Dr Christa Sathish

Researching Organizational Culture & Change

"Every Little Action Counts"

I am a Lecturer in Management and Marketing at the University of Westminster. My research focuses on organizational culture and change in particular in the university sector. I am driven by curiosity and a lifelong commitment to societal change, which has shaped my career since 2001. I began as a scientist in pharmaceutical R&D, moved into global development as a project coordinator for a United Nations Institute for Training and Research CIFAL office, and worked as an international educator in South India. My academic education focused on business and management, but I completed my PhD in Media practices. These experiences across science, policy, and education have grounded my focus on organizational culture and change, understanding how systems shift not just in theory, but through lived practice. My research is both theoretical and empirical but always led by a dedication to ‘doing’. I like taking my time to reflect, write, and turn knowledge into a tangible, meaningful impact.

My ethos is reflected in my research, teaching, and leadership. As co-founder of Positive Academia CIC and a lead team member of the CYGNA Women in Academia Network, my motivation is grounded in deep care for people, relationships, and the common good of society. In my work, I try to break down the rigid structures of academia by fostering what I call ‘flatter universities’ – spaces that are more humane, relational, reflexive, equal, and inclusive. My efforts focus on the intersection of personal, professional, and societal meaning, where I believe the most enduring change happens. Whether through publications, teaching and learning guides, blog posts, white papers, student co-creation projects, mentoring, or reflective initiatives like Every Little Action Counts or The Fables of the Academia, I am committed to change-making from within – reimagining academic landscapes as spaces where care is visible, reflexivity prevails, leadership is shared, and transformation is both possible and practiced through small and big actions every day.

ORCID: 0000-0001-9182-9559

Introducing Dr Christa Sathish: Edward Elgar Publishing-In Conversation with

I (Christa Sathish) had the opportunity to record a conversation with Edward Elgar reflecting on my academic journey, the ideas behind Positive Academia, and some of the experiences that have shaped how I think about academic life. Preparing for that conversation led me to revisit parts of my own story that I do not often stop to explore—not promotions, milestones, or other measurable achievements, but the less visible components such as uncertainty, unexpected turns, changing directions, curiosity, and the challenge of bringing together interests that did not always seem to belong together.

About Christa Sathish

All about my career journey since 2004

Cultivating and crafting Positive Academia

Useful resources, material and further information about our Positive Academia endeavour.

The Fables of the Academic Zoo

For me, Positive Academia is a personal and professional mission that resonates deeply with my journey as a scientist and academic. Having navigated the challenges of scientific research and business studies in academia, I have experienced and witnessed the pressures that academics—i.e., researchers and teachers—face. I believe in fostering a supportive environment where the individual scholar comes first, allowing them to thrive personally and professionally.

Every Little Action Counts Campaign

Academia often feels like a place of immense pressure, competition, and isolation, but I see it as an opportunity to foster a more inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment. This campaign is my way of reimagining what academia can be—a space where every voice matters, every action has value, and every individual feels seen and heard.

Teaching for positive impact

All about how I create positive impact with my teaching. Three  guides!

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion

Posts on EDI in academia

Social media & Wellbeing of academics

Posts on social media and wellbeing of academics.

Chromaleon - Students as Co-Creators Project

Our project applies reflective blogging as a transformative tool to achieve these goals. By putting students at the heart of the design, execution, and evaluation process, this initiative illuminates the value of reflective practices for diverse student populations in higher education.

Announcements

Cultivating the Cultures We Want to See

There is one word that has stayed with me since writing my recent article on organizational culture: cultivate. I chose it deliberately because I realized that many of the words we commonly use to describe organizational change no longer capture what organizational...

What Does It Mean to Flourish?

The word flourishing has become increasingly common in conversations about higher education. Universities speak of supporting flourishing students, flourishing researchers, and flourishing workplaces. Yet I often wonder whether we pause long enough to consider what...

There is No Single Way to Change Academic Cultures

Continuing to reflect on the conversations surrounding my (Christa Sathish) recent Edward Elgar Publishing 40thanniversary podcast on the relationships between academic journeys and the cultures we collectively create within our institutions. In my previous post,...

There is no single way to build an academic life

Recently, I had the opportunity to record a conversation with Edward Elgar reflecting on my academic journey, the ideas behind Positive Academia, and some of the experiences that have shaped how I think about academic life. Listen to the full Podcast in the Edward...

Volunteering for Impact: Where It Begins

I took this photograph during my recent family vacation in South India at my in-laws' village property. I was sitting quietly in the corner, observing what seemed like an ordinary moment. The woman on the left is my mother-in-law. She had gathered fresh leaves and...

Volunteering for Impact (1): Supporting PhD Students’ Digital Scholarship

There is something quietly transformative about volunteering within academia. It rarely makes it into performance metrics, and yet, it is often where the most meaningful change begins. Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the University of Westminster’s...

Peer-to-Peer Learning as a Catalyst for Positive Teaching Cultures

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of welcoming two of my former Finance & Accounting students, Fakhria Joya and Alexander Georgy, into my Level 4 lecture for my Marketing for Finance & Accounting module at the University of Westminster. Their lecture...

Reflections on my first AOM 2025 – Copenhagen: Finding Balance in the Buzz as a Strong Introvert

“I love it quiet, but also believe in purpose-driven presence” Attending the Academy of Management for the first time felt like stepping into another dimension of academic life – one that was vibrant, buzzing, and very lively. Like many who completed their PhDs during...

Week 23: Fables of Academia – The Reimagined Academic Zoo

As a place of strict hierarchies and unyielding competition, the Academic Zoo had reached a breaking point. The animals, weary and divided, started to question the system that had shaped their lives. Inspired by the crane’s wisdom, the elephant’s nurturing nature, and...

Week 59 EveryLittleActionCounts: Practice stillness!

#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 59: Practice stillness! In academia, we are often rewarded for our speed in publishing, providing instant responses, teaching efficiently, and attending to our responsibilities relentlessly. However, wisdom, insight, genuine relationships...