Sheffield University Management School has unveiled a new vision with a bold approach to management education to meet the global challenges of tomorrow.
This forward-looking approach positions the School as a ‘Management School of the Future’, building on the School’s distinctive research strengths and commitment to inform and shape the management of global issues in a socially responsible manner.
Professor Fraser McLeay, Dean of the Management School, said:
“We started by focusing on our research strengths and how they can equip students and other stakeholders to succeed in a more complex and globally connected world. Population growth is placing increasing pressure on cities, healthcare systems, energy use, labour markets and natural resources. It is reshaping how societies live, work and thrive.
We are building a bold response — preparing students not just to adapt to these shifts, but to shape them responsibly and sustainably.”
The School has created three new research priorities that will help drive the vision:
Managing the future of cities
The School’s research addresses the sustainability, resilience and innovation challenges facing urban environments, exploring how cities can be powered and connected through cleaner, more efficient energy and transport systems, including advanced modelling of hybrid energy storage solutions and innovative approaches to infrastructure planning. Researchers also investigate circular economy transitions, sustainable production and consumption patterns, the governance of infrastructure and utility markets, and the financial sustainability of urban economies to reduce environmental impacts and enhance economic and societal wellbeing.
Managing the future of healthcare
The School’s research investigates the structural transformation of health and care organisations, the adoption and governance of new technologies, and the optimisation of pharmaceutical supply chains and patient pathways. The theme also focuses on the role of organisations in supporting the health and wellbeing of their own workforces, recognising the critical role of decent and sustainable work in overall health outcomes.
Managing the future of work and business
The School’s research tackles the fundamental challenges shaping work, organisations and economic systems in the 21st century, exploring how meaningful, decent and sustainable work can be fostered amid technological transformation and the rise of AI. Researchers examine how employment regulation, international supply chains and government policy influence job quality and inclusive labour markets. Research within the School also advances understanding of productivity, the importance of entrepreneurship, and the role of strong institutions and intelligent regulation in driving sustainable and equitable growth.
Professor Eleanor Davies, Associate Dean (Education), stated:
“I very much welcome the challenge this new vision sets for us as we renew our curriculum for the next decade. It gives us a clear focus and distinctiveness, grounded in the real and interconnected challenges shaping how cities function, how health systems evolve, and how work and organisations are changing.
Our task is to design an educational experience that genuinely transforms our graduates’ lives — informed by research, equipping them to navigate complexity, question assumptions, and lead meaningful change.”
Professor McLeay added:
“Our new vision sharpens our strategic focus and distinctiveness. These themes will drive ambitious, interdisciplinary research with real-world impact, closely aligned with challenge-led education.
By aligning research excellence with curriculum renewal, we are strengthening our ability to shape responsible leaders and generate insight that matters — locally, nationally and globally.”
To learn more about the new vision visit our about us page.
