Raphael Bar-El is Professor Emeritus at Ben Gurion University and now a faculty member of the Applied Economics Department at the Sapir Academic College, where he established the specialization of entrepreneurship and innovation. He holds a Ph.D. degree from Bar-Ilan University since 1980. Was a researcher at the Development Study Center (later head of the research department and general director), with extensive experience mostly with developing countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Philippines, Kenya, Turkey, and more). Was head of the National and Economic Planning Authority at the Ministry of Economy, dean of the School of Economics and Business Management at the Ruppin Academic Center and head of the Department of Applied Economics at the Sapir Academic College. He specializes in regional economic development and innovation policy. He is member of the Regional Science Association (RSA) and was awarded the title of honorary doctor by the State University of Ceara (Brazil).