About
Professor Paula Jarzabkowski
I am a Professor of Strategic Management at The University of Queensland and City St George’s, University of London. I am a global expert in public-private mechanisms, globally, to address the disaster insurance protection gap and government programs to increase homeowner and community disaster resilience.
As climate-driven weather events create damage and loss of life, livelihood and property around the world, fewer people can rely on insurance to rebuild after disaster, falling into poverty and exacerbating inequality and hardship.
Industry Research That Guides Real Solutions
My research aims to address this problem in two ways.
First, I lead international teams in examining how we can bridge the financial gap in disaster recovery by transforming the insurance market into a partner in adapting to climate change, including how innovations in disaster risk financing and risk pooling can support climate adaptation and response.
Second, I lead interdisciplinary teams in studying how to bridge the physical gap in disaster risk mitigation, by developing and implementing effective policies for relocating people away from disaster or making their housing disaster resilient.
Society is at a tipping in point in terms of the devastating damage and losses arising from climate change and growing urbanization in climate-exposed areas. I believe strongly that everyone deserves to be protected, and supported to recover, from the ensuring disasters.
My research is, therefore, underpinned by the strongest scientific principles, and designed to have practical and policy impact. To broaden the impact and reach of my research, I run workshops, release scientific reports in the public domain, and make keynote speeches at industry and policy events.
Expertise, Collaborations, Leadership
I work collaboratively with policymakers, insurance and reinsurance companies, development and donor organizations, and government departments around the world, in pursuing my agenda for positive societal transformation. This website provides information on projects I have done, funded by industry and government bodies, financial organizations, scientific research councils, and charitable trusts.
My expertise is widely recognised as a member of the OECD High-Level Advisory Board for the Financial Management of Catastrophic Risks; the Lloyd’s of London Futureset Technical Advisory Group; and the Pool Reinsurance Company Advisory Council.
If you would like to know more, please follow me on LinkedIn, sign up for updates from my website, and contact me if you have a specific request.
Research
My research has been funded by the Australian Research Council, the Bank of England, the British Academy, the Economic & Social Research Council, the European Commission, the Insurance Intellectual Capital Initiative, the Leverhulme Trust, the Lloyd’s Tercentenary Foundation, Natural Hazards Research Australia, and the Swiss Prevention Foundation, as well as various industry sponsorships. You can find out more about my work and download some of my research on this website.
Awards & Recognition
Professor Jarzabkowski has had several prestigious awards and fellowships throughout her career:
- Fellow, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (lifelong award – 2024)
- Joanne Martin Trailblazer Award (lifetime achievement award), Academy of Management (2024)
- Runner-up, European Group for Organization Studies Book Award (2024)
- Best Paper Award, Organization and the Natural Environment, Academy of Management (2024)
- Business Economics & Law Faculty, UQ, Award for Excellence in Research – Engagement and Impact (2024)
- Best Paper Award, Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers. (2022)
- Best Paper Award, Strategy-as-Practice, Academy of Management. (2021)
- Outstanding Reviewer Award, Academy of Management Review. (2021)
- Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowship for research on “A Paradox Lens on Grand Challenges: Addressing the Protection Gap for Disasters”. (2019 – 2021)
- Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowship for research on “A Paradox Lens on Grand Challenges: Addressing the Protection Gap for Disasters”. (2019 – 2021)
- Outstanding Reviewer Award, Academy of Management Conference. (2019)
- Best Paper award in Strategic Organization for best paper published in last 5 years. (2018)
- Best Paper award, Strategy-as-Practice, Academy of Management. (2017)
- European Commission Marie Curie International Fellowship for research into ‘Interdisciplinary advances on behavioural theories of financial risk-taking’. (2012 – 2015)
- Economic & Social Research Council Outstanding Impact on Business Prize. (2013)
- Insurance Intellectual Capital Initiative/Economic & Social Research Council Fellowship for research into “Changing practices of trading risks in the global reinsurance industry”. (2009-2011)
- Advanced Institute of Management/ Economic & Social Research Council Ghoshal Fellowship for research into “Promising Strategizing Practices: Strategy in Pluralistic Contexts”. (2006)
- Insurance Intellectual Capital Initiative/Economic & Social Research Council Fellowship for research into “Changing practices of trading risks in the global reinsurance industry”. (2009-2011)
- Advanced Institute of Management/ Economic & Social Research Council Ghoshal Fellowship for research into “Promising Strategizing Practices: Strategy in Pluralistic Contexts”. (2006)
Testimonials
Mission statement
To bridge the growing financial protection gap from catastrophic disasters by fostering innovative solutions that enhance individual and community resilience and promote sustainable economic development in the face of climate change.
Vision statement
Values
Collaboration
Working together with governments, reinsurance markets, development banks, donors, and humanitarian organizations to address the global challenge of climate-related risks.
Innovation
Exploring and implementing innovative approaches to financial protection that adapt to evolving threats and leverage emerging technologies.
Impact
Driving tangible and measurable outcomes that improve the lives of people and communities affected by disasters.
Evidence-Based Approach
Grounding research and solutions in rigorous scientific inquiry to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
Ethics
Adhering to the highest ethical standards in research, teaching, and engagement with stakeholders.
Sustainability
Promoting long-term solutions that contribute to a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.
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