Aziza Al Ghafri

Research Projects

Postdoctoral Researcher, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden (Jul 2024 – Jul 2026)

SCOSSA – Sector Coupling for Sustainable Energy Innovation
Examining how integrating electricity, heating, transport, and industry can drive entrepreneurial opportunities, systemic innovation, and market creation in the energy transition. Focus on the sociotechnical, governance, and business model shifts required for successful sector coupling, with implications for cross-sector collaboration.

Samhällskontraktet – Organizational Innovation in Elder Care
Exploring how the introduction of the team ombud role fosters innovation, improves decision-making, and enhances organizational processes within elder care settings. Focus on how new roles can act as catalysts for intra-organizational entrepreneurship, improving communication, coordination, and service delivery. Insights inform how leadership, role design, and collaborative structures can be leveraged for systemic improvement in public sector organizations.

ART – Policy Labs for Climate Adaptation
Using a policy lab approach to co-create innovative solutions for climate change adaptation, focusing on flooding and water-related challenges. The project develops and tests governance strategies to mitigate extreme weather impacts, engaging stakeholders in collaborative policy design. Outcomes bridge research and practice, ensuring solutions are evidence-based, adaptable, and capable of driving systemic change.

Teaching

University of Gävle (August 2026–present)
Teaching: Course: Leadership and Organization A (FEG110, Fall 2026)

Mälardalen University, Västerås (July 2024–June 2026)
Advisor and Instructor

• Bachelor’s Thesis in Business Administration (FOA260) (in Swedish) – Supervised undergraduate students in research design, methodology, and academic writing, and provided feedback throughout the research process.
• Introduction to Industrial Economics and Organization (IEO115) (in Swedish) – Taught Module 1 using a variety of pedagogical methods, including group work, case studies, video material, and written assignments. Designed and graded the final written exam.
• Organization: Form and Function (IEO116) (in Swedish) – Taught about systems perspectives on organizations, organizational culture, and the interplay between structure and symbolic aspects. Graded written assignments and provided feedback.
• Project Management and Change Management in a Digital World (FOA257) (in Swedish, Fall 2024) – Lectured and assessed assignments with a focus on strengthening students’ understanding of project and change management in the digital age.
• Contemporary Perspectives on Management Studies (FOA315) (in English) – Designed and led seminars on women’s entrepreneurship, empowerment, liberation, intersectionality, diversity, and inclusion. Led discussions on critical reading and group discussions.

NEOMA Business School, France (March 2021–April 2021)
Instructor – Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Innovation (online, in English)

• Developed course materials including case studies, group work, video content, and written assignments.
• Invited Swedish entrepreneurs as guest lecturers to share their practical experiences with the students.

KTH, Stockholm
Teaching Assistant and Advisor – Department of Industrial Economics and Organization (March 2015–June 2017)

• Supervised 14 master’s theses in the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management master’s program (2017).
• Supervised 34 minor theses in the course “Minor Thesis Project in Entrepreneurship” (2016).

University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Rustaq, Oman (September 2011–December 2012)
Instructor – Entrepreneurship (taught in English, undergraduate level, 45 hours)

Designed course content and assessments and taught using video materials, workshops, group projects, and written assignments. Students were assessed through written assignments, group project presentations, a final exam, and active participation. Supervised 100 bachelor’s theses on entrepreneurship-related topics.

Instructor – Entrepreneurship and Business Plans (in English, diploma level, 45 hours)

• Developed course content and taught using interactive and varied pedagogical methods, including workshops, video materials, group projects, and written assignments.

Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman (February 2006–July 2006)

• Research Assistant (February 2006–July 2006) – Project: “Differences in Ethical Perceptions of Male and Female Business Students in Oman and India.” Conducted a literature review, coded surveys, indexed and summarized articles, and participated in data analysis.
• IT Technician Assistant (2005–2006) – Managed computer labs, troubleshot hardware and software issues, and oversaw installations.
• Teaching Assistant – College of Commerce & Economics (February 2005–May 2005) – Assisted with teaching and supervised students during lectures and exams.

Peer Review

• Reviewer for the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, the Academy of Management Annual Conference, book chapters, and the journals *International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship* and *Creativity and Innovation Management Journal*.