Raphael Bar El | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Raphael Bar El | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award 

Professor | Ben-Gurion University of the Negev | Israel

Prof. Raphael Bar El is a distinguished economist and innovation scholar recognized for his extensive contributions to the fields of regional development, innovation policy, and public management. His research focuses on innovation systems, entrepreneurship, and the strategic interplay between economic policy and regional growth. Professor Bar-El has authored and edited several influential books, such as Regional Development and Conflict Management: A Case for Brazil, Desenvolvimento Econômico Regional para a Redução da Pobreza e Desigualdade, Industrialização Rural no Nordeste, and The Economic Development of the Arab Sector in Israel. His academic publications have appeared in leading volumes and journals, addressing topics such as under-investment in innovative enterprises, the spatial distribution of high-tech industries, and socio-economic policy frameworks for conflict regions. Professor Bar-El’s leadership extends beyond academia to public service and international development. He has served as Director of the National and Economic Planning Authority at the Ministry of Economy and Planning and as Director General of the Development Study Center. As the Founder and President of the Israeli Regional Science Association, he has played a pioneering role in advancing regional science and innovation policy in Israel and abroad. His expertise has been sought by numerous international organizations and governments, including the World Bank, UNDP, and various ministries across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, where he has led and advised more than thirty major development and innovation projects. With an academic record comprising 56 documents, 387 citations across 328 publications, and an h-index of 11, Professor Bar-El continues to influence policy thinking and academic discourse on regional innovation and sustainable economic development. His long-standing commitment to integrating theory with practical policy solutions has positioned him as a leading voice in shaping innovation ecosystems and fostering socio-economic growth across diverse regions.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications :

Bar-El, R., Gavious, I., Kaufmann, D., & Schwartz, D. (2017). Under-investments in innovative SMEs: The effect of entrepreneurial cognitive bias. In K. O. Lundvall & P. Nielsen (Eds.), Human capital and assets in the networked world.

Schwartz, D., Avnimelech, G., & Bar-El, R. (2012). The location of knowledge economy and high-tech in Israel. In J. K. Gibson-Graham & G. Roelvink (Eds.), Societies in motion: Innovation, migration and regional transformation.

Bar-El, R. (2014). Economic considerations in implementing a parallel states structure. In M. Cohen & C. Scheindlin (Eds.), One land, two states: Israel and Palestine as parallel states University of California Press.

Bar-El, R., & Co-authors. (2024). Can the periphery survive innovation-led growth? Insights from Israel. Regional Studies, Regional Science.

Bar-El, R., & Co-authors. (2022). Adapting reverse mentoring strategy to SMEs: A new pilot model implemented in Brazil. Sustainability.

Anita Boros | Innovation Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Anita Boros | Innovation Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Anita Boros, Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hungary.

Prof. Dr. Anita Boros (b. 1980) is a distinguished Hungarian legal scholar, academic leader, and public policy expert with a multifaceted career spanning academia, government, and strategic consultancy. With over two decades of experience in higher education and public service, she currently holds professorships at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the National University of Public Service, and the University of Physical Education. Her expertise lies in public administration law, green innovation policy, and sustainability-focused legal frameworks. Prof. Boros has held influential roles in several ministries, served as Secretary of State at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and actively shaped legal and economic reforms at the national level. A habilitated doctor and former deputy state secretary, her ongoing work focuses on the interface between governance, law, and sustainable development. Her impactful teaching, pioneering research, and public engagement make her a key figure in Hungarian academia and policy circles.

👨‍🎓 Profile  

Orcid

scopus

🎓 Education and Qualifications

Prof. Dr. Boros holds multiple academic and professional qualifications in law, economics, and public administration. She earned her law degree from Eötvös Loránd University (2005) and completed her PhD at Károli Gáspár University’s Doctoral School of Political Science and Law (2008). She also completed a comparative LL.M. at Andrássy University Budapest (2010) and obtained the habilitated doctoral title (dr. habil.) from the National University of Public Service (2016). Her multidisciplinary training includes a Public Procurement Officer qualification from Corvinus University (2006) and vocational education in industrial law protection. These credentials underscore her robust theoretical foundation and diverse professional readiness in law, governance, and public administration. She is also a certified legal examiner and an experienced university-level trainer in public procurement law and state asset management. Her academic path reflects a dynamic and evolving commitment to knowledge and leadership across Hungary’s legal and administrative frameworks.

🏛️ Professional Experience

Prof. Boros has held impactful academic and public sector roles since 2001. She began as a registrar at Károli Gáspár University before becoming a lecturer and eventually professor and head of institute at the National University of Public Service. Between 2010 and 2021, she served in key public administration roles, including Head of Department at the Public Procurement Authority, Chief Adviser at the Ministry of National Development, Deputy State Secretary, and finally Secretary of State at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. She also acted as a CEO consultant at MBH Bank and founded a legal practice in 2017. Her leadership spans numerous institutions, including professorial appointments at the University of Physical Education and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She has led innovation centers focusing on circular economy and green technologies. Her distinguished career demonstrates excellence in both academic instruction and public policy implementation.

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Boros’s current research is dedicated to the intersection of green innovation, economic law, and sustainability. Her work focuses on themes such as green economy, circular economy, green finance, and the sustainability of sports and infrastructure. She previously researched administrative law, EU procedural law, public procurement, and state asset management. She has coordinated several national research projects, including analysis of the RENEUAL model rules and trends in the green construction industry. As head of the GREENOLOGY Knowledge Center and Circular Economy Analysis Center, she led cross-disciplinary research on energy utilization, green retrofits, and modular architecture. Prof. Boros plays an instrumental role in the integration of legal frameworks with environmental policy and innovation. Her scholarly inquiry contributes not only to Hungarian academic discourse but also addresses pressing global challenges in sustainable development and legal modernization.

🏆 Awards 

Prof. Boros has received numerous accolades recognizing her scholarly excellence and public service. Early in her career, she was awarded the prestigious Republican Scholarship (2000) by the Ministry of Education. Her academic contributions were honored when she was named Teacher of the Year at Corvinus University (2008). During her tenure at the Ministry of National Development, she earned a Ministerial Recognition (2014), followed by the Pro Regio Award and the Hungarian Road Award (2017). Her recent contributions to sustainability and green finance were acknowledged through the MNB Green Financial Science Award (2022) by the Hungarian National Bank. Additionally, she received the Pro Procurationem Award from the Public Procurement Authority (2023) and the Pro Urbe Award from Fehérgyarmat Municipality (2022). These accolades illustrate her outstanding achievements in academia, law, innovation, and public administration.

📚 Publications Top Notes

Green Public Procurement: Legal Challenges in Hungary. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies.

Circular Economy and Sustainability in Public Administration. Journal of Environmental Policy and Law.

Legal Aspects of Green Financing in the EU. European Public Law Journal.

The Role of Administrative Law in Economic Sustainability. Hungarian Review of Public Law.

✅ Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Anita Boros exemplifies academic brilliance, policy leadership, and innovative vision. Her trajectory from legal scholar to Secretary of State and research director has been fueled by a deep commitment to institutional transformation and sustainable development. Her pioneering efforts in public procurement law and circular economy have set new benchmarks in governance and interdisciplinary research. As a professor across multiple institutions, she inspires future leaders while driving impactful policy reforms. Her research leadership at GREENOLOGY and MATE has facilitated innovation ecosystems that blend legal compliance with green technology. With numerous national awards, published works, and cross-sector collaborations, Prof. Boros is uniquely positioned at the confluence of education, law, and sustainability. These attributes make her a strong and deserving candidate for national and international recognition through distinguished awards in research, policy innovation, and academic excellence.