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Sarah Otner
Associate Professor of Innovation Management | PhD FHEA CMBE AcadMCIPD FRSA
Sarah Otner is an Associate Professor of Innovation Management at the University of Sussex Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU).25 She is a behavioral scientist with a focus on how individuals gain and maintain social status, as well as how they judge deservingness in allocating social status to others.1
Research Interests and Expertise
Dr. Otner's principal research interests combine:
- Organization theory
- Strategy
- Networks
- Innovation
She approaches these topics using methods from economic sociology, social psychology, and economics.1 Her research specifically focuses on:
- Awards and prizes
- Design and mechanisms of competitions
- Peer effects among elites
- Invisible status effects during blinded judging
- Innovation tournaments and Grand Challenge prizes1
Academic Background and Affiliations
Dr. Otner holds several academic qualifications and professional memberships:
- PhD
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CMBE AcadMCIPD)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)2
Teaching and Leadership
Sarah Otner teaches courses at various levels, from undergraduate to Executive MBA, covering subjects such as:
- Organizational behavior
- Organization theory
- Negotiations
- Networks
- Innovation
- Leadership1
She has also served as a Research Mentor and Staff Development Lead.3
Current Projects and Initiatives
Dr. Otner is currently involved in several ongoing projects, including:
- Prize scarcity
- Prize sharing
- Establishment of new prizes
- Prize refusals1
She is also a British Academy Innovation Fellow4 and is associated with the Innovation Caucus.6
In summary, Sarah Otner is a multifaceted academic with a strong focus on innovation management, social status dynamics, and the impact of awards and prizes in organizational settings.
