Meet Dr Divya Patel, Lecturer in Business Strategy at the University of Salford. Based in Salford Business School, Divya brings a strong focus on responsibility, sustainability and ethics into both her teaching and research.
How did you get into academia as a career path?
I studied business and organisations, but I didn’t always imagine myself becoming an academic. During my PhD, I realised how much I enjoyed teaching, having conversations with students and thinking deeply about questions of ethics, responsibility and inequality. After completing my PhD, choosing academia felt like a natural next step. It allows me to keep learning, teaching and engaging with topics that genuinely matter to me.
Why did you choose to work at the University of Salford?
I chose to work at the University of Salford because of its strong reputation and clear sense of purpose. It felt like a University that is confident in its impact and values, and a place where my teaching and research interests could make a meaningful contribution.
What’s the best thing about being an academic at Salford?
Without doubt, it’s the students. Salford students bring a wide range of experiences, perspectives and ambitions into the classroom, which makes teaching both incredibly rewarding and inspiring.
Can you tell us about any of your career highlights to-date?
Some of my career highlights include leading and teaching postgraduate modules focused on globally responsible leadership, developing and embedding Carbon Literacy education across academic programmes and presenting my work at international conferences such as Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and Gender, Work and Organisation.
I was also awarded the Environmental Improvement Special Award for my work in developing the University’s Carbon Literacy programme, which supports staff and students in understanding the climate crisis and taking practical action to reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact.
What’s your current research focused on?
My research focuses on gender, corporate social responsibility and small family and couple-run businesses, particularly in Global South contexts. I’m interested in how ideas of responsibility, care, and power are shaped by social and cultural contexts and how these play out in everyday business practices.
Do you have any published papers we can read?
I’ve contributed a book chapter titled Drawing Together, Thinking Apart, which explores these themes in more depth.
And finally, the all important question, where in Manchester or Salford is best to grab a coffee?
The Old Fire Station is a lovely space and has a relaxed atmosphere.