred pedagogy because learners co-create new learning opportunities. The best way to learn to negotiate is by doing and these on-campus workshops enable learners to put theory into practice through a series of simulation exercises. As negotiation modules are highly experiential, peer-to-peer learning is the norm. Thoughtful questioning, listening and responding during discussions enables learners to clarify their thinking, test assumptions, seek evidence to support arguments, consider alternative perspectives, and outline possible implications. Through this discursive engagement, they become active, independent learners.
Business Negotiations
MK516 Business Negotiation
MK5116 Negotiations
MK8104 Negotiation Skills
Focusing on Targets: 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions,16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive and representative decision-making
Engagement
As Vice Dean of Internationalisation, Ann directed the international efforts within the College of Business, Public Policy and Law. The greater part of her activities related to developing and implementing strategies to achieve the College's ambitious goals, with a particular emphasis on international partnership agreements and double degrees with partner universities. Internationalisation is now a cornerstone of the College's strategic and operational aims and the College has become a University leader for internationalisation.
Direct impact SDG Targets
4.3 - Equal access to affordable technical, vocational and higher education
4.7 - Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
8.2 - Diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic productivity
8.6 - Promote youth employment, education and training
17.15 - Respect national leadership to implement policies for the sustainable development goals
Indirect
3.4 - Reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health
4.5 - Eliminate all discrimination in education
4.B - Expand higher education scholarships for developing countries
8.3 - Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises
16.7 - Ensure responsive, inclusive and representative decision-making
Research
Featured Publications
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References |
SDGs |
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Illescas-Manzano, M. D., Martínez-Puertas, S., Sánchez-Pérez, M., Torres, A. M. (2023). Look before you leap: Comparison and profiles of hotel price determinants in four European markets. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103401 |
8.2, 8.3 |
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Torres, A. M., Doherty, A. (2022). Experiential Marketing in a Digital Era. In Hanlon, A. and Tuten T. L. (eds), SAGE Handbook of Social Media Marketing. London: Sage Publications Ltd, 33-53. |
8.2, 8.3 |
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Torres, A. M., Keenan, A. (2022). Positive Messaging and Employee Brand Advocacy. In Hanlon, A. and Tuten T. L. (eds.), SAGE Handbook of Social Media Marketing. London: Sage Publications Ltd, 339-357. |
8.2, 8.3 |
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Keegan, G., Torres, A. M. (eds) (2023). Infrastructure Projects & Local Communities. Dublin: IPCA Global. |
16.6, 16.7 |
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Keegan, G., Torres, A. M. (eds) (2021). Offshore Wind Farm Projects Stakeholder Engagement & Community Benefits: A Practical Guide. Dublin: IPCA Global. |
16.6, 16.7 |