Ariel de Fauconberg, Cambridge Judge Business School (United Kingdom)

Ari is a PhD candidate in the Organisational Theory & Information Systems subject group at Cambridge Judge Business School. Ari’s research focuses on understanding societally transformative technologies in the context of climate change. Her doctoral dissertation investigates barriers to pursuing net-zero aligned energy innovations as experienced by established fossil fuel incumbents, emerging climate technology ventures, and investors.

Here is Ari’s story.

What are some memorable experiences you have had during your time as a PhD student?

My PhD journey has been filled with memorable experiences, perhaps even more so by starting during the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic! Despite the challenges of conducting ethnographic research during that time, one of the most exciting aspects has been engaging with cutting-edge climate technologies that have the potential to transform society as we know it. For instance, I’ve had the opportunity to study the acceleration of SMRs – Small Modular Nuclear reactors – which have the potential to transform industrial decarbonization, helping reach global Net Zero targets and improving standards of living. It’s amazing stuff.

Equally rewarding has been the opportunity to regularly engage in discussions at Judge with senior scholars like Professors Paul Tracey, Michael Barrett, and Jen Howard-Grenville. It’s been intellectually stimulating to be supportively challenged by them while developing my dissertation’s research projects, not to mention being able to see and give feedback on some of their earlier stage works in progress as part of our subject group. Experiences like these have not only expanded my understanding of our field, but also reinforced for me the importance of creating robust, reliable research, that can be used to address critical societal challenges like the climate crisis.

What inspired you to pursue a PhD?

My path to pursuing a PhD in Management was a journey of discovery. I had originally been training to become an architect, when I paused to do a one-year master’s at Oxford, which is where I incidentally met my mentor during that time, Professor Gordon Clark. Gordon’s research and work focuses on corporate social and environmental management, especially in relation to financial institutions. Working with him shifted my career trajectory, leading me through an MBA, time in industry, and joining research teams focused on stranded assets and later, clean-energy entrepreneurship.

During that time, I recognized that I felt a need to contribute more explicitly to addressing the climate crisis, which is an issue close to my heart from growing up in New Zealand. I felt a calling to work on developing core research and theories that could help expand our scientific knowledge and drive responsible, evidence-based actions across industry, policy, and grassroots efforts.

With that in mind, to me, my PhD is an apprenticeship in learning how to conduct rigorous, impactful research. I’m now working on what I believe is a crucial element in addressing the climate crisis: understanding barriers to innovation within the energy transition. This work not only continues to refine my research skills, but also offers the opportunity for my work to make meaningful contributions to academia and beyond. As an added benefit, it’s introduced me to a remarkable community of colleagues focused on this and related organizational and strategic challenges.

In brief, what is the empirical method you are adopting in your thesis?

In my dissertation, I primarily employ qualitative and/or mixed methods with a particular focus on ethnography. This approach stems from my early academic background in Anthropology and aligns with my current research objectives. I’m deeply interested in building grounded theory to understand the complex dynamics of innovation and organizational identity in the context of societally transformative innovations, like what we’re seeing within the energy transition.

I appreciate ethnography as a method as it allows me to immerse myself in the environments I’m studying. You have to understand things from the perspective of those who are living and experiencing a given phenomenon if you want to generate useful new theory that helps us better understand our world. For my work, ethnographic methods provide rich, contextual data that helps to identify the nuanced barriers and drivers of innovation in the net-zero energy space. By spending extended periods observing and interacting with key stakeholders, I can capture the subtleties of organizational cultures, decision-making processes, and the lived experiences of individuals navigating this rapidly shifting landscape. This depth of insight is crucial for developing robust theories that can inform both academic discourse and practical strategies for sustainable innovation, not to mention doing justice to the participants who are willing to share their experiences with you.

That said, doing ethnographic fieldwork also has a reciprocal impact on you as a researcher. I’ve grown both personally and professionally from every field site I’ve been part of, whether that was my early fieldwork in Fez during my Bachelor’s degree or my more recent PhD work in London and beyond.

Can you describe a “eureka moment” you might have had during your PhD?

My PhD journey has been filled with many “eureka moments,” as both a privilege and a pain point of this journey is that you have the luxury of being constantly immersed in your research. Some of my most profound moments have come during unexpected times, like the morning after four-hour whiteboarding sessions with my supervisor, Professor Matthew Grimes – one of my favorite parts of my PhD – or when I’m out on long runs. I’ve found that stepping away from my desk and doing some sport or reconnecting with nature often clears my mind and sparks new connections.

