Our Team
Dr. Tulin Dzhengiz
Principal Investigator (PI)
Dr. Tulin Dzhengiz
I am a Senior Lecturer in Sustainability at the Department of Strategy, Enterprise, and Sustainability at Manchester Metropolitan University. My research focuses on corporate sustainability, inter-organizational relationships, and circular economy transitions.
I actively develop new research-led teaching approaches for sustainability challenges. I recently designed and currently lead the Developing and Managing Partnerships for Sustainable Development module, collaborating with eight academics and practitioners outside MMU through guest lectures, interviews, and pre-recorded podcasts. My research and teaching aligns with SDGs 8, 9, 12, 13, and 17, supporting sustainable industries, responsible production, and partnerships for the goals.
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Currently, I am the Principal Investigator of the Orchestrate Project (BAM/SAMS-funded), which examines circular textile and fashion ecosystems in the UK, exploring stakeholder roles, ecosystem dynamics, and collaboration patterns. I am the academic supervisor of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Flair Rugs, developing circular business models for the rug industry.
I am also passionate about the social and relational dimensions of circular economy and serve as a Co-Investigator on the ESRC-funded Place-Based Circular Society project.
Recently, I completed an MMU-funded Research Accelerator Grant, studying informal circular activities in Istanbul, highlighting challenges faced by waste pickers and advocating for just circular transitions in emerging economies.
I also explored the Turkish textile recycling and waste collection ecosystem in the past 4 years, conducting over 65 interviews with various stakeholders to explore the emerging country context in circular transitions.
Recent Publication:
- Dzhengiz, T., Haukkala, T. and Sahimaa, O. (2023). (Un)Sustainable transitions towards fast and ultra-fast fashion. Fashion and Textiles, 10, 19. https://fashionandtextiles.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40691-023-00337-9
- Dzhengiz, T., & Patala, S. (2023). The role of cross-sector partnerships in the dynamics between places and innovation ecosystems. R&D Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12589
- Dzhengiz, T., Riandita, A., & Broström, A. (2023). Configurations of sustainability-oriented textile partnerships. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1– 21. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3372
- Dzhengiz, T., Miller, E., Ovaska, J.-P., & Patala, S. (2023) Unpacking the circular economy: A problematizing review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 00, 1– 27. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12329
Dr. Alaa Abed
Co-Investigator (Co-I)
Dr. Alaa Abed
Alaa is a Lecturer in innovation & Sustainability in Strategy, Enterprise and Sustainability department. Alaa joined Manchester Metropolitan University in October 2022 and before that she was a teaching assistant at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), the University of Manchester, where she finished her PhD studies in the area of Innovation Management and Policy.
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Alaa research interests are within the areas of sustainability and innovation (specialised in Research and Development - R&D). In addition to her work on R&D
investment, she is also involved in research within the fields of sustainability, circular
economy, and strategic business.
She applies an advanced quantitative method in management in her research.
Alaa, in collaboration with her colleague Tulin Dzhengiz, is currently working on
Orchestrating Sustainability: Examining the Emergence of the Circular Fashion Ecosystem in the UK project, Funded by the British Academy of Management. This project focuses on the UK's fashion industry and aims to shed light on the evolving circular fashion landscape, emphasizing ecosystem orchestration and the development of circular ecosystems.
Recent Publication:
- Abed, A. (2024) ‘The Paradox of R&D Productivity and Firm Growth: Empirical Evidence from publicly listed firms in the United Kingdom.’ European Management Review.
- Abed, A., Al-Najjar, B., Salama, A. ‘Breaking Down Barriers: How Board Composition Drives Sustainability in GCC Countries.‘ International Journal of Human Resource Management.
(Patrick) Oluwadamilare Olaniyi
Research Assistant (RA)
(Patrick) Oluwadamilare Olaniyi
Oluwadamilare (Patrick) Olaniyi is a PhD scholar and researcher in sustainability and strategic innovations within global supply chain networks. Patrick is currently pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Manchester Metropolitan University, where his research focuses on UK Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Sustainability Practices and their implications for organizational performance. Before joining Manchester Metropolitan University, Patrick gained over a decade of professional experience in global supply chain management, bridging academic research with industry practice.
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Patrick’s research interests lie in sustainable supply chain design, green logistics, and the circular economy. His work critically examines regulatory and compliance challenges in pharmaceutical supply chains, particularly under frameworks such as cGDP, cGMP, and ICH guidelines. In addition to his doctoral research, he explores the role of digital innovation such as blockchain and IoT in enhancing transparency and efficiency in global supply chains.
He applies both qualitative and advanced quantitative methodologies in his research. Patrick, in collaboration with his colleague, is currently working on Orchestrating Sustainability: Examining the Emergence of the Circular Fashion Ecosystem in the UK, a project funded by the British Academy of Management. This research investigates the UK's fashion industry, shedding light on the evolving circular fashion landscape, ecosystem orchestration, and the development of sustainable innovation ecosystems.
