Leadership and Leadership Development SIG Doctoral Representative Election

Can management research enhance growth? Is it possible to design effective policies that will successfully foster societal development? Having worked extensively in Africa, the need to explore these issues has driven my passion to undertake a PhD at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). I see this as my responsibility to the society. My research interests include exploring the significance of Trust among African minority entrepreneurs, institutional trust, culture and deterrents to enterprise development in emerging market economies.

As the PGR doctoral college board representative at the UWS, I have been instrumental in developing the University’s vibrant and dynamic research community. In contributing towards the delivery of the BAM vision, I hope to build research networks to enable a cross pollination of ideas and foster management research. For us as students, we must recognize and appreciate BAMs remarkable gains from the past, critically reflect on emerging challenges for the future, and realign our strategic approaches to ensure we uphold the BAM vision. If elected, I hope to lead by effectively focusing on high impact areas which includes strategic networking partnerships, setting up and supporting grant schemes, exploring funding options for students and improving our social media visibility. 

I present my interest to serve as doctoral representative on the BAM Leadership Special Interest Group Committee. As doctoral representative, I can offer a unique perspective to the SIG committee that will advance the needs and interests of doctoral members, promoting a supportive and inclusive environment where doctoral students can connect, collaborate, and develop professionally. Key initiatives that I would like to undertake to represent the interests of doctoral students on the SIG council if elected include:

• Peer Group and Mentorship: Establish peer groups, where doctoral students can support and learn from each other, benefiting from peer mentoring in the process. Additionally, I intend to facilitate connection between doctoral students and experienced researchers and practitioners in the SIG whereby doctoral students can learn and be mentored by experienced colleagues in a group setting.
• Professional Development Workshops: Organise workshops and seminars on contemporary leadership issues such as Sustainable Leadership, Remote work and virtual leadership, leadership in post-pandemic era, Digital Transformation and Leadership, and AI, Strategic decision-making and Innovation.
• Networking Events: Facilitate networking opportunities between doctoral students in the Leadership SIG, and with doctoral students from other SIGs in BAM with potential for cross-disciplinary interactions and collaboration.
• Collaboration and Advocacy: Work collaboratively within the SIG to advocate for policies that support the research and professional development of doctoral members.

I have strong collaboration and communication skills and a proven track record of working in interdisciplinary contexts. I am also committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Thank you for considering my application.

In applying for the role of Doctoral Representative at the Leadership and Leadership Development SIG Committee, I bring a unique blend of academic excellence, research expertise, and a commitment to leadership development. As a PhD candidate in Management and Marketing, my research on leadership ethics and its influence on employee brand loyalty demonstrates my deep understanding of leadership dynamics. This is further evidenced by my extensive academic roles, including tutoring and mentoring at prestigious institutions such as Imperial College and London Business School, where I have developed leadership-focused curricula and engaged students in leadership-related topics.

Through these experiences, I have cultivated the ability to bridge theoretical concepts with practical leadership strategies, which aligns with the SIG’s mission of fostering leadership scholarship and practice. My involvement in conference presentations, particularly on leadership ethics, coupled with my role as a reviewer for esteemed academic conferences, further positions me to contribute to the committee’s strategic initiatives.

I aim to amplify doctoral students' voices, promoting leadership development that is both inclusive and forward-thinking. By leveraging my teaching, research, and academic leadership experiences, I can offer valuable insights to the SIG, particularly in areas of ethical leadership and organisational behaviour, to support its ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of leadership scholars.