A sense of belonging through the PhD cohort system

Why did you choose UiA?

Prior to being accepted for the PhD program in 2018, I completed a MSc in Business Administration at the School of Business and Law. The great experience of close cooperation together with the master thesis supervisor and colleagues fostered the motivation to try out the PhD program. I had also great expectations about the international acclaimed level of the program.

What did you conduct research on, and why?

I began my research journey on the continued interest at university of Agder in culture through the concept of cultural intelligence (CQ). I explored and investigated how CQ can work across the field of business and management, but also a deep dive at its role with occurrences where there is less of a formal leadership structures such as emergent leadership.

Understanding cultural differences at the social, professional and personal settings are still one of the most common considered challenge to manage – so I was passionate about bringing this kind of research to find more evidence and implications for theory and practice.

How was it to be a PhD candidate at UiA?

I strongly believed that being part of the cohort of PhD candidates, while simultaneously access a great working space with faculty colleagues and other PhD candidates across cohorts, created a motivating atmosphere to share, discuss and improve our research and well-being. The PhD director, supervisors, advisors and faculty colleagues ensured that we would follow the highest form of training, supervision and support for facilitating our progresses, while at the same time enforce strictness and rigidness in the expectations for each candidate; despite how each of the PhD candidates would have varied topics and research questions, I had the sense of belonging to just one ‘PhD cohort’.

Enforcing socializing and networking among the cohort are somewhat challenging with the demand and pressure to complete the PhD in a timely manner – but most of us in the cohort would still try to take well deserved breaks with socializing in-between during lunch hours, seminars, workshops and so forth. Unfortunately, my cohort also experienced the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, which had huge impact to everyone (colleagues included), but the business school still did a great job to ensure support towards each candidate.

I strongly believed that being part of the cohort of PhD candidates, while simultaneously access a great working space with faculty colleagues and other PhD candidates across cohorts, created a motivating atmosphere to share, discuss and improve our research and well-being

What do you think of the PhD program at the School of Business and Law?

The PhD program is top-notch and fairly competitive and cooperative; you are expected to conduct responsible, relevant and topical research within the agreed contractual time (3-year vs 4-year included teaching), attend the mandatory courses to elevate and ensure the phd candidates are skilled and motivated to continue, report their status frequently either directly or indirectly to phd director, supervisor, colleagues and cohort. I also enjoyed the support and encouragement of attending relevant conferences, workshops and seminars that benefits the phd-work.

What is the most important experience you have made throughout the period?

The PhD program is just the start of the academic journey – but the start is such an important determinant for the rest of the journey. The support of the Business school to say ‘yes’ to your ideas and efforts really makes a difference. It is thanks to the program that I met great number of esteemed colleagues from my research field like Hofstede, Trompenaars, the GLOBE group, Gelfand and many many more.

What career opportunities have you gotten after finishing the PhD? 

Currently I am now an associate professor at University of South-Eastern Norway Business School, department of Business, Strategy and Political Sciences in campus Kongsberg. Right after I finished the PhD, I was fortunate to begin as an assistant professor to teach and assist research initiatives at the same current department. As my goal was to try to stay in academia, this opportunity served as a great fit.

PhD programme at the School of Business and Law