Personal profile
Research biography
I am a Senior Lecturer (Human Resource and Management Discipline) at AIB.
With a PhD in Applied Economics, MPhil in Management, MBA, MEco, MEd and Diploma in counselling, I have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research that addresses the evolving challenges facing businesses in the new millennium. As an experienced researcher, I am currently involved in several projects, including work on the role of repairing; ethical mindedness and ethical imagination in higher education; student engagement in the age of AI; workplace peer support; cultural competence; Indigenous management; and career adaptability in AI-mediated contexts. My work has been published in outlets such as the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, as well as by publishers including Cambridge University Press, Routledge, Emerald, Springer, and Elsevier.
Education/Academic qualification
Certificate in Global Business, International Business/Trade/Commerce, Harvard Business School Online
… → 2021
Graduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching, Higher Education, Swinburne University of Technology
… → 2019
Certificate in Effective Online Course Design, University of Oxford
… → 2018
Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Australia
2010 → 2015
Master of Philosophy
2007 → 2010
Master of Business Administration, University of Dhaka
2002 → 2005
Counselling, Diploma
Teaching & Assessment, Certificate IV
Research Interests
- Strategic Management
- International Business
- Human Resources
- Mental health & wellbeing
- Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
- Sustainability
- Ethics in higher education
- Online education
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
-
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
-
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
-
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
-
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
-
SDG 13 Climate Action
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
-
Culturally Responsive AI: Enhancing Student Engagement and Belonging in Transnational Education
Ala, M., Jan 2026, Digital Frontiers of AI in Transnational Education. Malik, M. H., Rosunally, Y. & Younis, N. (eds.). IGI Global, p. 161-184 (Digital Frontiers of AI in Transnational Education).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
-
Migrant Wellbeing at Work: Peer Support as a Driver of Inclusion and Innovation
Ala, M., 2026, Impacts of Global Migration on Work, Innovation, and Societal Transformation. Ngocha-Chaderopa, N. E. (ed.). IGI Global Publishing, p. 285-304 20 p. (Impacts of Global Migration on Work, Innovation, and Societal Transformation).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
-
Adapting strategic management pedagogy for non-business learners: A reflective curriculum redesign in an MBA context
Ala, M., 2 Dec 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference paper
-
Are Trump's Tariffs Justified After All?
Kaufmann, U., Phung, P. & Ala, M., 10 Dec 2025, AIB Review, 15.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › AIB Review - scholarly output
Open AccessFile109 Downloads (Pure) -
Culturally Competent Counselling: A Necessity (Not a Choice) in Evolving Diverse Societies
Ala, M., 11 Jun 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference paper › peer-review
Prizes
-
-
-
University of Australia (UniSA) Business Career Mentor Program (BCMP) Five-Year Service Award
Ala, M. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Honorary award
Activities
-
AIB Research Candidate Conference 2025
Kaufmann, U. (Chair), Kaur, A. (Member of programme committee), Goel, K. (Member of programme committee), Osei Bonsu, C. (Member of programme committee), Algewatthage, L. (Member of programme committee), Morris, G. (Organiser), Harvey, K. (Participant), De Vos, S. (Session chair), Ahmadi, S. (Participant), Dimiti, M. (Participant), Albabaa, A. (Participant), Stanway, A. (Session chair), Kunaka, B. (Participant), Warren, D. (Participant), MacKinnell, A. (Participant), Dirani, M. (Participant), Khan, S. (Participant), Stresnjak, N. (Participant), Kruithoff, G. (Participant), Sun, M. (Session chair), Bricker, J. (Participant), Pierce, C. (Participant), Church, M. (Participant), Mauriello, B. (Participant), Shokouhyar, S. (Participant), Nair, S. (Participant), Power, W. (Participant), Yeomans, A. (Participant), Ala, M. (Session chair), Derksen, D. (Participant), Charitsis, V. V. (Participant), Prashad, D. (Participant), Riemschneider, U. (Participant), Winn, M. (Participant), Wachulec, A. (Participant), Ainsworth, A. (Participant), Patel, P. (Participant), Lindquist, C. (Participant), Phung, P. (Participant) & Jimma, S. B. (Participant)
29 Oct 2025 → 31 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
-
Building a culture of integrity in higher education: The role of ethical mindedness and moral imagination
Ala, M. (Speaker)
5 Sept 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
-
AIB 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition 2025
Ala, M. (Chair)
15 May 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
-
Supporting Students in Tertiary Education
Ala, M. (Speaker)
30 Apr 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
-
The 83rd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (Event)
Ala, M. (Reviewer)
4 Aug 2023 → 8 Aug 2023Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication Peer-review
Press/Media
-
-
Repairing old or broken products will not only reduce waste, but also contribute to a sustainable society
18/12/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media