Meet the 2024 PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization students!
The PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization program officially began in September 2024, marking a new chapter in the exploration of entrepreneurship research.
This groundbreaking program aims to push beyond traditional research boundaries, offering an in-depth examination of both the theoretical and practical dimensions of entrepreneurship. Distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach, it merges key areas such as business strategy, organizational behaviour, innovation management, and leadership theory.
Students in the program will engage in advanced coursework, including seminars on research methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and contemporary challenges in entrepreneurship. Designed to be both rigorous and transformative, the curriculum prepares students to generate original insights that will shape the future of the field.
In addition to academic excellence, the program emphasizes real-world application. Students will benefit from a range of resources, including specialized workshops, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and collaborative projects with entrepreneurial ventures. These experiences bridge the gap between academic research and practical entrepreneurship.
Guided by faculty members at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, PhD students will have the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research, explore emerging trends, and make meaningful contributions to the field. With a strong focus on research excellence and practical impact, the program is designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to succeed in academia, industry, and beyond.
We are pleased to introduce our first cohort of PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization students!
Reem Al Dabbagh
Supervisor(s): Nada Basir and Harvir Bansal
Research Interests: Entrepreneurship intersects with societal challenges and opportunities, innovation ecosystems and the ways entrepreneurial ventures adapt to technological and societal shifts.
Previous Degrees: Bachelor's in Information System Management, Master's in Information Technology
Why the PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization?
What excites me most about entrepreneurship is its transformative power—the ability to identify opportunities, solve pressing problems, and create value in innovative ways. Entrepreneurship encourages resilience, creativity, and continuous learning, qualities that I find inspiring both as a researcher and as a participant in this field.
Fayaz Noormohamed
Supervisor(s): Shavin Malhotra, Mark Weber
Research Interests: Leadership values in higher education change and transformation.
Previous Degrees: BASc, BEd, MA, MBA
Why the PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization?
I was immediately attracted to this PhD program for its emphasis on understanding and advancing both conceptual and real-world developments. Universities are fascinating organizations to study. Their leadership face deep and interconnected internal and external complexities that can lead to institutional change and transformation - positioning them as intrepreneurs. With the mentorship and expertise of the School’s exceptional faculty, I am excited to grow in my capacity to make novel contributions to scholarship and the professional field of higher education leadership.
Virangi Shah
Supervisor(s): Shavin Malhotra
Research Interests: Corporate Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, and Corporate Sustainability
Previous Degrees: Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration
Why the PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization?
The opportunity to conduct actionable research, spanning both the startup ecosystem and established corporations is compelling. With its interdisciplinary approach, this PhD program will not only allow me to dig into the nuances of strategic complexities that shape business outcomes, but also enable me to make contributions around issues that matter in today’s fast-changing corporate world. Moreover, the chance to work with accomplished faculty members whose impactful research offers an exceptional platform to refine my critical thinking, challenge conventional perspectives, and push intellectual boundaries.