Francesca is a Reader in Institutional Economics at the University of Hertfordshire. Her research relies on the principles of comparative institutional analysis to study the creation and performance of SMEs, particularly co-operatives. She is currently developing historical case studies of the co-operative sector in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands. Francesca has served on the board of a number of organisations and among her current positions is the treasurer of the World Interdisciplinary Network for Institutional Research.