Biography
Dr Mahshid Baghestani is a Provost Fellow in Management at the School of Social Sciences, where she teaches management‑related courses at the undergraduate level. Her academic specialisations span Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, Organisational Psychology, and General Management. With a background in both management practice and behavioural research, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective to the classroom, emphasising people‑centred approaches to organisational effectiveness.
Dr Mahshid’s research interests lie in Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, Social and Organisational Psychology, Cross‑Cultural Management, and Leadership. She has presented her work at international academic conferences and contributed to publications exploring workplace behaviour, multicultural organisational contexts, and employee wellbeing. Her research often focuses on under‑researched regions, particularly the modern UAE, examining how cultural dynamics shape organisational experiences such as workplace bullying, acculturation, and employee behaviour. Through qualitative and cross‑cultural approaches, she aims to deepen understanding of how identity, social categorisation, and cultural norms influence organisational interactions. Her work contributes to ongoing conversations about creating healthier, more inclusive workplaces, especially in multicultural environments.
Academic leadership and affiliations
- Member, International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment (since 2018)
Qualifications
- PhD in Management | Organisational Behaviour / Social and Organisational Psychology – University of Wollongong, Australia (2019–2024)
- Master of Strategic Human Resource Management – University of Wollongong, Dubai (2011–2013)
- Bachelor of Business Administration – University of Wollongong, Dubai (2007–2011)
Publications
- Baghestani, M., Thirlwall, A., & Verenikina, I. (2024). Workplace bullying and insights from the modern UAE. Accepted at the 14th International Conference on Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Huddersfield, UK.
- Thirlwall, A., Kuzemski, D., Brunton, M., Baghestani, M., & Brownie, S. (2021). “Every Day is a Challenge”: Expatriate acculturation in the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Cross‑Cultural Management, 21(3), 340–451.
- Baghestani, M., Thirlwall, A., & Verenikina, I. (2021). The cultural beauty and challenges of studying an under‑researched part of the world: Insights from the modern UAE. Presented at the 12th International Conference on Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Dubai.
- Baghestani, M., & Thirlwall, A. (2018). Managing workplace bullying in multicultural contexts: The impact of social identity and social categorisation. Presented at the 11th International Conference on Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Bordeaux, France.
- Baghestani, M., & Thirlwall, A. (2016). Making a line in the sand: An exploration of perceptions and negative behaviours in a multicultural setting. Presented at the 10th International Conference on Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Thirlwall, A., Bocanet, A., & Baghestani, M. (2016). Managing employee behaviour for sustainable outcomes in the UAE: An HR perspective. Presented at the International Conference on Organization and Management, Abu Dhabi.