New Researcher Joins RUSI/ University of Roehampton Business School PhD Programme

Gabriela’s PhD will examine the managerial approach to defence in the United Kingdom and its impact on UK defence identity today and on future generations.

Within the PhD programme Gabriela – like her fellow candidates Joanne Mackowski and Lauren Twort who started the programme in 2012 – will conduct her research in a double function as full member of the RUSI staff and Roehampton's learning community, thereby benefiting from both the network of one of the world's leading think tanks and a high-quality academic environment tailored to enhance the employability and career prospects of students. Gabriela’s research will enrich the research portfolio of RUSI's Defence, Industries and Society Programme (DISP), which functions as the RUSI host for the PhD programme.

The research will be supervised by Professor Rebecca Boden (Director Centre for Organizational Research, University of Roehampton) and Dr John Louth (Director Defence, Industries and Society Programme, RUSI).

The Defence, Industries and Society Programme (DISP) aims to facilitate an evidence-based understanding of the place of industry has in Western defence and wider society. It is intended to inform mainstream academic, industrial and political debates relating to future military capabilities, foreign policy ambitions, investment choices, and policies impacting on businesses supporting defence. The programme systematically, independently and rigorously accesses the 'defence industrial ecosystem' and analyses the forces in operation, to glean a deep understanding that frames and informs the national, regional and international policy debates. It aims to build up a 'defence, industries and society narrative' that will help policy-makers, industrialists and other stakeholders within wider society to make sense of their professional world.

The University of Roehampton Business School offers high quality undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes tailored to enhance the employability and career prospects of all students. Its programmes are recognised and accredited by UK Chartered Professional Bodies, including the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Study is guided by a committed team of academics who have both practical experience and expert insight. Its programmes reflect the ethos and distinctiveness of the school by examining business in its social context, underpinned by notions of cultural awareness and social justice. The school aims to inspire students to achieve their potential as individuals as well as support them in their chosen careers.