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Zafer Sonmez

Lead Research Associate, Innovation & Technology

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About

Zafer is an economic researcher specializing in regional economic analysis, with a focus on the geography of innovation. His work centres on measuring national and regional innovation performance, intellectual property systems, and conducting economic impact assessments. He is a co-author of Signal49 Research’s Innovation Report Card and has contributed to research on the impact of automation technologies on Canada’s local economies, including the development of an automation vulnerability index.

As a regional economic researcher, Zafer brings a strong understanding of national systems of innovation, the role of spatial proximity in the innovation process, and the sectoral composition and transformation of regional economies. He is skilled in quantitative data analysis and policy evaluation, with experience translating complex data into actionable insights. Zafer also contributes to the academic community as a referee for journals such as Economics of Innovation and New Technology and Technology Analysis and Strategic Management. He is a Fulbright Scholar and a recipient of NASA’s Silver Group Achievement Award for his contributions to the agency’s first Economic Impact Report.

Employment History

  • Lead Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada
  • Post-doctoral Research Associate, Voorhees Center, University of Illinois
  • Research Assistant, University of Illinois
  • Research Assistant, Colorado Center for Sustainable Urbanism, University of Colorado

Academic Qualifications

  • M.A. Public Administration, University of Illinois
  • Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois
  • M.A. Urban and Regional Planning (Fulbright Scholarship), University of Colorado
  • B.A. City and Regional Planning (first honours degree), Gazi University

Contact

[email protected]

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