Paula Jarzabkowski

Professor Paula Jarzabkowski is a globally recognized academic in strategy and risk management at the University of Queensland's School of Business, leading the Practice and Process Studies Research Hub. Her work focuses on addressing the insurance protection gap exacerbated by climate change, terrorism risks, and systemic financial vulnerabilities. She is an expert in public-private mechanisms for disaster resilience and has advised organizations like the OECD and Pool Reinsurance Company UK.

• Affiliations:
  • Professor in Strategy, School of Business, The University of Queensland
  • Lead, Practice and Process Studies Research Hub
  • Fellow of the Academy of Management and British Academy
  • Member, OECD High Level Advisory Board for Catastrophic Risk Management

Her research explores how organizations navigate systemic risks such as climate-driven disasters and terrorism. Key themes include financial resilience, insurance market dynamics, and innovative risk-sharing frameworks. Her work bridges strategy-as-practice theory with real-world applications in disaster financing and policy.

Recent publications emphasize advancing risk studies, strategy-as-practice methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to grand challenges like climate adaptation. Collaborations with global institutions highlight her impact on policy and practice.

• Awards:
  • Fellow of the Academy of Management
  • Fellow of the British Academy
• Advisory Roles:
  • Board Member, OECD High Level Advisory Board
  • Co-Chair, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office’s Centre for Global Disaster Protection

Her work on Australia’s Cyclone Reinsurance Pool and Switzerland’s disaster insurance systems exemplifies applied research addressing climate and societal risks. Current projects include reimagining disaster insurance frameworks and studying the intersection of terrorism risks and societal resilience.