Adaeze Nwaka - PhD researcher - Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation
Drawing on her professional background in corporate social responsibility (CSR), Adaeze Nwaka is undertaking a PhD in Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation, exploring how businesses can support entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development within local communities.
After several years working in CSR, Adaeze began asking why communities that host major corporations often continue to face poverty and limited economic opportunities despite significant corporate investment.
Wanting to explore this issue in greater depth, she decided to pursue a PhD at Nottingham University Business School, where she is examining how relationships between businesses and local communities can better support entrepreneurship and long-term development.
Why Nottingham?
When searching for a university, Adaeze was looking for more than a strong academic reputation. She wanted a research environment that aligned with her interests and ambitions.
Adaeze said:
"When I set out to look for a university, I didn't just want any university. I wanted an ecosystem that would match the ambitions of my research. The 糖心原创 stood out among others."
Nottingham stood out because of its reputation as a leading Russell Group institution and its recognised expertise in corporate social responsibility through the International Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR), now known as the Centre for Society, Nature and Organisations. Being awarded a Nottingham University Business School PhD Scholarship further confirmed that Nottingham was the right place to pursue her research goals.
Reflecting on her experience, she believes that the strength of Nottingham's research community is one of its greatest assets. She summarised:
"For me, it has felt less like simply being enrolled in a programme and more like being part of a community that understands the journey and is committed to helping you thrive through it."
Researching entrepreneurship and community development
Adaeze's research, Rethinking Corporate Community Involvement in Emerging Economies: Implications for Community Entrepreneurship Development, explores how corporate engagement with local communities is perceived and whether it can contribute to meaningful entrepreneurial outcomes.
Her interest in the topic stems from several years working in CSR, where she observed a recurring gap between corporate investment and the day-to-day realities experienced by local communities. She explained:
"Resource-rich communities, often surrounded by major companies with strong commitments to social responsibility, still experience persistent poverty and limited tangible improvement in their socio-economic conditions."
These experiences inspired Adaeze to pursue doctoral study and explore how corporate-community relationships could be reimagined to support more inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Growing as a researcher
For Adaeze, one of the most rewarding aspects of her doctoral study has been developing confidence in her ability to critically engage with complex ideas and large bodies of research.
She explained:
"Initially, the volume of literature and complexity of concepts felt overwhelming, but over time I have become more comfortable critically engaging with ideas and synthesising them effectively."
Adaeze has also enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of research, finding satisfaction in working through challenges and gradually bringing clarity to difficult questions. Alongside this, the independence that comes with managing her own research project has strengthened her confidence, critical thinking and decision-making skills. Regular discussions with supervisors and fellow researchers have also played an important role in helping her refine her ideas and develop new perspectives.
Overcoming challenges
Like many doctoral researchers, Adaeze has experienced periods of uncertainty throughout her PhD.
She found it challenging when progress was slower than expected or results did not immediately align with her assumptions. By working closely with her supervisors, she developed a structured approach to managing her research, breaking larger tasks into smaller, achievable goals.
Learning beyond the university
Adaeze's research has benefitted from engagement with external organisations, including Nigerian companies that feature as case studies within her work. These partnerships have provided valuable insights and access to data that would otherwise have been difficult to obtain.
She has also presented and engaged at national and international academic conferences, giving her the opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers from different disciplines and countries. Summarising the benefit of these experiences, she said:
"These engagements have kept my research grounded, while allowing me to continuously refine my approach based on external perspectives, making it more relevant and impactful."
Support from the business school community
Adaeze credits Nottingham University Business School with providing a supportive and inclusive environment throughout her PhD journey.
Through seminars, workshops, conferences and training opportunities, she has been able to develop her research skills, connect with academics across disciplines and gain valuable feedback on her work.
The support system here, from access to resources and academic experts to the consistent guidance of the PGR Team, makes a real difference in navigating the demands of doctoral study.
Making the most of student life
Alongside her research, Adaeze has played an active role in the university's doctoral community. As Immediate Past President of the PhD Doctoral Society Committee, she helped organise events, encourage collaboration among doctoral researchers and create opportunities for students to build valuable academic and professional networks.
Outside of her studies, she has enjoyed Nottingham's welcoming and diverse atmosphere, describing the city as a place that offers an excellent study-life balance and a strong sense of community.
Looking ahead
After completing her PhD, Adaeze hopes to remain in academia, where she can continue conducting impactful research while contributing to teaching and mentoring future generations of students.
Further information
Find out more about studying for an Phd at Nottingham University Business School by visiting our PhD webpage.