Sheffield University Management School hosts 4th Annual PhD Conference | School of Management

After a four-year hiatus, we were delighted to host our fourth annual PhD Conference, celebrating the work of our postgraduate research community.

On 22 May 2024, PGR academics, professionals and students gathered at Sheffield University Management School for the annual SUMS Doctoral Conference. The conference celebrated the inspiring and world-changing research our PGR students are doing.

Throughout the day, 40 PGR students from our research centers and clusters gave presentations on the varied and impactful research they undertake. Students presented to their PGR colleagues and academics from their research centre, cluster or subject group. The Research Development Directors determined the Best Paper Award winners for each stream based on feedback from PGR faculty and peers.

Before the winners were announced, students and academics came together for a careers panel where a number of our PGR graduates shared their stories of transitioning into academic and non-academic careers after graduation. We were delighted to welcome back:

• Dr. Grace Whitfield – Postdoctoral Researcher, Care Center
• Dr Juan Pablo Winter – Policy Fellow, Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN) at the University of Hull
• Dr Laura Bennett – Head of Enterprise Hub, Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub
• Dr Loice Natukunda – Lecturer in Research Methods, University of Lincoln
• Dr Tobias Stadler – Research and Impact Manager, Skills for Care

In the session, each panelist presented their career path and gave advice to current PGRs on pursuing a career that best suits their aspirations and preferences. They then engaged in a lively discussion with the audience about the challenges and opportunities a PhD presents and how these can be leveraged for career development, encouraging our PGRs to be open and flexible over time who direct their efforts toward careers that match their values ​​and identities. .

This panel session was followed by a keynote address by Professor Karen Niven, Head of the Work Psychology Subject Group at Sheffield University Management School. Professor Niven’s speech, entitled Being productive while you have a life, shared many valuable insights relevant to our PGR students as they consider their future careers. She clarified the importance of discernment when choosing which opportunities to say yes to, the value of surrounding yourself with people who will develop you both inside and outside of work, and some of the techniques that help her be productive in her writing . .

At the end of the day, before a dinner of pie and peas, the winning presenters from each stream were announced:

• Eva Andriani for CRAFiC – Empowering street vendors: using participatory action research to improve financial literacy with environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration
• Songhui Li for CRAFiC – CEO Organizational Identification and Tax Avoidance
• Yuhan Jiang for BRISTT – Sequential Influence of Marketing Communications on Clicks and Trust Dynamics for Emerging Digital Technologies
• Atefeh Afsari for ESIB – TRUST BEYOND SILOS: Understanding the dynamics of trust in cross-sector partnerships for sustainable development
• Hannah Boneham for IWP – Does your boss know how to help you thrive?
• Jai Verma for OMDS – Rethinking indicator frameworks for circular economy transitions
• Rachael Green for CDW and OSC – Visually impaired employees at work: understanding barriers to promotion through a Bourdieusian lens

Professor Fraser McLeay, Dean of the University of Sheffield Management School, said: “Our PGRs are the beating heart of our research culture and represent our future academics and research leaders. The school is very proud of their progress and achievements. Thank you all. who were instrumental in making the day a success including Kirsty Newsome, Malcolm Patterson, Emily Green, Helen Curtis, Isobel Fillingham, Amy Lagnado and Sarah Wilkinson, but a big thank you to conference chair Anna Topakas for working to bring this together event and we are already looking forward to next year’s event.”