Dr Steve Kennedy

Why did you choose to work at RSM?

“I had a strong wish to live and work in the Netherlands. When a position became available at RSM, I jumped at the chance to apply. I knew RSM was a top school and its department of Business-Society Management had an outstanding reputation, with only few contemporaries globally. Seven years later, I still know I made a great choice.”

What has been your highlight of working here so far?

“First, my role as academic director of our MSc Global Business & Sustainability. Our programme is a global leader and attracts smart and creative students with a passion to solve societal grand challenges. Second, working with many front-running companies in sustainability. We are very fortunate in the Netherlands to have many leading firms innovating new sustainable products, processes and business models. Working with such organisations and students gives me lots of energy and a belief that we can collectively build a better world.”

Where did you work before, and how does RSM compare to that?

“I was a researcher and PhD student at Sheffield University Management School in the UK. RSM is a much larger school, meaning that we have management specialists in every field. We also have a dedicated Business-Society Management department bringing together a strong dedicated core of faculty working on ethics, responsibility and sustainability management issues. Finally, RSM is a very well-resourced business school offering excellent support to its researchers.”

What are your interests outside of RSM?

“I’m a keen footballer and play for a local Rotterdam team. I enjoy walking and running in the woods near to where I live, and celebrating summer festivals with friends. I also volunteer my time helping social enterprises to maximize their potential for societal impact.”

What opportunities have you had at RSM that could have only happened here?

“At RSM, I can learn from top scholars in my field. I have been able to strengthen my research skills and sculpt manuscripts for leading academic journals. I also have the joy of teaching a very special course on climate change strategy that involves my students joining peers from eight business schools around Europe for an annual Model United Nations role play.”

In what ways are you a force for positive change?

“My work focuses on how organisations can systemically tackle societal grand challenges. I seek to help firms confront root causes and find leverage points for managing sustainability and resilience. In particular, I focus on teaching and researching how firms can address the urgent environmental problems of climate change and biodiversity loss.”