Professor Dr Ana Paula Fonseca

Enterprise Education Advisor

 

Dr Ana Paula Fonseca, BA, MBA, PFHEA, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Sustainability and Business Management at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Business School.

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Before embarking on her academic career, Ana worked as a Sales Manager at prominent organisations, including pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca and the financial sector. She also worked as a consultant for two small enterprises in Brasília and Porto Alegre, Brazil.

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Ana Paula earned her Doctorate in Philosophy in 2019 while working as an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). In 2018, she took on the role of Programme Leader for the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme at the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Dundee. In 2020, she progressed to Programme Leader in Strategic Project Management and Engineering Management for the MBA Programme at Edinburgh Napier University and Academic Representative for PRME. In 2022, she returned to the University of Dundee as the Programme Director for the Doctorate in Business Administration and Global MBA programmes. Subsequently, in 2024, she began her role as MSc Programme Director in Human Resources and developed courses, including Sustainable Business, from inception at Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. 

At Heriot-Watt, Ana is a member of the Centre for Applied Behavioural Science, the Centre for the Transformation of Work, and INet Zero+ Net Zero and Beyond. Externally, she is a member of the British Academy of Management (Sustainable and Responsible Business), the British Academy Early Career Research Network, the HE Academy, and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). 
 

Profile Summary

Areas of expertise

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System thinking, sustainability, enterprise in education, circular economy and qualitative coding analysis using Thematic Analysis and Content Analysis. Knowledge of project management and supply chain sustainability at practical and theoretical levels.

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Relationships with Industrial Partners

Regularly meet with partners to monitor students’ academic progress and work-based components. Establish rapport with employers to align the curriculum with their expectations. I have developed relationships with organisations to update the curriculum in enterprise, employability, digital literacy, and sustainability. Internationally, as the UK president of the Council of Supply Chain Management and Professionals (CSCMP), I provide coaching at both individual and organisational levels. For green job skills, I concentrate on personal coaching, whilst at the managerial level, I encourage innovation and sustainability in services and products. In 2023, I coached IBM, an EDGE – Supply Chain Innovation award finalist.

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External Examiner - Appointments and Experience

• DBA viva voce examination - external examiner - Aberystwyth University

• External Examiner for the new MBA Programme validation| University of the West of Scotland, 2023 – 2023 

• External Examiner for MBA – Top-programme | Plymouth Marjon University, 2022 – 2025

• External Examiner for MSc Business Management Programme |Royal Agricultural University, 2022 – 2025

• External panel judge member - Supply Chain Brain Innovation Award | Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals – EDGE Conferences, 2022 – 2025.

 

Professional Memberships

Staff Developers Working in Scottish Higher Education – SHED/Jiscmail: Member since 2021

Higher Education Academy: Fellow (FHEA) since Dec. 2019

Chartered Management Institute: Fellow (FCMI) since Oct. 2019

Council of Supply Chain Professionals (CSCMP): the UK President – Senior member since 2018.

The Operational Research Society (The OR Society): Associate since June 2020

Research interests

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Ana Paula's research interests encompass corporate social responsibility, business ethics, sustainability, sustainable development goals, leadership, project management, and enterprise education, all of which are viewed through systems thinking theory and action research.

 

Research Grants and Projects

Funded projects

Ana has also secured research grants as the co-investigator of two research projects funded by the Scottish Government (£70,000.00). Both projects have focused on transitioning to a net zero, accelerating action toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and upskilling the workforce.

 

Consultancy project/services

 

Client 1: Cardiff Metropolitan University - project title: Evaluation of the impact and efficacy of the Clean Growth Programme within the Cardiff Capital Region. Launched in January 2024, the programme sought to empower organisations across the region to take significant action towards circularity, sustainability, and Net Zero. Developed by Cardiff Metropolitan University, it aimed to enhance the understanding and implementation of circular economy (CE) practices among businesses and third-sector organisations. The overarching goal was to support these entities in reducing their carbon footprints through innovation and sustainable practices.

 

Client 2: Swansea University—project title: Evaluation of the impact and efficacy of the Clean Growth programme in the Swansea Bay Region. Launched in January 2024, the programme aimed to empower organisations across the region to take significant action towards circularity, sustainability, and Net Zero. Swansea University developed this programme to enhance the understanding and implementation of circular economy (CE) practices among businesses and third-sector organisations. The overarching goal was to support these entities in reducing their carbon footprints through innovation and sustainable practices.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):