Patrick is an active member of professional networks, including the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), and frequently contributes to academic discussions, conferences, and publications on sustainability transitions and supply chain innovation.
Professor of Sustainability and Innovation
Professor of Sustainability and Innovation
Professor Sally Randles
Professor Sally Randles is currently co-leading an ESRC-funded project that explores how places can become more equitable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable through circular society innovation (CSI).
The project focuses on Greater Manchester as a test-bed for learning and scaling CSI, collaborating with key stakeholders to co-create knowledge, evaluate 100 CSI projects (50 in-depth), and deliver evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. Professor Sally Randles is the mentor of the Orchestrate project and will be supporting the team throughout.
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Her past research focused on ...
- Warnke, P., Röß, A., Spitzley, A., Friedrich, M., Klages, T., Wuchner, A., Randles, S., Vargas, V. (2019) D10.4: User Briefs, WP 10 Multi-level learning and communication, Joining Efforts for Responsible Research and Innovation (JERRI), European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 709747.
- Randles, S., Hajhashem, M., Gonzales, M., Demeny, E., Kakuk, P. (2019) Deliverable Report of the H2020 Project ‘SMART-Map’: Roadmaps to the Societal Mobilisation for the Advancement of Responsible Development of Industrial Technologies D7.2 Formative and Summative Evaluation of the SMART-Map Project: Final Report.
Recent Publication:
- Matoh, S., Russell, S. V., Roelich, K., & Randles, S. (2024). Circular business model innovation and cognitive framing: Addressing the “missing micro”. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3938
External Collaborators
Samuli Patala
Assistant Professor
Samuli Patala
Samuli Patala is an Assistant Professor at the Aalto University, School of Business. His research focuses broadly on how systemic sustainability transitions develop through collaboration between difference sectors and industries.
His specific areas of interest include circular economy management, ecosystems, and partnerships for sustainability, as well as institutional change in sustainability transitions. He has worked in numerous research projects in collaboration with business and other organizations and is currently a work package leader in a multidisciplinary research project focused on circularity in textiles.
He has published broadly around the topics of sustainability and circularity in the top journals in the management field, including Organization Studies, Journals of Management Studies and Journal of International Business Studies.
Andra Riandita
Postdoctoral
Andra Riandita
Dr. Andra Riandita is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Stavanger’s School of Business and Law in Norway, specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainability. Her research, published in leading academic journals, explores how start-ups and corporations integrate sustainable practices across the food, fashion, energy, and service industries.
Her research topic includes green start-ups, eco-innovation, and sustainability-driven partnerships. As an educator, Andra teaches Entrepreneurship and Sustainability courses. Beyond academia, she is a dedicated public speaker, actively sharing evidence-based insights to help businesses adopt more sustainable strategies.
Andra collaborates with the Orchestrate project through co-authored publications, providing perspectives on eco-innovation and the role of partnerships in sustainable circular ecosystems.of Manchester, where she finished her PhD studies in the area of Innovation Management and Policy.
Asha Nair
Assistant Professor
Asha Nair
Dr. Asha K. S. Nair is an Assistant Professor at Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore, India in the areas of Strategic Management and Sustainability. She holds a PhD from IIM Mumbai and has several years of industry experience in the IT and education sectors.
Her research work focuses on corporate sustainability, integrating sustainability into business strategy, and driving sustainability and circular economy transformation through mindsets and capabilities. She explores these topics through the lenses of institutional theory, resource-based perspectives, and emerging business models, with publications in leading international journals.
Beyond academia, Asha has been actively involved in voluntary work, contributing as a sales support member for the British Heart Foundation in London and as a child educator for the AXF Foundation in Mumbai. She is also passionate about organic farming and animal welfare. Asha collaborates with the Orchestrate project through co-authored publications, providing perspectives on the role of partnerships in sustainable circular ecosystems.
Dr. Alaa Abed
Lecturer
Alaa is a Lecturer in innovation & Sustainability in Strategy, Enterprise and Sustainability
department. Alaa joined Manchester Metropolitan University in October 2022 and before that
she was a teaching assistant at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), the University
of Manchester, where she finished her PhD studies in the area of Innovation Management and
Policy. Alaa research interests are within the areas of sustainability and innovation
(specialised in Research and Development - R&D). In addition to her work on R&D
investment, she is also involved in research within the fields of sustainability, circular
economy, and strategic business. She applies an advanced quantitative method in
management in her research.
Alaa, in collaboration with her colleague Tulin Dzhengiz, is currently working on
Orchestrating Sustainability: Examining the Emergence of the Circular Fashion Ecosystem in
the UK project, Funded by the British Academy of Management. This project focuses on the
UK's fashion industry and aims to shed light on the evolving circular fashion landscape,
emphasizing ecosystem orchestration and the development of circular ecosystems.
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