Amanda Calderwood, (PhD Researcher)

Amanda Calderwood is a PhD Researcher at Ulster University Business School, where she is advancing research in business scaling as part of the Atlantic Futures project. Her work seeks to deepen understanding of how businesses expand effectively and sustainably, with a particular focus on the role of management and leadership in driving organisational success.

Her research interests centre on the people and systems behind business growth, examining how capable management teams and strong organisational cultures contribute to resilience and long-term performance. Amanda is also committed to exploring the challenges faced by businesses in peripheral and rural regions, where limited access to resources, infrastructure, and markets can constrain growth. Her work aims to inform strategies that promote inclusive and regionally balanced economic development.

Prior to undertaking her PhD, Amanda worked for over 15 years in marketing, supporting several high-growth and scaling firms across Northern Ireland. This experience shaped her interest in understanding the factors that enable firms to grow and thrive. She brings a practical perspective to her academic work, bridging the gap between research and its real-world applications.

Research Interests
Business Scaling and Growth • Strategic Management • Organisational and Leadership Capability • Rural and Peripheral Business Development • Research with Practical Application