Dr Emma Russell

Today, 31 March 2025, AACSB International (AACSB)—the world’s largest business education alliance—announced the University of Sussex Business School is among 26 business schools featured in its Innovations That Inspire member spotlight programme.

This annual programme recognises institutions from around the world that serve as champions of change in business education. In 2025, the spotlight is on schools that are innovating through partnerships, forging collaborative solutions that elevate communities and businesses, shape market-responsive curricula, implement cutting-edge learning methods, and develop impactful leaders. These institutions are engaging with organizations locally and globally, from across sectors, to address complex challenges.  

Through agiLab, a programme led by Dr Emma Russell and her research team at the Business School, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) managers are learning from expert academics as well as a wide variety of frontline healthcare staff about how to design and deliver customised and responsive working arrangements that better meet service needs and improve access to good work.

“This year’s Innovations That Inspire honourees exemplify the power of collaboration between business and higher education in driving positive change,” said Lily Bi, AACSB president and CEO. “University of Sussex Business School's dedication to industry-centred education showcases how business schools are fostering innovation and ensuring graduates enter the workforce ready to make an immediate impact.”

On receiving the award, Dr Russell said: “I am delighted our work with the NHS has been recognised by this prestigious AACSB programme. The agiLab partnership has demonstrated that agile working in the NHS can benefit staff and improve service delivery, especially when employers can go beyond simple work-from-home solutions. By exploring the needs of different groups of staff at different levels in the NHS, agiLab has given workers a voice and enabled easier access to good work in the NHS for previously marginalised groups. “

Since its launch in 2016, the Innovations That Inspire program has recognized 266 business school initiatives for their trailblazing contributions to education, research, societal impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Support for the 2025 Innovations That Inspire initiative is provided by the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.

View all Innovations That Inspire highlights at aacsb.edu/innovations-that-inspire.