Dr Olivia Tomlinson PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)

I am lecturer in Strategy and Sustainability at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Prior to this, I held the post of Research Fellow in Responsible Business at the University of Birmingham, which I now maintain as an associate. I completed my doctoral studies (PhD Business Management- International Business) at the Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. My research interests lie in exploring the utility of critical systems thinking and complexity management to counter social, environmental and economic challenges. I am particularly interested in processual manifestations of these challenges and the role that firms, as actors in the socio-ecological and economic system can play in countering crises and uncertainty.

My research is focused on how business can generate social, environmental and economic value across time and scale. My current research focuses on the following themes: 

1.  Interlinkages and relationships between the different capabilities, competencies and strategies of SMEs and subsequent impacts on the socio-ecological environment. 

2.  Sustainable leadership, management and entrepreneurship in uncertain and complex conditions.

3.  Diversity and inclusion in the workplace, with a focus on the identification of intervention points and better practice.

4. Systems thinking as a framework for research and practice in the pursuit of the sustainable development goals.