That said, one particularly memorable moment came during my study of values homophily within early-stage climate tech entrepreneurs’ teaming process. It wasn’t until I’d stepped back from the data that I realized how unique my dataset was due to the pandemic lockdowns. I’d amassed hundreds of hours of virtual recordings and digital artifacts, alongside more traditional in-person field engagements and interviews. This unexpected blend allowed me to observe phenomena in unusually fine-grained detail, but because I was so close I didn’t make that connection until after a chance remark at a conference dinner. It’s fascinating how sometimes the most significant realizations are right in front of us, waiting to be seen!

What side projects, communities, or other initiatives are you involved in?

Beyond my core research, I’ve had the privilege of being engaged with several initiatives that complement my core work and broaden its impact. As a member of the World Economic Forum Expert Network, I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with entrepreneurs impacted during the pandemic, leading to my co-authoring a 2021 white paper on SME resilience and sustainability. I’m also part of the Responsible Research in Business and Management (RRBM) network, which has been a great resource for meeting similarly motivated colleagues and encouraging a focus on developing useful and credible knowledge that addresses problems important to business and society.  

In terms of research groups, I’m currently involved in two additional communities at Judge: the Energy Policy Research Group (EPRG) and the Cambridge-LMU Strategic Partnership on Entrepreneurship research. These collaborations have enabled me to work cross-disciplinarily with international colleagues. They’ve been a great reminder of the joys in collaborative thinking and the importance of diverse environments for stimulating research insights.

What hobbies or interests do you enjoy outside of work?

Outside of my core research, I have several personal interests that keep me energized and balanced. I’m particularly keen on exploring new digital and social innovations, I love writing, and I enjoy both film and film production, especially cinematography.

I have a deep appreciation for the responsible stewardship of significant natural and cultural areas, so whenever I’m able to step out of the office, I like to explore those that are nearby and accessible. For the past decade or so, I’ve been interested in International Dark Sky Parks like Chaco Canyon in the United States or Glenlivet in the Scottish Cairngorms. Living in the UK during the pandemic also meant that I had the opportunity to go wild camping and hiking in Scotland – waking up to a misty morning near the spectacular Quiraing on the Isle of Skye was incredible. When I’m in Cambridge, though, I’m typically out either running or rowing every day. The landscape around Cambridge is remarkable. I hope I never take it for granted.

What three tips would you offer to new PhD students in your field?

Based on my experience, I’d offer three key pieces of advice to new PhD students in our field:

  1. Prioritize relationships. Whether it’s with research participants, professional colleagues, or other academics, strong relationships are crucial. My work with climate tech entrepreneurs, energy incumbents, and investors has reinforced for me how valuable these connections can be not just for data collection, but for deeper insights and future collaborations.
  2. Pay it forward through mentorship. I’ve benefited immensely from mentors throughout every stage of my career. Now, I try to do the same for others, whether through teaching or informal guidance to more junior researchers. I find it rewarding and, even better, it helps build a supportive academic community.
  3. Learn to balance exploration and focus. It’s important to explore diverse ideas, especially early in your PhD: attend conferences and workshops, engage in interdisciplinary discussions, be open to new perspectives. However, equally crucial is knowing when to say “no” and focus on your core research. Find the balance you need early on and become comfortable with missing out on events when you need to prioritize your deep work. Have friends and colleagues who support you in this. It will pay off in the long run.    

In brief, what does the GRONEN community mean to you?

My experience at the 2024 GRONEN conference in Paris was my first in person, and I felt immediately welcomed into this enthusiastic, transdisciplinary community of scholars, passionate about recognizing and improving the relationship between organizations and the natural environment. Unlike other research communities in Management, GRONEN has a unique spirit of exploration that I believe is crucial in our field. As a community, it provides a space to learn about topically relevant and diverse research, to exchange ideas, and to receive valuable feedback.

What’s next for you?

Well, sleep is certainly on the agenda after I finish my doctoral dissertation this year! Joking aside, I am excited about what’s coming next. My book exploring the pioneering work of early-stage climate tech entrepreneurs is in its final stages, so stay tuned for updates on that front. I’ve also become particularly interested in perceptions of responsibility around geoengineering ventures, which I’m currently exploring with some colleagues. Otherwise, I have another research project on hold that I’m eager to dive into once my dissertation is wrapped. So, in short: write, publish, explore, repeat – likely with some more fieldwork thrown in!

Contact

If you would like to reach out to Ari, you can contact her via email (adefauconberg@gatesscholar.org) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/defauconberg/)

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