Anna Stephens

Anna Stephens is a Lecturer in the Management Discipline Group at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School. Her research focuses on organizational learning, future of work dynamics, and managerialism's impact on professional fields. She holds a PhD from The University of Queensland (focusing on biotechnology industry clusters) and a Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology.

Her research explores pluralistic organizations’ learning mechanisms, implications of flexible work arrangements, and professional responses to managerialist pressures. Notable projects include evaluating Unilever New Zealand’s four-day workweek trial and studying ethical clearance processes in academic settings. She teaches human resource management and management courses, incorporating industry partnerships with firms like Commonwealth Bank and Yum! Brands.

Dr. Stephens’ work bridges academia and practice through collaborations with businesses, government, and community organizations. Her 2023 UTS Top Subject Award recognizes her industry-integrated teaching methods. Current research themes include organizational pluralism, sustainable work models, and professional identity evolution under managerialism.

Her funded projects include a UTS Business School grant exploring 'quiet vacationing' trends and a Unilever NZ contract evaluating four-day workweek outcomes. Publications appear in Journal of Management Studies and Human Relations, emphasizing ethnographic and qualitative methodologies.