Meet the team: 'If you want to understand what’s going on in the world that is really out there, you need to know economics.'

As we continue to meet the teams that are essential to the teaching at Harper, Dr. Dimitrios Paparas explains the importance of economics as a Principal Lecturer in the Land, Farm and Agribusiness Management department.

“Economics literally changed my life," Dimitrios explained. "Having a wonderful faculty member when I was an undergraduate student at a Greek University turned me on to what the science could do: to understanding how actors and markets behaved, how institutions were either structured effectively or ineffectively. It was a very powerful framework that has guided me throughout my career."

Dimitrios is passionate about what Harper Adams brings to students' academic careers. He commented: “I believe that we can offer you the same insights and benefits that I had access to.

“When an artist looks at the world, he sees colour. When a musician looks at the world, he hears music. When an economist looks at the world, he sees a symphony of costs and benefits. The economist’s world might not be as colourful or as melodic as the other’s worlds, but it’s more practical. If you want to understand what’s going on in the world that is really out there, you need to know economics.

"What will your life be like during 2020 to 2030? What kind of work will you do after graduating from Harper? How much you will earn?  Where you will be living? Will you buy a home? The answers have to do with economics!”

Dimitrios received his BSc and Master in Agricultural Economics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki before furthering his studies with Kingston University of London, University of East London and Keele University. He has also worked as a lecturer in Kingston University and University of East London, before joining Harper Adams.

Dimitrios has worked as a Visiting Professor in Beijing Agricultural University, Huazong University and Coventry University and as a Visiting Researcher in German University in Cairo and British University in Egypt. 

Alongside his academic qualifications, Dimitrios is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the International network for Economic Research.

To find out more about how economics fits into the overall agribusiness industry, see our courses here.