Through its research pathway, the UQ MBA offers a unique opportunity to hone your expertise and delve deeper into a business field of interest.

This pathway can enhance your professional career opportunities and equip you with the research capabilities to complete a PhD. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting option to customise your MBA.

Why choose the research pathway?

The research pathway offers a structured approach to developing deep domain knowledge and research skills that can significantly impact your career trajectory.  Whether you aim to become an academic, a consultant or a leader in your industry, completing this pathway will ensure you gain the tools and opportunities needed to achieve your goals.

Benefits of the research pathway

The research pathway offers numerous benefits that can enhance your career and academic prospects, including:

1. PhD pathway
   Completing an MBA research project demonstrates evidence of your research capabilities, which is a key requirement for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) applications. It also gives you a taste of what research is like, helping you decide if a PhD or higher degree by research is the right path for you.
    
2. Establish yourself as a thought leader with deep domain expertise
   Engaging in a research project allows you to immerse yourself in your specialist area of business. You'll read and summarise existing research, test theoretical concepts and conduct your own research. The in-depth knowledge you'll gain will set you apart in your field and establish you as a thought leader.
   
   This deep domain expertise can open doors to new career opportunities, whether in industry, consulting or academia.
    
3. Develop valuable analytical and communication skills
   The research pathway will enhance your ability to synthesise information, analyse data and generate evidence-based insights. Writing a 10–12,000-word thesis teaches you to condense information, construct logical, persuasive arguments and communicate complex ideas in a clear, concise way. These analytical and communication skills are invaluable in many professional settings and are essential for academic success.
    
4. Expand your professional network
   Conducting research often involves interacting with industry connections and experts in your field. This can help you build a strong professional network. Your network will prove beneficial whether you choose to pursue career opportunities in industry as a consultant or academia.

How the MBA research pathway works

If you’re considering this pathway, here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• Mandatory prerequisite course

The research pathway consists of 2 parts:

1. a business research methods course (there are 3 to choose from)
2. the MBA research project course, which consists of a research thesis.

You only need to choose 1 research methods course (either qualitative or quantitative). These semester-long courses are taught in person at UQ’s St Lucia campus. Completing a research methods course before your research project, or simultaneously, will set you up for success.

If you have previously completed a research methods course at a postgraduate level, you may be eligible for credit. Read more about the research methods courses.

• Choosing your MBA research topic

Selecting a research topic is a strategic decision. The topic you choose should align with your career goals and sit within the business discipline. Areas of study could include human resources, social media, digital transformation, deployment of innovation such as AI, blockchain technology, business operations, corporate social responsibility or more. The key is to choose an area that excites you, is relevant to your professional development and where you can identify a business challenge or topic to gain research insights into.

• Supervisor matching

Finding the right supervisor is crucial. Your supervisor should have expertise in your chosen area and be interested in your research topic. This synergy ensures a productive and supportive research experience.

• Independent study

The research project consists of independent study, meaning you will manage it yourself with guidance from a supervisor. This autonomy allows you to set your own schedule. However, it does require a high level of self-motivation and time management. You’ll also have access to a supportive community of others in the MBA and UQ Business School research cohort along the way.

• Research project execution

The research project course for the MBA is a 4-unit course, equivalent to 2 regular courses. You can start in either Semester 1 or 2 and complete it over 1 or 2 semesters. The project involves collecting primary data, analysing it and writing up your findings. You won’t need to attend classes, but regular meetings with your supervisor are essential to ensure you stay on track.

As co-facilitators of the research pathway, Associate Professor Nicole Hartley and Associate Professor Anna Jenkins can guide you through each of the key decisions you’ll need to make throughout the process.

Example research topics and outcomes

Both Nicole and Anna have supervised previous PhD students who successfully leveraged their research to advance their careers. These projects not only provided valuable insights but also led to significant career advancements. Some students have become academics, while others have used their research to secure promotions or transition into new industries.

Here are some examples from students they’ve previously worked with:

• Julia Roppelt oversaw global product management for an AI solution in radiation therapy at a global corporation (full time) while writing her PhD thesis. As part of her PhD, she investigated the effective adoption of AI in radiation therapy through a qualitative multiple case study. Prior connections established through her corporate role enabled her to collect relevant data efficiently. In turn, the insights gathered in the scope of the research project helped her further understand factors crucial for effective adoption and value creation of AI in radiation therapy. The close coupling between her professional role and research topic allowed her to work full time while executing her research project, which is now published as a journal article.
• Pablo transformed his thesis on what success means to entrepreneurs to publish his findings in one of the leading entrepreneurship journals. He leveraged his publication success to become the head of the entrepreneurship centre at one of Colombia’s top universities. Now he's the pro vice chancellor of entrepreneurship at that university.
• Driven by a need to better understand why there were so few female CEOs among the ASX-listed companies, Dr Terry Fitzsimmons’ MBA thesis involved conducting surveys and interviewing 25 women leaders at CEO level or equivalent across corporate, not for profit and government to examine gender differences in leadership style. He then leveraged this research into a PhD on a similar topic and now, Terry is an Associate Professor in leadership at UQ and the Managing Director of the Australian Gender Equality Council (AGEC).

Practical considerations

The MBA research pathway offers many advantages. However, it’s important to complete it at a time when you have sufficient bandwidth to dedicate to your research. Most students need to balance research with other coursework and professional commitments, hence it’s important to plan ahead to ensure you can dedicate the time required to invest in your research project.

If this is the first time you’re studying at a tertiary level, or if you’re just getting back into it after a break, give yourself time to build confidence in your academic writing and analytical thinking before committing to the research pathway. The process can be challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

The research pathway in the UQ MBA is an excellent option for students eager to develop expertise in a specific area, enhance their analytical capabilities and build a strong network.

Whether you aim to pursue a PhD, move into consulting or advance your career in industry, the research pathway offers the tools and opportunities to achieve your goals. The journey can open doors to new opportunities and help you make a significant impact in your field.

Learn more about how to customise the MBA to align with your interests and goals or reach out to Nicole or Anna if you have any questions.