
Research Initiatives
In addition to our collection of Research Centres focusing on central themes, there are several research initiatives within the School that are delivering vital research impact to contribute to our overall research priorities.
Current Initiatives
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Academy for Gender, Work and Leadership
Exploring relationships between gender, work and leadership and their impact on individuals, organisations and society.
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The Marketplace and I
Commercial experiences of disability explored through art
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PPiPL: Plastic Packaging in People's lives
Focusing on how plastic food packaging is embedded in consumers’ day-to-day lives.
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National Centre for Project Management
Fostering transdisciplinary thinking in the field of project management since 2003.
Lancaster China Management
This initiative aims to develop new programmes of research and teaching at postgraduate and post-experience level relevant to the needs of Chinese managers. It was launched in March 2001 with a Steering Committee chaired by Emeritus Professor Alasdair MacBean, and since then it has focused on the development of research and training programmes, both collaboratively with organisations in China and independently at Lancaster. It has also explored increasing opportunities to create partnerships, particularly in the area of management training, including by the development of in-country programmes.
LUMS has long-standing relationships with Chinese institutions and remains committed to research, projects and teaching in the People's Republic of China. Lancaster's standing (both the School and the University) is high with several leading Chinese universities such as The People's University, Beijing, Peking University and many others. In addition LUMS has good links with the British Council, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and other agencies, such as CAIEP, the China Youth Council for International Exchange and the China Management Science Society.
For more information, please contact Dr Qihai Huang or email chinacentre@lancaster.ac.uk.

Connected Communities Research Lab
The newly established Connected Communities Research Lab will extend the current programme of interdisciplinary research into the mechanisms underlying the functioning of communities of people and things. Our Smart Parks research programme is exploring the application of IOT in natural environments such as national parks and urban green spaces. The broad range of activities includes conceptual development of theoretical models, their operationalisation in multiple contexts, action research, and organisation of innovation events with developer and end-user challenges such as our recent Smart Parks hackathon.

Gulf One Lab for Computational and Economic Research (GOLCER)
The Gulf One Lab for Computational and Economic Research (GOLCER) is a hub for interdisciplinary research in quantitative aspects of economics and finance at Lancaster University Management School. Established in May 2008, it has built upon an initial philanthropic donation from the Gulf One Investment Bank.
With researchers from the Economics Department and visitors from both national and international academic institutions, the expertise of GOLCER extends across applied econometric modelling, Bayesian analysis, high-frequency data econometrics and Banking. Our work applies cutting edge computational techniques to provide better understanding of the dynamics governing financial markets and institutions.
GOLCER has organised a number of international workshops, software training and conferences including the 4th Islamic Banking and Finance Conference (IBF) and the Ninth Foundation of Islamic Finance Conference (FIFC).

Accordion
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Research
We produce a broad range of economic reports such as those below, as well as a number of research publications.
- Islamic Finance UK Report (Martin Harrison)
- Taxation and the GCC (Martin Harrison)
- The outlook for Islamic REITs as an Investment Vehicle (Monma Saeed)
- (Vasileios Pappas)
- Impacts of oil shocks - Implications for GCC economies (Erdenebat Bataa)
- The Gulf Currency - Lessons from the Euro (John Whittaker)
- Economic Review of the GCC countries 2008-2009 (GOLCER)
Visit our publications to view our latest research.
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Academic and Executive Training
Academic Training
- High frequency data analysis and modelling
- Statistics for Psychology/Linguistics/Educational Studies
- Typing in LaTeX software (SWP, Lyx)
Executive Training
GOLCER provides consultancy services which facilitate collaboration with public and private organisations in the business and academic sectors. Our services include executive and software skills training, consulting services in sampling, performance improvement and risk management. The training courses are designed to equip professionals and academics with cutting-edge theoretical and practical developments in the industry and are delivered by the industry’s best minds.
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Postdoctoral Research Visitor Scheme
The Scheme
This scheme is designed to host individuals with research interests aligned with those of GOLCER, offering early carrier researchers and academics the chance to spend 3 to 6 months to enhance their research capacity skills. The Scheme encompasses the fundamentals of a sound empirical approach to business, management and social science. Candidates are encouraged to develop a wide range of skills that enable them to develop an individual approach to research in their chosen subject area. Candidates will also benefit from participation in a wide range of seminars and from interaction with fellow visitors at GOLCER and other partner centres / institutions.
Who may apply?
- You must have completed your PhD.
- have a clearly defined research proposal, aligned with Golcer’s research interests.
- be competent in oral and written English.
Cost
If you are being funded by a university, government or other funding body, a ‘bench fee’ of £650/pcm will be charged to cover appropriate provisions. Living expenses will need to be met from other sources.
Apply
Please send your current CV and a research proposal to Dr Marwan Izzeldin (m.izzeldin@lancaster.ac.uk) or Dr Vasileios Pappas (v.pappas@lancaster.ac.uk).
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People
Associates
- Professor Mike Tsionas
- Professor Datuk Rifaat Abdel Karim
- Professor Steven Ongena
- Professor Iftekahr Hassan
- Professor Kabir Hassan
- Professor Ana-Maria Fuertes
- Dr Anthony Murphy
- Mr Gerlad Steele
Research Team
- Dr Marwan Izzeldin (Director)
- Dr Vasilis Pappas (Deputy Director)
- Dr Alina Spiru
- Dr Peiran Shi
- Dr Marwa Elnahas
- Dr Momna Saeed
- Dr Caroline Khan
- Dr Zeeshan Akmal
- Dr Yao Xingzhi
- Ms Rhea Elizabeth George
- Mr Rodrigo Hizmeri
- Dr Paul Dawson
- Dr Heba Abou-El-Sood
- Dr Imran H Khan Suddahazai
- Dr Iram Bhatti
- Dr Martin Harrison
- Dr Mohd Rizal Muwazir
Completed Initiatives
Our completed research areas have made significant contributions to our strong reputation for research excellence, and our performance in REF to date. The Centres below set out key research that has been completed on core themes within the School.

Centre for Performance-Led HR
This Centre was active from 2006 to 2016, and brought together world-class academics to work with top HR directors from major corporations and the public sector to overcome the most pressing issues facing senior HR specialists. To understand key challenges, the Centre worked with an integrated and collaborative research model, taking a problem-based approach that enabled us to offer advice and solutions to tackle real-world HR problems in the current economic climate.
Key Publication: Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance
For any queries on the work of this centre including past publications, please contact Teresa Aldren.

International Centre for Research in Accounting
The International Centre for Research in Accounting (ICRA) was formed by a trust deed on 7 December 1971. ICRA was registered with the Charity Commission in 1972 as a charity with the object of advancing education and promoting theoretical and applied research in accounting and related aspects of finance. This centre provided support for research to faculty and student researchers from Lancaster and other universities, as well as access to a large range of financial databases held at Lancaster University, including a comprehensive financial statement library covering all UK-listed companies from 1971 to date.
For any queries relating to this centre, please contact Linda Airey.