Research Visits from Harvard to Cambridge: Pioneering Paths or Community Efforts?

Recently, a friend visited Harvard University and was surprised to see my face in the corridor of the Harvard Center for Government and International Studies. He snapped a photo (see below) and sent it to me.
A framed group picture hanging on the wall at the Harvard University.

This brought back memories of my research visit 12 months ago at the Harvard Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, sponsored by Professor Frank Dobbin. I’m thrilled to see my name mentioned in their 2023-2024 annual report.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to announce that from January to June 2026, I will be visiting the Cambridge Judge Business School. This opportunity, sponsored by Professor Jaideep Prabhu, will focus on decentralized trust research.

While some may see this as a testament to individual effort and achievement, I must emphasize that these opportunities would not have been possible without the support of our Oulu Business School (OBS) network. This is truly a community effort, highlighting that members of the OBS can achieve global engagement and foster collaborations with top schools worldwide. This achievement reflects not just on me but on the potential for all members of our community to pursue their research interests at leading institutions.

Research networks provide amazing opportunities

As part of the Scandinavian Consortium for Organizational Research (SCANCOR), OBS researchers have unique opportunities to undertake research visits at prestigious institutions like Stanford, Harvard, and Copenhagen Business School. Given SCANCOR’s focus on “Organizational Research,” many may wonder if this is the right fit, especially those from fields like marketing, management, international business, business analytics, accounting, finance, and economics.

Initially, I shared these doubts as a marketing researcher. However, stepping out of our comfort zones to explore interdisciplinary research can be incredibly rewarding. During my time at Harvard, I encountered scholars from diverse backgrounds—including finance, psychology, economics, sociology, public governance, and public policy. This experience broadened my perspective and could do the same for you.

This year, the University of Oulu, through the Eudaimonia Institute, established a new fellowship program with Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge. This initiative allows one researcher annually, employed within Eudaimonia's four faculties—Humanities, Education and Psychology, Business, and Cultural Geography in Natural Sciences—to spend six months at Cambridge.

This exciting development inspired me and boosted my confidence to approach professors at the University of Cambridge, enhancing my application for the fellowship program. Even if not selected for the Cambridge fellowship, opportunities to continue research visit through travel grants from various foundations, including Liikesivistysrahasto, remain available.

So, why not give it a try?

In a nutshell, I want to emphasize that the opportunities provided by our network at OBS are not merely pathways; they are gateways to the world's leading academic institutions. Every member of our community has the potential to embark on transformative journeys that extend well beyond the geographical confines of our campus. These research visits offer more than learning experiences—they are opportunities to make a global impact, forge international collaborations, and introduce pioneering ideas back home. Let us boldly seize these opportunities, driven by the strength of our network and united in our common quest for excellence. Together, we can achieve unprecedented heights and create a legacy of scholarly influence that resonates across the globe.

Author

DR. TECK MING (TERENCE) TAN D.Sc. (Economics & Business Administration), Docent