Sara Elhusseiny

PhD title: Rethinking Non-Executive Directors’ Busyness in the Boardroom

Tell us about your research.

I am studying non-executive directors’ (NEDs) busyness in the UK context with a particular focus on their internal busyness aspects in terms of their committee seats, senior independent positions, and chairman positions on boards and committees. The existing literature focuses on the number of external appointments held by NEDs as the main proxy measure for NEDs’ busyness, overlooking their internal duties and their increasing responsibilities on sub-committees and leadership positions (ie Chairmanship or Senior Independent Position).

Nevertheless, NEDs' internal busyness, represented by their collective internal seats among their external directorships and the increased workload associated with them, suggests a higher potential for busyness and overcommitment than external busyness. Hence, my research's broader framework is expected to provide new insights into the board busyness-firm governance nexus by utilising a more comprehensive busyness measure and exploring uncharted contextual factors in the busyness literature, such as female board busyness, audit committees’ busyness, and audit committee female busyness.

What inspired you to continue onto further study?

I have always aspired to be an accounting professor, and to achieve that, I had to continue my studies up to the PhD level to be qualified for the job back home (Cairo, Egypt) or elsewhere. Over the past four years, I have developed an immense passion for research and the whole academic realm. It helps us make sense of the world or, more specifically, of corporate decisions and regulations in the business field.

What impact do you hope your research makes?

I hope my research helps policymakers and investors with their regulation setting and decision-making processes. I also hope that it emanates further discussion in the literature, encouraging ongoing debate and examination of NEDs’ collective busyness from different perspectives.

What did you do before your PhD?

I worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) for two years and then as a graduate TA for another two years at my undergraduate university, the American University in Cairo (AUC). In 2020, I completed my MSc in Accounting, Organisations, and Institutions from the London School of Economics. Following this, I joined PwC's Cairo office for six months, and this is when I realised that corporate life is not for me; academia and teaching are my true passions!

Why did you decide to come to Loughborough University?

As a top ranked university in the UK, Loughborough topped the list of my applications. The decisive factor for me was my interview with my primary supervisor, who understood and supported me from the start. So, basically, I followed the supervisor! Additionally, the University is renowned for its large research community with an impressive range of academics and researchers.

Has your research been published? If so, how do you feel this will help you as an early career researcher?

Not yet, but I am hopeful for it with the help of my primary supervisor!

How are you funding your PhD?

I am self-funded.

What are some of the exciting/different things you can do with your research/whilst carrying out research?

The possibility of sharing knowledge in internal seminars or external conferences across the UK or internationally. Receiving feedback from external sources can be very beneficial, as it provides new perspectives. It is also a great way to connect and network with fellow academics and colleagues in the field by seeking their advice and feedback.

Additionally, I was an R1 representative and a member of the Business School conference committee during my first year, and I volunteered to continue in these roles for my second year as well. These roles help add to one’s development and social skills in terms of communication, time management, organisation and presentation skills. It also gives a sense of achievement when months of planning events come to fruition.

What are your plans for the future?

In the future, I aspire to be an accounting professor. However, I have an equal, if not greater, inclination to teaching than purely researching, which is what the majority of academics focus on at the moment. I am also highly passionate about my field of study and am excited about the possibility of contributing to it through ongoing research and teaching. There is still so much to be examined, and I want to be part of this process.

How do you think completing your research at Loughborough will help you achieve these ambitions?

To become an academic or researcher, I needed to advance my education to the PhD level, which I have come to dearly love and develop a passion for since my first interview at Loughborough University. Halfway through this journey, I believe that the mind-stimulating discussions and challenging questions I experience in every supervisory meeting have been my main guide on this exploratory journey. Additionally, the support and infinite pool of resources provided by various university agents, including the Doctoral College, Students' Union and the Business School, have been invaluable. The vibrant research community at Loughborough University perfectly aligns with my ambitious research goals.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of undertaking a PhD at Loughborough?

I would advise prospective PhD students to make the most of the community and resources provided by different university departments, not just the Business School. I would also highly encourage them to join the PhD office in the Business School building, as it has been my primary learning place. We learn a lot more from each other in the office than from our supervisors, or from struggling alone in silence. I have learned this way and have seen many others experience the same; there will always be someone who has prior experience with what you might be struggling with and can help you figure it out, rather than wasting two months' time on something that can be resolved in an hour or less. In a nutshell, be proactive; the PhD journey can be quite lonely. It's unlike undergraduate or taught postgraduate programmes, as each candidate is working on a very niche topic, so make the most of the community to feel more supported! Make the most of every opportunity in every meeting, presentation or conference. Feel free to make mistakes; you have to make them to develop as a researcher!

Most importantly, I would advise incoming doctoral researchers to choose their supervisors wisely, as the student-supervisor relationship is a make-or-break deal. Also make sure that you have the passion, determination, dedication and stamina for such a long commitment and detailed process. You must know what you are signing up for as you embark on a self-exploratory journey. Doing a PhD is definitely a challenging yet very rewarding experience, and I would recommend it and encourage anyone to go for it. I would do it all over again and again!

What is your favourite thing about being a Loughborough student?

The environment is peaceful and pleasant; it is friendly and helpful. Whether it’s academics or fellow PhD students, someone will always be there to guide or help when needed. There are various opportunities to engage in volunteering or skill-developing activities (even outside research/academia), such as being on the conference organising committee, or being a doctoral representative. I also enjoy the supportive research community we experience in seminars or training workshops alongside academics and facilitators. On a social level, we often organise socials every weekend. Away days from the office include hikes, strawberry picking, theatre visits, exploring nearby cities and countless brunches.