Research grant boosts student business skills at York St John University

A collaborative project between York St John University Business School and Queen Mary University Business School, London, is set to challenge students’ culturally aware business skills. 

Dr Christine O’Dea, senior lecturer and course leader at York St John University, and Dr Xue Zhou, Associate Professor from Queen Mary University, have won a competitive research grant for their collaborative project titled ‘Student led online symposium on culture driven business responses to Covid-19 in Global North and South’. 

Awarded by the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE), the £1,000 funding will contribute towards a student led symposium in April 2022.  

Business school students from both institutions will lead and manage the symposium, challenging their organisation skills as they interview and select panels and presentations. 

As the business leaders of tomorrow, students will be guided to think about the interconnectedness and differences between world-wide businesses, and their response to shifting global circumstances.  

Dr Christine O’Dea said: “The symposium brings students together to explore a wide range of global competences such as critical thinking, project management and digital literacy. 

“The intention of the project is to increase student involvement in designing a more culturally responsive curriculum, to strengthen their cultural awareness, as well as to encourage cross institutional collaboration between business school students. The symposium is an opportunity for students to take the lead, which we really encourage here at York St John.” 

Dr Xue Zhou, co-investigator for the project, said: “I am really pleased that we are awarded research funding by ALDinHE. We hope that our students in York Business School and Queen Mary University Business School can really benefit from the project!” 

York Business School offers business consultancy opportunities and student placements, alongside a range of courses to prepare students for the world of work. The School supports York St John University's contribution to business in the city and beyond.