Dr Christa Sathish

Researching Organizational Culture & Change

particularly in the Higher Education Sector

"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

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

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...

Week 22: Fables of Academia – The Oyster’s Pearl

In the deepest pool of the Academic Zoo lived a small oyster, frequently overlooked by the other animals. Life for the oyster wasn’t easy—the currents were strong, the water murky, and grains of sand often found their way into her shell, causing pain and discomfort....

Week 58 EveryLittleActionCounts: Become sensitive when constructing knowledge!

#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 58: Become sensitive when constructing knowledge! In academia, knowledge is of treated as universal and objective, yet it is always shaped by context – by who produces it, for whom, where, and under what conditions. Becoming sensitive to...

Week 21: Fables of Academia – The Elephant’s Circle

In the Academic Zoo, the elephants were known for their wisdom and strength. However, what truly distinguished them was their profound care for one another. When one elephant fell behind, the herd would halt, forming a protective circle around their companion. The...

Week 57 EveryLittleActionCounts: Overcome your fears!

#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 57: Overcome your fears! Fear is an ever-present yet often hidden companion in academic life and beyond – fear of rejection, fear of not being good enough, fear of not being worthy, fear of not belonging. It can silence our voices and...

Week 56 EveryLittleActionCounts: Dare to break free from instrumentalism!

#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 56: Dare to break free from instrumentalism! Satisfying our egos and the metrics established by our institutions are key strategies for many academics to ascend the academic ivory tower. In doing so, fostering caring connections and...

Week 20: Fables of Academia – The Cranes and the Finches

In the Academic Zoo, the tall cranes towered over the landscape, their sharp eyes surveying the horizon. Known for their wisdom and years of experience, they were regarded as the leaders of thought. Meanwhile, the finches darted through the air, small and energetic,...

Week 55 EveryLittleActionCounts: Embrace the Little Things!

#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 55: Embrace the Little Things! Chasing big wins – grant awards, recognition, high-impact publications, tenure-track positions, social capital, popularity, being visible and popular – we can easily overlook the small experiences that...