Also in the news
UK CoARA National Chapter Open Meeting presentation
Qawiyah Haroon-Tejumola Research and Knowledge Exchange Associate, Department of Work, Employment and Organisation, presented at the first hybrid UK CoARA National Chapter Open Meeting, held at the Wellcome Trust in London and online on September 3.
The event’s theme, “Moving Principles into Practice Together,” focused on the shared challenges and possibilities in implementing responsible research assessment.
Together with Professor Churnjeet Mahn, Qawiyah delivered a talk during the case studies session titled “Implementing Responsible Research Assessment.” Churnjeet shared the wider aims and progress of the Collaborative Cultures initiative at the University, while Qawiyah presented their knowledge exchange project developed in partnership with Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS), which was funded through the initiative.
Qawiyah focused on what has worked so far, the positive response from third sector organisations, and the value of creating more inclusive research partnerships. One key outcome of the project has been addressing equality barriers in collaborative research.
Their workshops brought together staff from across the third sector (regardless of role or seniority) with the shared aim of building research capacity. These sessions offered equal access to university expertise, simplified academic processes, and introduced new funding opportunities. Participants felt more confident engaging with academics, helping to break down long-standing barriers and create meaningful partnerships.
Qawiyah said, “The event was a strong reminder that through collaboration and shared learning, we can make responsible and inclusive research practices a reality.”
Full time MBAs enjoy London study visit
Our full time MBA students recently took part in a study trip to London. This was an incredible opportunity for experiential learning, professional development, and industry engagement. Over three packed days, the group broadened their industry exposure and professional development through cultural experiences and meaningful corporate visits.
Highlights included a private tour of the Palace of Westminster; company visits to Better Society Capital and HSBC; and a compelling session on public affairs. The group also enjoyed a cruise along the River Thames and a group dinner.
This trip brought classroom theory to life, helping the group better understand leadership, policy, and strategic decision-making across sectors.
Management Science awarded US Air Force Grant
Professor Kerem Akartunali and Shona Blair from the Department of Management Science have been awarded a $45k research grant from the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
The grant will support the three-year research project "Bridging Robust Optimization, Empirical Bayes and Data Analytics", where the Management Science team will explore the fascinating interface between machine learning/data science, statistics and optimisation.
The team plans to apply their findings to practical cases stemming from industry, such as in classical manufacturing and non-renewable energy systems. The grant will also provide partial support to a new PhD student.
Academic gives closing plenary at British Sociological Association conference
Dr Jen Remnant, Department of Work, Employment and Organisation, gave the closing plenary at the British Sociological Association’s Annual Medical Sociology Conference on which took place from September 10-12 at Northumbria University.
Jen’s talk was entitled, ‘Sick at Work, Sick of Work - managing long-term ill-health in the contemporary UK workplace’.
In contemporary society, paid employment functions as a powerful indicator of a person’s perceived social worth. When asked, “What do you do?”, people understand the question as one about occupation, and intuitively recognise its deeper implications: our response will invite assumptions about our identity. Yet for those living with long-term ill-health, this question can be fraught. Health status often complicates conventional narratives of productivity and success, and so responding to this question can demand a careful negotiation of what to disclose – especially for those experiencing worklessness.
Yet long-term ill-health does not necessarily preclude participation in paid work. Many people continue to work while managing ongoing symptoms, navigating environments often defined by rigid expectations, limited flexibility, and normative assumptions about healthy, productive bodies. When we go to work, our symptoms come with us. In many contexts, work can exacerbate or worsen our symptoms.
In her talk, she presented research on the lived realities of those working with long-term symptoms, focusing on the tension between unruly bodies that experience pain, fatigue, incontinence and bleeding, and the structured, often inhospitable landscapes of many contemporary workplaces. She addressed how individuals strive to maintain credibility, job security, and professional inclusion while managing symptoms that are messy, unpredictable, and socially uncomfortable.
Jen argued for a more expansive view of what work could be. In doing so, she aimed to challenge employment practices that routinely deny or devalue bodily difference.
MBA students’ economics engagement session and NMIS site visit
Our full-time MBA students participated in a Module Engagement Session with Jonathan Kemp, who shared valuable real-world insights drawn from his professional experience. Jonathan is an FMCG brand building specialist and experienced Non-Executive Director.
The session in early September brought theory to life by connecting practical examples to key concepts from the Economic Analysis for Strategists module, led by Strathclyde’s Alex Dickson and Otto Lenhart.
The talk was an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of economic principles and their application in strategic decision-making.
Some of our full time MBA students also enjoyed a visit to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland in September - seeing first hand that innovation and collaboration are key to progress.
Deepening Engagement with the Third Sector: Creating a more collaborative and engaging research culture at Strathclyde
A cross-disciplinary team at the University of Strathclyde has partnered with Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) to design and deliver a five-part workshop series aimed at strengthening research collaboration with third sector organisations.
This is being done with support from the Collaborative Cultures First Funding Call and an ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) grant.
This initiative addresses the common challenges third sector practitioners face in accessing academic research and funding. By breaking down institutional barriers and demystifying the research process, the series helps voluntary sector managers and staff engage more confidently with universities, explore funding opportunities, and build meaningful academic partnerships.
The workshops covered key themes including:
- Collaborating with Universities (21 May 2025)
- Research Literacy & Peer Research Training (25 June 2025)
- Research needs in areas of Food Insecurity & Disability / Mental Health & Wellbeing (20 August 2025, AM & PM sessions)
- Developing Research Applications (24 September 2025)
Together, these sessions have supported the creation of new networks, built capacity within organisations to engage in and use research, and fostered inclusive knowledge exchange across sectors. This project exemplifies how collaborative, community-engaged research can generate real-world impact.
UAE alumni social
Our UAE centre held the UAE Alumni Social in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, August 28. There were around 30 alumni in attendance, from graduation years spanning 1999 to 2025.
MBA UAE Centre Manager Abigail Davenport said,
It was fantastic to see such a diverse group come together, with graduation years ranging from 1999 to the present – a true cross-section of Strathclyde talent! This was a memorable evening of stories, strong bonds, and shared Strathclyde spirit.
