Professor Shumaila Yousafzai is a globally recognized scholar, research leader, and institutional strategist with a distinguished record in inclusive entrepreneurship, gender studies, and innovation in emerging economies. As Full Professor of Entrepreneurship and Founding Director of the Nazarbayev University Research Centre for Entrepreneurship (NURCE), she has led a bold and impactful research agenda at the intersection of sustainability, social equity, and economic development in Central Asia and beyond.

With over 7,800 Google Scholar citations, an h-index of 26, and a sustained publication record in SCOPUS Q1, ABS 3 and 4*, and FT50 journals, Professor Yousafzai is a prolific contributor to knowledge creation and dissemination. Her Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 1.43 reflects that her research is cited 43% more than the global average for her field, highlighting its scholarly influence and international standing.

She has secured and led over USD 1.5 million in competitive research grants, including cross-border collaborations on ESG integration, circular economy, women’s entrepreneurship, and decolonial approaches to innovation. Her work consistently bridges rigorous academic inquiry with societal transformation, evidenced by her policy engagements with OECD, United Nations ESCAP, and the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Education.

A strong advocate of inclusive excellence, she has supervised and mentored over 15 PhD students, hosted postdoctoral researchers from 10+ countries, and served as external examiner for leading institutions across Europe, Asia, and Australia. She has co-edited over 15 scholarly books and journal special issues with global academic publishers, including Edward Elgar, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis, and is currently an Associate Editor of Gender, Work and Organization and serves on several international editorial boards.

Beyond research, Professor Yousafzai has held major academic leadership roles at Nazarbayev University and Cardiff University, including Academic Director of MBA and MEM Programs, Chair of PhD Committee, and Area Coordinator of Strategy & Management. She has received multiple awards, including NU’s Outstanding Scholar Award (2024) and a Medal of Contribution to Research from the Government of Kazakhstan for her research contributions.

With deep institutional knowledge and a global academic footprint, Professor Yousafzai brings visionary and inclusive leadership, advancing research excellence, mentoring scholars, and positioning Nazarbayev University among the world’s leading academic institutions.