Dr Ifeanyi Onyemere, PhD, MBA, FHEA

I am a Lecturer in Business and Management in the Strategy and Operations team of the Faculty of Business, Law, and Tourism. I bring over 23 years of combined industry and academic experience to the classroom. With a PhD from Regent University, Virginia Beach, USA, and a master’s degree in banking and finance, I specialise in business and management education. My expertise spans curriculum development, research and scholarship, dissertation supervision, and research-informed pedagogy, ensuring a holistic approach to education.

Currently serving as a module lead in the BA (Hons) Business and the MSc Management Sunderland Online courses, I am deeply involved in redesigning and developing modules to meet programme objectives and academic standards. This role entails rigorous research, collaborative mentoring, and incorporating industry best practices into the modules.

My industry background, including 12 years in banking and a subsequent transition to management consulting, enriches my teaching with practical insights. This first-hand experience informs my approach to guiding students through diverse research interests, from digital business to leadership and strategy. For example, I have successfully mentored students in developing innovative solutions for real-world business challenges, resulting in award-winning dissertations and industry collaborations.

My doctoral research focused on minimising organisational failure in a VUCA world, culminating in curating a comprehensive curriculum on foresight and leadership development for an executive education programme. This initiative has successfully enrolled and impacted over 540 senior executives, empowering them to navigate complex business environments with strategic foresight.

Recognised as a thought leader, I have written books and articles and presented at international conferences. I am also an active member of professional organisations such as the British Academy of Management, the Society of Authors, the Business Continuity Institute, and the Association of Professional Futurists, contributing to advancing business and management education.

With a student-centred teaching philosophy, I am committed to creating an engaging and interactive learning environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and practical application of knowledge. My dedication to student success has earned me awards for teaching excellence.

My enthusiasm for collaboration extends to researchers exploring a diverse range of topics such as digital business, artificial intelligence, family business, strategic foresight, digital leadership, technological change, critical approaches to international business, and sustainable development. I believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to generate innovative insights and solutions to complex challenges in these areas. By fostering partnerships with like-minded researchers, I aim to contribute to advancing knowledge and driving positive change in academia and the industry.