I’m Sanaz.

I study people, organizations, and power to understand and address leadership and organizational challenges that are rooted in organizational culture—in particular, those marked by uncertainty and emotional stakes. Such challenges include inequality, organizational change, and technology adoption.

My research generates insights about how organizations can build cultures capable of learning, adapting, and shifting towards new ways of working.

I am an Associate Professor of Organisations and Innovation at University College London School of Management.

I’ve partnered with numerous organizations for research that has been published in academic journals, including Management Science, the American Journal of Sociology, and the Academy of Management Review, and has received awards from the Academy of Management and the American Sociological Association.

I primarily use field research methods—including computational, longitudinal-archival, and field experimental methods—to shed light on new ways of working that can enable both people and organizations to thrive.

I completed my PhD in the Management of Organizations Department at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Before my PhD, I worked in finance in the US and the UK. I also hold a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Learn more about my research, published papers, teaching, or download my CV.