LCF PhD Researcher Profile: Kiran Ali - smart digital strategies for fashion SME's adoption of immersive e-tailers
- Written byLCF Research
- Published date 25 January 2022
Continuing our PhD spotlight profile series, we caught up with this year's newly appointed PhD Student Representatives at London College of Fashion, UAL. Student Representatives advocate for the PhD student body and attend committee meetings with academic staff and research administrators to provide feedback on the PhD experience, which contributes to decisions related to procedures and policy.
First up is Kiran Ali, who is in her first year of part-time PhD research. Kiran began studying at UAL 10 years ago and since then has completed 2 postgraduate degrees at LCF’s Fashion Business School, where she received the ‘Rep of the Year Award’ in 2021.
Kiran has over a decade of experience in European and Middle Eastern fashion retail. Her area of research and specialisation is Fashion Technology, Strategic Marketing and Operations Management. Looking to the future, she wishes to pursue a career in academia.
What do you hope to gain from your role as a student representative?
I believe in giving back and helping others through my time, experience and skills. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. I have been in this role in my previous degrees and always enjoyed connecting with fellow students and staff as a rep. It has also helped me in personal and professional development. In the long term, I hope to pursue a career in academia and working as a research rep will help me improve my understanding of academic operations and procedures.
Describe a typical week for you.
A typical week for me is packed with lots of action and fun. While, juggling various hats each day at both professional, personal, social and charitable ends and finding the right balance.
What is your favourite quote?
I love poetry and literature and reading is a big part of my everyday life. Although I have many favourite quotes and poems, one quote that I consciously try to live by every day is: 'Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts' - Charles Dickens.
What TV series/book are your currently reading/watching?
Currently, I am watching 'This is us' and reading 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama.
What would be your dream research project?
My dream research project would be to conduct research for a reputed retail technology company.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
It's always You versus You. Nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams if you work hard and always give your best to everything you do in life.
Any recent research stories that have inspired you at LCF or elsewhere?
Recently, we had an opportunity to have a live session with Finola Kerrigan, Professor at Centre for Fashion Business and Innovation Research, as part of the LCF PhD Seminar Series. She talked about her research process, challenges and research outcomes about 'theorising brand longevity' and I found this research very interesting.