Doctor Olivia Ramsbottom PhD SFHEA MSc BA (Hons)
Senior Lecturer
Summary
My focus is on applied, contextualised learning for businesses, which I integrate into my higher education teaching. I bring experience of 16 years’ management and work as a self-employed trainer and consultant to my teaching. I edited the book 'Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society' which was published by Taylor & Francis in July 2025, contributing five of its ten chapters. I'm also working on the 2nd edition of The Fundamentals of Event Design and developing research into microbusinesses’ awareness and attitudes toward sustainability. All of this research and publishing work informs my teaching, meaning that I can guide students through real business and management challenges.
About
I am a Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management in the Business, Management and People Division of Sheffield Business School. I am the Module Leader for the MBA online Strategic Management module and co-Module Leader for the MBA online Consultancy Project module. I am Module Leader for two capstone Level 6 modules: Strategy in the Global and Digital Environment and Implementing Strategy and Change, and a Module Tutor for the range of apprenticeship work-based project modules (Levels 4 to 7). I am Module Leader for Leading Change Projects on the Senior Leader Apprenticeship. I am an MBA tutor and supervisor and a facilitator on the Help to Grow programme.
I have a BA (Hons) Politics and English degree, an MSc in Management and a PhD studied whilst working as a full-time lecturer at the University of Derby and I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Prior to becoming a lecturer, I worked at a variety of private and public sector organisations as a manager. I worked at the York Multimedia Network at the birth of the internet when businesses were figuring out what benefits it held for them! Since then I've worked at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Medical Research Council, as well as in a management role at the University of Derby. This professional experience supports my interest in the contextualisation and application of theories and models, and the adaptation of those for different environments.
I am also co-Recruitment Lead for Business Management and Enterprise course at Sheffield Business School, meaning that you will see me at a lot of the Open Days and Applicant Days.
Senior Lecturer
Teaching
Sheffield Business School
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Business, Management and People
Modules taught
I am currently Module Tutor and Undergraduate Supervisor on:
Work Based Reviews for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships
Work Based Projects for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships
Work Based Investigations for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships
Leading Strategic Work Based Proposals for Senior Leader Apprenticeships
I am Module Leader of:
Implementing Strategy and Change
Strategy in the Global and Digital Supervisor
I am the Facilitator for 'Winning New Markets' on the Help 2 Grow programme.
I am currently Module Tutor and Undergraduate Supervisor on:
Work Based Reviews for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships
Work Based Projects for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships
Work Based Investigations for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships
Leading Strategic Work Based Proposals for Senior Leader Apprenticeships
I am Module Leader of:
Implementing Strategy and Change
Strategy in the Global and Digital Environment
Leading Change Projects for Senior Leader Apprenticeships
I am the Facilitator for 'Winning New Markets' on the Help 2 Grow programme
Research
Publications
Blog article - https://blog.heprofessional.co.uk/edition/using-the-experts-to-augment-apprenticeship-delivery
Antchak, V, and Ramsbottom, O. (2020) The Fundamentals of Event Design.Oxon: Routledge.
Anthonisz, A., Heap, T. and Ramsbottom, O. (2017) Developing an Effective Human Resource Strategy in the Spa Industry, in Rawlinson, S. & Heap, T. (eds) International Spa Management, London: Goodfellow Publishers
Ramsbottom, O., Michopoulou, E. and Azara, I. (2017) Editorial of the special issue on ‘Making Sense of Events Experiences’ in Events Management an International Journal.
Conferences
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Conference, December 2022. Conference Paper.
UVAC (University Vocational Awards Council) Conference, November 2022. Conference Paper.
Learning and Teaching Conference, July 2022. Conference Paper.
THE INC Conference, June 2018. Conference Paper.
AEME (Association for Event Management Education), AEME Conference, 15th July 2016. Conference Paper.
University of Derby, PGR Conferences, 9th January 2014, 27th April 2016 and 2nd May 2019. Conference Papers.
Research and Writing
- I am working with colleagues to build a collaborative research group across multiple universities to carry out research into a new academic teaching model for HDAs (Higher and Degree Apprenticeship), informing teaching and learning and impacting on workplaces.
- I am building a team of academics to write a contemporary, useful, and popular book on strategic thinking to be used in current and future-focused teaching.
Microbusinesses' cognisance of sustainability; barriers, enablers and solutions for microbusinesses to contribute to a sustainable system
Publications
Journal articles
Ramsbottom, O., Michopoulou, E., & Azara, I. (2017). Editorial for ‘Making Sense of Events Experiences’. Events Management an International Journal.
