Designing Research for a Meaningful Contribution
Time and place: 6.-8.5.2026, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
Application deadline: March 31st 2026. Please note that applications will be processed on a rolling basis and early applications are encouraged.
Learning goal and objectives:
This doctoral seminar is designed for PhD students in marketing and business to help them identify, design, and communicate research that makes a significant and original contribution to the academic (marketing) literature, with a focus on theoretical, methodological, and practical impact. The seminar is guided by state-of-the-art research in top-quality business journals (e.g., FT50 / UTD), but will also encourage students to consider stakeholders beyond academia (e.g., societal, economic, or environmental impact of research).
Instruction and examination:
The course will be comprised of seminar style discussion and exercises, altogether in a three-day intensive format. Students will be evaluated based on their contributions to seminar discussions and activities.
Credits: 5 ECTS Credits
Grading: Assignments will be evaluated using a five-level grading scale (1-5): sufficient, satisfactory, good, very good, excellent.
Admittance:
Applications should send a free-form application describing their motivation and goals for taking the seminar, as well as the following information: name, current university affiliation, contact information, degree, major or area of specialization, and current phase of doctoral studies (if applicable). Please submit your application to alexei.gloukhovtsev(at)aalto.fi
25 students will be admitted to the course. While there are no prerequisites, please note that the course has been designed for full-time doctoral students and junior faculty in Business-related disciplines. Please also note that while there is no course fee, we are unable to provide travel or accommodation assistance. Students will be responsible for their own meals.
Course instructor:
Martin Mende
J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Professor in Services Leadership and Professor,
Department of Marketing
Martin.Mende@asu.edu
Bio: https://search.asu.edu/profile/601803
Course coordinator: Dr. Alexei Gloukhovtsev (alexei.gloukhovtsev(at)aalto.fi)