Dr Robin Strueber

Robin is a Lecturer in Social Entrepreneurship in the Department for Public Leadership and Enterprise. He joined the Open University in 2026. Prior to this he was completing his PhD at the University of Birmingham (2022-2026) with the Department of Strategy & International Business in conjunction with the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC). His work is focussed on leadership and entrepreneurship in sustainable food systems including current projects in the plnat-based category and sustainable seaweed ventures. Robin holds a BSc, MSc and MA from the University of Birmingham including the BBS scholarship for his MSc and dissertation prize for his work on s-commerce entrepreneurs during his BSc. 

Research interests

Robin's current research interests focus on sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in the area of food systems transformations. His recent research includes an exploration of leadership in the plant-based sector and into the internationalisation of seaweed ventures. Current research sites include the UK, the Netherlands and Germany. Robin enjoys applying micro-foundational perspectives and qualitative research approaches to understand the effect of leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation on multi-level challenges such as climate change employing a range of theoretical frameworks including the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), Institutional Logics (IL) and leadership theories. 

Robin further has a longstanding interest in developing contemporary research methodologies capable of capturing rapidly unfolding developments in the areas of international business and sustainability using new approaches to secondary data analysis. 

Teaching interests

Robin has a wide-range of teaching interests with previous experience teaching across responsible business, marketing strategy, globalisation of business and entrepreneurship. His current focus is on supporting the development of curricula focussed on social entrepreneurship, emphasising action-oriented learning outcomes. He is currently working towards his Principles of Responsible Business Educators (PRME) credentials and his Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). 

Impact and engagement

Robin is interested in collaborations with a wide range of policy makers and particularly SMEs interested in managing sustainable transitions. He has recently moved into the position of track-chair for the British Academy of Management Sustainable & Responsible Business SIG from his previous position as a doctoral representative. He is part of the Vegan Society research network and the Open University's Centre for Social and Sustainable Enterprise (CSSE).