Research title: Crossing Frontiers: The Construction of Boundaries Between Impact Investing and Philanthropy

Year of study: 2023, Full-Time

Supervisors: Dr Arun Kumar, Dr Sam van Elk and Dr Clare J FitzGerald

Elena Christodoulou is a PhD Student in Public Services Management & Organisation at King's Business School. 

Elena’s doctoral research examines the boundaries of financial instruments for development. Her work draws on funding instruments such as philanthropy and impact investing and explores how boundaries are rationalised by professionals in this space. To address this question, her doctoral study will draw on management and organisation theory, sociology, and political economy. Elena is based in the Department of Public Services Management and Organisation.

Before joining the PhD programme, Elena worked as a Project Manager for three years in the NGO and higher education sectors. She was the project manager of the YUFERING project (grant agreement number: 101016967) and supported or led innovation and entrepreneurship activities in more than 10 EU-funded projects (Horizon2020, Erasmus+, EIT HEI Initiative).

She has also been a Visiting Associate at the Cambridge Judge Business School leading a study on impact investing and philanthropy in Nigeria, focusing on the experiences of investees. This study has resulted in an industry report titled 'When Two Rivers Cross: Impact Investing and Philanthropy in Nigeria' and a book chapter is forthcoming. She has also collected data for the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy report titled ‘Philanthropy and COVID-19: Is the North-South Power Balance Finally Shifting?’.

Elena holds a BSc in Business Administration (University of Cyprus) and an MPhil in Innovation, Strategy, and Organisation (University of Cambridge). She is currently a recipient of a King’s Business School Doctoral Research Studentship.