Dr Paula Furtado Kohn LLB, LLM Law, MBA, PhD
Lecturer in OBHRM
Summary
I am passionate about driving growth through a circular economy by fostering interdisciplinarity for meaningful impact. With a background in Law, an MBA in Oil & Gas, and a PhD in Employment Relations within the wind power sector, I bring expertise in energy sector compliance, teaching, and research. I have over two decades of experience as a lecturer and course coordinator and have contributed to academic research on employment relations, supply chains, circular economy and energy transition.
Following this, my ethics and a creative mind, in 2023, I founded SHAPE Circular Research Consultancy to effectively integrate aspects of social sciences, humanities, arts, people and economy into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), enabling stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions and foster a just energy transition. Known for determination and resilience, I value opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge with peers and aspiring industry professionals. My focus is helping learners, people and organisations leave an honourable legacy.
About
My passion lies in driving growth through a circular economy by fostering interdisciplinarity to create a meaningful impact.
In 1999, I graduated in Law with a Master's Degree in Economic Law, an MBA in Oil & Gas and a PhD in Employment Relations within the wind power sector supply chain. I have worked as a solicitor and consultant within the energy sector, providing administrative support and ensuring full compliance with companies’ legal duties, policies and procedures.
I am an experienced Lecturer with over 10 years in Brazil teaching undergrads and coordinating a post-graduation course, leading a team of Lecturers with proactive and consistent support as well as to staff.
My doctoral thesis examined performance management and work in the Brazilian wind power supply chain. During my PhD, I worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Sheffield University between 2018 and 2023. This was rewarding and reassuring, as were the choices I have made career-wise. During this period, I also engaged as a Research Assistant for the JUST2CE Project on Circular Economy at Sheffield University Management School.
I am a visitor member of the Centre for Competition Policy at UEA, developing research on ‘Energy regulation and navigating the Net zero transition’.
People usually say I am determined and resilient. I’m grateful for that because I feel deeply committed to continuous learning and professional development. I liaise with a wide range of stakeholders and engage well with the audience when interacting with the public.
One example of this driven passion of mine is that in 2023, I founded SHAPE Circular Research Consultancy. The idea was to integrate social sciences, arts, humanities, people and economy aspects into STEM-related activities. I believe that this enables the industry, NGOs and Government to find good practices that will positively impact people and the environment—aiming to promote collaboration with stakeholders to achieve their STEM-based solutions better, evaluating the policies and regulatory systems that are (or are not) in place, and supporting a just transition of energy markets.
Outside of work, I value opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge with peers and aspiring industry professionals. If I had to sum up what I genuinely believe matters in people and organisations, I’d say, “Be accountable. Be mindful. Leave an honourable legacy.
Teaching
Subject Area:
OBHRM
Modules:
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT-44-708985-AF-2024/5
CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS IN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND
EMPLOYMENT LAW-44-600794-CF
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS AND LAW-44-609435-AF
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION (EDI) AND WELL BEING-44-708982-AF
MANAGING EMPLOYEE RELATIONS-44-702524-AF
PEOPLE DYNAMICS (CMDA)-44-507579-AF
PEOPLE DYNAMICS (CMDA)-44-507579-CF-2023/4
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW AND FUTURE PLANNING (SCL)-44-607665-GF
REFLECTIVE SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE (SCL)-44-507664-GF
RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT-44-609402-AF
STRATEGIC EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND LAW-44-708969-AF
THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL -44-409389-AF
Other activities
Visitor Member for the Centre for Competition Policy - CCP at East Anglia University.