Global Scholars and African Researchers Unite to Advance Innovation Research at AOM TIM and NiBS University Workshop
In a significant move to bridge the gap between African scholarship and global academic networks, NiBS University, in collaboration with the Academy of Management (AOM) Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) Division, successfully hosted a high-level virtual developmental workshop on Friday, February 27, 2026.
The workshop brought together 32 early-career researchers and a distinguished panel of senior mentors from world-renowned institutions, including Warwick Business School, ESMT Berlin, Copenhagen Business School, ESADE, Boston University, Politecnico di Milano, CSU Monterey Bay, and Tulane University, to foster project-specific feedback and professional growth in the fields of strategy, innovation, and leadership.
Mentorship Without Borders
The event featured a unique “no-slide” format that prioritized deep intellectual dialogue over formal presentations. Participants were pre-matched with mentors in small breakout groups, enabling intimate 90-minute coaching sessions. These sessions focused on:
Direct Research Feedback: Mentors provided tailored critiques of research abstracts shared before the event.
The “Five-Minute Pitch”: Researchers practiced distilling complex ideas into concise, impactful verbal summaries.
Career Development: Discussions spanned the philosophy of science, the impact of AI on organizations, and navigating the global academic job market.
A Global Faculty of Mentors
- Susanne Beck (Warwick Business School) – AI and Organization ScienceHenry Sauermann (ESMT Berlin) – Human Capital and Citizen Science
- Henry Sauermann (ESMT Berlin) – Human Capital and Citizen Science
- Marianne Poetz (Copenhagen Business School) – Open Knowledge Production
- Giovanni Valentini (ESADE) – Strategy and Innovation
- Shirley Tang (Boston University) – Sustainability in Africa
- Stefano Baruffaldi (Politecnico di Milano) – Science-Innovation Linkages
- Jenny Kuan (CSU Monterey Bay) and Sandeep Pillai (Tulane University).
Local coordination was led by Joshua Amuzu of NiBS University, who emphasized the university’s commitment to positioning African scholars at the forefront of global management research.
A cornerstone of the event was a dedicated plenary session on the academic publishing process. Mentors pulled back the curtain on reviewer and editor expectations at high-impact journals, offering participants a roadmap for navigating the rigorous path from manuscript to publication.
“This collaboration reinforces NiBS University’s role in connecting African scholars to the global academic community,” noted the organizing team. “By facilitating meaningful engagement between emerging researchers and senior global faculty, we are strengthening the pipeline of innovative research coming out of the continent.”
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session on academic careers and the issuance of certificates of participation to all attendees.
About NiBS University
NiBS University is a premier graduate business school based in Ghana, focused on executive education and research that addresses the unique challenges of the African business landscape while maintaining global standards of excellence.
About AOM TIM
The Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) Division of the Academy of Management is a global network of scholars dedicated to the study of how technology and innovation shape organizations and society.
Media Contact:
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