Book chapters
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). Defining Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society. (pp. 1-29). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-1/defining-strategic-thinking-olivia-ramsbottom?context=ubx&refId=72ead58c-ec73-406c-9093-9874fa5d864f
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). Defining Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society. (pp. 1-29). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-1/defining-strategic-thinking-olivia-ramsbottom?context=ubx&refId=72ead58c-ec73-406c-9093-9874fa5d864f
Ramsbottom, O., Duffy, M., O'Dor, J., & Watts, J. (2025). Legal Responsibilities. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society. (pp. 204-221). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003475545-8
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). The Complements to Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society A Practical Guide. (pp. 30-64). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-2/complements-strategic-thinking-olivia-ramsbottom?context=ubx&refId=408f297e-67b1-4dc8-ba90-e661766dfb6b
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). The Complements to Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society A Practical Guide. (pp. 30-64). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-2/complements-strategic-thinking-olivia-ramsbottom?context=ubx&refId=408f297e-67b1-4dc8-ba90-e661766dfb6b
Ramsbottom, O., & Wylie, A. (2025). Re-examining Economic Responsibility. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society A Practical Guide. (pp. 124-150). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-5/re-examining-economic-responsibility-olivia-ramsbottom-anne-wylie?context=ubx&refId=ecd33862-7f58-4612-bbf3-f4de23273599
Ramsbottom, O., & Wylie, A. (2025). Re-examining Economic Responsibility. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society A Practical Guide. (pp. 124-150). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-5/re-examining-economic-responsibility-olivia-ramsbottom-anne-wylie?context=ubx&refId=ecd33862-7f58-4612-bbf3-f4de23273599
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). A Systems View Toolkit for Responsible Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society A Practical Guide. (pp. 245-260). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-10/systems-view-toolkit-responsible-strategic-thinking-olivia-ramsbottom?context=ubx&refId=5591289a-5a10-4ec9-865a-8a347aeeacc1
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). A Systems View Toolkit for Responsible Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society A Practical Guide. (pp. 245-260). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003475545-10/systems-view-toolkit-responsible-strategic-thinking-olivia-ramsbottom?context=ubx&refId=5591289a-5a10-4ec9-865a-8a347aeeacc1
Williams, N., & Woodhouse, D. (2025). Engaging with the Plurality of Economics for Integrated Strategic Thinking. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society. (pp. 88-123). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003475545-4
Ramsbottom, O., Duffy, M., O'Dor, J., & Watts, J. (2025). Legal Responsibilities. In Ramsbottom, O. (Ed.) Responsible Strategic Thinking for Business and Society. (pp. 204-221). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003475545-8
Ramsbottom, O., Anthonisz, A., & Heap, T. (2017). Developing an Effective Human Resource Strategy in the Spa Industry. In Rawlinson, S., & Heap, T. (Eds.) International Spa Management. (First). Goodfellow Publishers
Ramsbottom, O., Anthonisz, A., & Heap, T. (2017). Developing an Effective Human Resource Strategy in the Spa Industry. In Rawlinson, S., & Heap, T. (Eds.) International Spa Management. (First). Goodfellow Publishers
Books
Antchak, V., & Ramsbottom, O. (2019). The Fundamentals of Event Design.
Internet Publications
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). Winning New Markets: Learning from Case Studies.
Ramsbottom, O., Ryan-Prewett, S., & Digby, S. (2023). Blog article - https://blog.heprofessional.co.uk/edition/using-the-experts-to-augment-apprenticeship-delivery. https://blog.heprofessional.co.uk/edition/using-the-experts-to-augment-apprenticeship-delivery
Presentations
Ramsbottom, O. (2025). Presentation for BCU 2025 Summer Series: Creating a Positive Learner Experience on collaboration with real-world businesses in large module teaching.
Ramsbottom, O., & Linhares, C. (2024). Systems Thinking in Practice and Application: A collaborative, multi-university, inter-disciplinary approach to provide students with a systems view toolkit for Responsible Strategic Thinking. Presented at: 3rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCEMENTS IN PEOPLE MANAGEMENT, Bangalore, India
Linhares, C., Ramsbottom, O., & Duffy, M. (2024). Systems Thinking in Practice and Application: A collaborative, multi-university, inter-disciplinary approach to provide students with a systems view toolkit for Responsible Strategic Thinking. Presented at: PRME UK & Ireland Chapter Conference 2024, University of Exeter, UK
Ramsbottom, O. (2022). Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Conference, December 2022. Conference Paper. UVAC (University Vocational Awards Council) Conference, November 2022. Conference Paper. Learning and Teaching Conference, July 2022. Conference Paper.
Postgraduate supervision
I am currently Postgraduate Supervisor for MBA students.