Dr Despoina Filiou

Professional biography

I am a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Strategy and joined the Open University in April 2020 having previously been at Manchester Metropolitan University as a Senior Lecturer and at Manchester School of Management (UMIST), The University of Manchester as an Associate Lecturer. 

I hold a PhD in Management Science and a MSc in Business Economics from The University of Manchester (Alliance Manchester Business School) and an Integrated Masters in Agricultural Science and Economics from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Inspired by the life-long learning values of The Open University, I recently completed an MSc in Psychology (Conversion) with Distinction. 

Research interests

I am currently interested in perceptions around the use of AI and its impact on the innovation process, as well as in the broader organisational and societal implications.

My research so far has largely focused on knowledge sourcing and exploitation across organisational boundaries and firm innovation, strategic alliances, innovation collaboration, open innovation and the role of digital technologies in innovation.  I represent FBL to the The Open University's Open Research Group.

I have published in peer reviewed journals of international standing such as World Development, Long Range Planning, R&D Management, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Industry and Innovation.

I have a consistent record of securing funding for research, knowledge exchange and research capacity building, as documented through latest contributions to Horizon Europe funded projects. First on digitalisation of traditional sectors, and second, on the role of AI in online discourse, with a practitioner handbook for public engagement bringing insights from open innovation and citizen science. In the past I have worked on projects in public-private innovation networks in services and developing open access entrepreneurial education material.

I supervise PhD students in innovation and strategy, have led doctoral candidates to successful completion and have acted as both an external and internal examiner on numerous occasions.

Teaching interests

I am currently working on developing the new MBA programme, while in the past I’ve led on level 6 Strategic Management (B302) module and contributed to the MBA module Effective Strategic Management in Business and the Public Sector (B873).

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and hold a Post Graduate Certificate in Education -Academic Practice, with extensive experience in programme management and external examination in UK HEs and international partnerships.

Impact and engagement

I hold appointments at the Editorial Review Boards of the R&D Management journal and a membership at the ESRC Peer Review College.

I have served as a full member of the Scientific Committee of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (2018-2020).  In the past, I’ve reviewed grants for the British Council, Newton Fund and served as a member of the editorial review board of Transnational Corporations Journal (UNCTAD).