Mirjam Werner

Mirjam Werner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business-Society Management at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). Her research focuses on how individuals and organizations challenge societal norms to promote equity and sustainability, particularly through social entrepreneurship and activism.

She holds an MSc in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Amsterdam and a PhD in Political and Social Science from the University of Leeds. Her methodological expertise lies in ethnographic and qualitative research, complemented by theoretical and conceptual development.

Her research interests include framing and sensemaking, taboo and stigma (especially around menstruation), social entrepreneurship, organizational identity, emotions in organizations, and leadership loneliness. She has conducted field studies on social enterprises like Yoni and Fairphone, as well as citizen initiatives in energy and healthcare.

The most recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining insights from management, sociology, gender studies, and sustainability science. Her work explores how marginalized groups break taboos, how hybrid identities form in social enterprises, and how certification systems assess sustainability impact.

Her research has been published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Management Studies, Leadership Quarterly, and Business and Society. She has also contributed to public discourse through media engagement, including press coverage and policy references related to sustainable business cases.

• Research on menstrual taboo and social entrepreneurship
• Studies on leadership loneliness and emotional challenges in management
• Critical reviews of sustainability certification standards
• Exploration of hybrid identities in social enterprises
• Analysis of citizen-led initiatives in energy and health sectors

Mirjam Werner actively supervises research and contributes to academic and societal debates on sustainability, equity, and organizational change. She has collaborated widely with scholars across disciplines and institutions. Her work aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to gender equality, sustainable communities, and responsible consumption.