Research

Through our impactful research and evidence-based education, we substantially advance the aspiration of Henley Business School and align with the Prosperity and Resilience theme of the University of Reading. Our diverse and inclusive research community consists of faculty at all career stages, doctoral researchers, post-doctoral researchers and local and global collaborators.

We work together to strengthen and sustain a research culture based on capacity building, human-centricity and ambitious outputs. Our work is interdisciplinary, with strong specific expertise, and collaborative, with a focus on individual ownership to address the issues and opportunities that matter to our constituents. The LOBR research culture ethos is embedded in all our activities - internal and external - including mentoring, community work, practical support, research seminars, informal advice for colleagues, continuous professional development and more.

We engage in industry and organisational partnerships, grants and commercial funding. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds in sociology, psychology, philosophy, organisational behaviour, management and economics, with our faculty regularly featured as expert voices in the media and consulting for international bodies, governments and firms of all sizes.

The LOBR department is committed to interdisciplinary research which is driven and delivered by our outstanding faculty and through the following research centres and communities:

Centre for Euro-Asian Studies: Established in 1996, the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies (CEAS) is Henley Business School's longstanding hub for rigorous, policy-relevant research and engagement focused on the Commonwealth of Independent States and the wider Euro-Asian region, including Central and Eastern Europe. The CEAS develops authoritative evidence on the political economy, institutional change and development pathways shaping economies in transition. It converts this research into impact through high-level convening, applied consultancy and sustained partnerships with governments, international organisations, academic institutions and businesses.

Henley Centre for Leadership: Founded in 2013, Henley Centre for Leadership (HCL) is a globally recognised scientific and practical voice, as well as a catalyst of leadership and leadership development. HCL's work fosters inclusive, ethical, sustainable and impactful leadership repertoires, empowering people and both supporting and sustaining leadership capabilities at every level, enabling meaningful and lasting change towards a sustainable future for all.

John Madejski Centre for Reputation: Founded in 2000, the John Madejski Centre for Reputation (JMCR) works with businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations to build supportive relationships and communications with multiple stakeholders. The JMCR deeply explores the value of reputation and driving sustainable behaviours and business models to act at board level as a catalyst for positive change.

Centre for Business Ethics and Sustainability: Since its formation in 2010, the Centre for Business Ethics and Sustainability (CBES) has focused on promoting research and ideas which support a respect of human beings involved with business practice(s), care for the impact of management in their lives and an active investment in the mutual growth within human relations by exploring the link between professional values and practices.

The Coaching Subject Group focuses on the development of coaching as an evidence-informed professional field within organisations and leadership development. The group's work explores coaching practice, coach development, reflective practice, identity, transitions and learning across individual, team and organisational contexts. Through research, teaching, doctoral supervision and engagement with practitioners and organisations, the group contributes to the ongoing development of coaching knowledge and practice.

The Governance Group brings together scholars and practitioners working on corporate governance, board effectiveness, leadership, ethics, accountability and responsible business. The group's research explores how governance structures, board dynamics and institutional environments influence organisational decision-making, strategic outcomes and long-term sustainability. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, it contributes to academic debate, policy discussions and executive education, while also engaging with industry leaders and regulators on contemporary governance challenges, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, digital transformation, cybersecurity and responsible leadership.

Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation Research Seminars

In addition to our research centres, we also host a research seminar series throughout the year, with presentations by both internal and external faculty, leading and emerging experts in their field and within the infrastructure and processes of academia. These seminars cover a range of different research areas aligned with key expertise of LOBR and beyond.

Seminars take place on Thursdays, either at Henley Business School (Whiteknights campus) or online, between 1:00pm and 2:00pm. They are open to all members of faculty, PhD and DBA students and other students on postgraduate research degree programmes.

Seminars are coordinated by Dr Anastasiya Saraeva, Postgraduate Research Director for Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation, and Professor Bernd Vogel, Research Division Lead in Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation.