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Paolo Aversa

Professor Paolo Aversa

Professor of Strategy

Research interests

  • Strategy, International Management and Entrepreneurship

Biography

Paolo Aversa is Professor of Strategy at King’s Business School, King’s College London; Adjunct Professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and the Jonas Persson Visiting Professor at Stockholm School of Economics, Center for Sports and Business. He has also held several other visiting and honorary affiliations in various institutions including UCL School of Management, ESADE, University of Trento, Bologna Business School, Ca’ Foscari Venice, Politecnico di Bari, and CUOA Business School.

He serves as an Associate Editor at the Journal of Management Studies, on the editorial board of Organization Science and Academy of Management Discoveries, for which he is also a guest editor. He is the Director of Communications and an appointed officer of the Strategic Management (STR) Division, and Elected Representative at Large of the Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) Division, of the Academy of Management. He is a Senior Fellow of Higher Education.

His research focuses on innovation and the evolution of industries and ecosystems. His investigations concentrate on technology-intensive settings to explore radical innovations, digital transformation and business models. He is globally considered one of the leading academic experts in the motorsport and Formula 1 industry.

His work is published in leading academic journals such as the Academy of Management Journal, Organization Science, Journal of Management, Research Policy, Journal of Management Studies, and practice-oriented outlets such as Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review.

His research often features in international media, including the Financial Times, New York Times, BBC, Sky, CNBC, Forbes, Reuters, Sunday Times, The Times, The Telegraph, and in most sport-related outlets.

Paolo has received numerous awards for his research, teaching, and impact. He was listed among the ‘World's Best 40 under 40 Professors’ (Poets & Quants) and received the ‘Talented Young Italians Award for Research and Innovation’ from the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Embassy in London.

As a former winner of a Marie-Curie Individual Fellowship, he was selected as a runner-up for the prestigious ‘EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Communicating Science Prize’, which awards projects with the widest coverage in mainstream media and the most innovative approach to dissemination. The Presidency of Italy also awarded him a Knighthood for his professional achievements and his contribution to the country.

He collaborates with several universities and often presents his work and industry analyses at international conferences, firms, and institutions – including the House of Commons, United Nations, and the European Union. He serves as a Non-Executive Director at Zonin1821 and on the advisory board of several companies and industry bodies.

Before joining King’s College London, Paolo worked at Bayes Business School – City, University of London, where he also served as director of the Full Time MBA. Formerly, he worked as a Post-Doc at the Management Department of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he also held a visiting scholar position at the Sol C Snider Entrepreneurial Center. He obtained his PhD from the University of Bologna, Italy.

Read Paolo Aversa's CV

Professor Aversa is currently accepting new PhD students.

    Research

    The csb website thumbnail
    Centre for Sustainable Business

    Business, society and environment in the pursuit of a sustainable future

    News

    A tale of two sports: what skiing and Formula One get right, and wrong, on climate change

    Artificial snow may be masking long-term risks in skiing, while Formula One could help drive low-carbon innovation beyond the track.

    Black and White Checkered Flag atop Rocky Peak

    COMMENT: Formula 1's 2026 rules: new sustainability rules are changing the way races are won

    Under one of the most significant rule changes in the sport’s history, roughly half of a Formula 1 car’s output now comes from its electric motor.

    Sleek Red Racing Car on Track in Daylight

    Experts warn of mounting pressures on global ski industry

    With global attention on Italy for the Winter Olympics, new research highlights how environmental change and economic pressures are reshaping the future of...

    Snow cannon blows out artificial snow at a ski resort with people skiing in the background

    COMMENT: Will artificial snow save the ski industry in the long run – or curse it?

    For decades, skiing has been marketed as one of the most dependable winter holidays you can book. But across Europe, that assumption no longer holds.

    man athlete alpine skier silhouette

    King's Business School's Executive MBA included in the Corporate Knights 'Better World' MBA ranking

    Sustainable business magazine Corporate Knights has rated the King’s Business School Executive MBA as among the world’s top 50 for its sustainability focus....

    The North entrance of Bush House, an impressive building with students coming in and out

    Empowering sustainability research: Meet the winners of the 2024 CSB Seed Fund

    The Centre for Sustainable Business (CSB) is delighted to announce the winners of its inaugural Seed Fund, designed to nurture early-stage research.

    sustainability-eco-lightbulb-promo

    In Conversation with Professor Prashant Jha

    Professor Prashant Jha is the Professor of MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Head of Affordable Medical Technologies at King’s, and has designed...

    prashant jha main image

    Order of the Star of Italy Knighthood for Innovation and Formula One expert

    Paolo Aversa, Professor of Strategy has been recognised for his academic achievements and contribution to Italy.

    Paolo Aversa, stands in front of the Business School's main building, holding his Star of Italy medal in a case

    COMMENT: Women in F1 - how the sport is trying to redress its longstanding lack of support for female drivers and staff

    In the high-speed world of Formula One, women’s presence has been increasing at a snail’s pace, both on and off the track.

    Formula 1

    Events

    14May

    Executive Masterclass - Leading in Turbulent Environments, Lessons from F1

    Join our upcoming executive education masterclass with Prof. Paolo Aversa

    Please note: this event has passed.

      Research

      The csb website thumbnail
      Centre for Sustainable Business

      Business, society and environment in the pursuit of a sustainable future

      News

      A tale of two sports: what skiing and Formula One get right, and wrong, on climate change

      Artificial snow may be masking long-term risks in skiing, while Formula One could help drive low-carbon innovation beyond the track.

      Black and White Checkered Flag atop Rocky Peak

      COMMENT: Formula 1's 2026 rules: new sustainability rules are changing the way races are won

      Under one of the most significant rule changes in the sport’s history, roughly half of a Formula 1 car’s output now comes from its electric motor.

      Sleek Red Racing Car on Track in Daylight

      Experts warn of mounting pressures on global ski industry

      With global attention on Italy for the Winter Olympics, new research highlights how environmental change and economic pressures are reshaping the future of...

      Snow cannon blows out artificial snow at a ski resort with people skiing in the background

      COMMENT: Will artificial snow save the ski industry in the long run – or curse it?

      For decades, skiing has been marketed as one of the most dependable winter holidays you can book. But across Europe, that assumption no longer holds.

      man athlete alpine skier silhouette

      King's Business School's Executive MBA included in the Corporate Knights 'Better World' MBA ranking

      Sustainable business magazine Corporate Knights has rated the King’s Business School Executive MBA as among the world’s top 50 for its sustainability focus....

      The North entrance of Bush House, an impressive building with students coming in and out

      Empowering sustainability research: Meet the winners of the 2024 CSB Seed Fund

      The Centre for Sustainable Business (CSB) is delighted to announce the winners of its inaugural Seed Fund, designed to nurture early-stage research.

      sustainability-eco-lightbulb-promo

      In Conversation with Professor Prashant Jha

      Professor Prashant Jha is the Professor of MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Head of Affordable Medical Technologies at King’s, and has designed...

      prashant jha main image

      Order of the Star of Italy Knighthood for Innovation and Formula One expert

      Paolo Aversa, Professor of Strategy has been recognised for his academic achievements and contribution to Italy.

      Paolo Aversa, stands in front of the Business School's main building, holding his Star of Italy medal in a case

      COMMENT: Women in F1 - how the sport is trying to redress its longstanding lack of support for female drivers and staff

      In the high-speed world of Formula One, women’s presence has been increasing at a snail’s pace, both on and off the track.

      Formula 1

      Events

      14May

      Executive Masterclass - Leading in Turbulent Environments, Lessons from F1

      Join our upcoming executive education masterclass with Prof. Paolo Aversa

      Please note: this event has passed.