Sara Tavakoli is a 3rd Year PhD Business and Management student in the Alliance Manchester Business School. Originally from Iran, her PhD is funded by a studentship awarded by AMBS.

When did you first know you wanted to study a PhD? 

I knew this from when I was in elementary school. My father is a retired university professor, and we used to live on campus until I was eight (this was part of the university system for early- to mid-career faculty members). As a result, I was surrounded by faculty members, their families, and students from a very young age. I had the chance to listen to many stories about research and teaching, which were very inspiring for me.

What were the deciding factors on choosing The University of Manchester for your PhD?

Academically speaking, The University of Manchester is a prestigious institution. The business and management programme aligns well with my long-term goals, and I found supervisors who are highly knowledgeable and genuinely interested in my PhD proposal.

A PhD is a long programme and forms a significant part of one’s identity as an independent scholar, so lifestyle is an important factor. At The University of Manchester, work–life balance is respected, and the development of students’ soft skills is a core priority.
Lastly, the relatively small time-zone difference between the UK and my home country makes it easier for me to stay connected with my family.

How did your research interest develop? What makes your research distinctive?

I work on developing a decision-support tool for policymakers in the area of energy poverty. This is a quantitative tool, similar to a policy lab, that enables policymakers to make sure schemes and programmes in the energy poverty and energy transition fields really protect vulnerable groups and are fair to everyone.

I worked in a grid management company for nine years. I believe that in most technical areas we are well ahead, but many problems are rooted in less data-driven decisions by top managers and policymakers.

The idea was further developed when I started working on an energy justice research project (a closely related topic) with a few academic colleagues. We dropped the topic due to some problems in the initial phases, but the idea was already born.

In my opinion, what distinguishes my research from other academic disciplines in the Faculty is its strongly applied and cross-disciplinary nature. While it is grounded in management and decision sciences, it directly engages with real-world policy challenges in energy poverty and energy transition.

My work sits at the intersection of quantitative analysis, public policy, and social justice, aiming not only to explain problems but to support better decision-making by policymakers. Rather than producing purely theoretical contributions, the output of my research is a practical decision-support tool that can be used beyond academia.

This combination of academic rigour, policy relevance, and practical impact is what I see as the key distinction of my research within the Faculty.

What have been the highlights of your PhD experience? 

My PhD journey has been wonderful so far. I have had the chance to meet peers working on diverse and fascinating topics, and to connect with brilliant minds through the many events constantly happening on campus. But I would like to highlight two experiences in particular.

1. First, I completed a 12-week industrial placement over the summer at Arup, a large and internationally recognised engineering consultancy with 74 offices worldwide. With the support of my supervisors and the Doctoral Academy, this opportunity became possible. During the placement, I learned a great deal about the consultancy industry and how the private sector and government collaborate to drive change in the UK’s energy landscape. I also built valuable connections and learned about potential opportunities for after graduation.
2. Second, AMBS hosted one of the most prestigious conferences in Marketing in 2024, which is invite-only, but I had the chance to attend its invaluable sessions in exchange for helping with the organisation. It was an exceptional experience to host leading scholars from around the world. A memorable bonus was joining a private tour of Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, as part of the AMA-Sheth Conference social events.

What does a typical week at your current research stage look like?

I am a night person and work best in the evenings. I usually go to campus around 11AM and stay until 8 or 9PM, from Tuesday to Friday. However, this time is not spent entirely on research.

During the week, I make a conscious effort to maintain a social routine. I go out for lunch with friends at least once a week, usually to a restaurant outside campus. We attend a campus social event roughly every two weeks, and during the day we take short breaks for tea and conversation.

Alongside my research, I teach a few seminars each week. This is not mandatory for PhD students, but I find it very helpful. I also participate in behavioural research lab tests whenever new ones are available, which are usually paid and designed like game-playing experiments. I also make time for personal commitments, such as regular video calls with my mum.

Overall, I spend around 9–10 hours a day on campus, of which approximately 6–7 hours are dedicated to research. For me, campus life is not only about research but also about maintaining social connections and wellbeing.

On Mondays, I work from home, which I prefer for online meetings. Weekends are reserved for non-university life, including chores, social activities, shopping, hiking, and short trips.

I have learned that I am most productive when I am in charge of my time and have flexibility. At the same time, I am not a lone researcher and work better when I am surrounded by others who are also working.

What should future PhD students be prepared for in their first six months of study?

From day one, try to make your research as structured as possible. Start with a systematic literature review and use qualitative tools, such as NVivo, to organise your reading and take notes efficiently.

In the first six months, most of your time will be spent on coursework and literature review. The courses are not there to help you achieve top marks; they are there as tools to support your research. Focus more on learning how to use them effectively rather than aiming for high scores.

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