INTERVIEW WITH THE DEAN
CBS students benefit from a unique Nordic approach that emphasises collaboration, sustainability and a balance between business competitiveness and social compassion
As a female dean, how do you think the ‘leaky pipeline’ phenomenon affects other female academics in their careers and have you had to deal with any particular difficulties being a woman in a male-dominated sector? “The leaky pipeline remains a serious concern. It discourages women early in their careers and leaves too few role models for aspiring female academics. At CBS, we take this issue seriously and have implemented measures to address it. “Personally, I cannot recall facing direct discrimination because of my gender, but academia can be a demanding environment. Early in my career, I was fortunate to have a male professor who actively worked to change academic culture, including attitudes towards female scholars. “His mentorship helped me recognise that academia was a place for women too; that gave me the confidence to pursue my career. I also remember valuable advice from a female professor: “You have to choose your battles.” While that guidance has served me well, in retrospect, I sometimes wish I had taken on more challenges.” What’s your take on the impact of AI and other generative algorithms such as ChatGPT – how can faculty best adapt to maximise its potential for future business leaders? “At CBS, we have shifted from banning to embracing AI. It is permitted in all courses and exams unless specifically prohibited in the instructions. We have also developed an
AI strategy to ensure that all CBS graduates leave with the knowledge and skills to use AI responsibly. This connects to our Nordic Nine framework, which emphasises preparing graduates to navigate major societal transformations. “We have made considerable progress in integrating AI into teaching. Many faculty members actively use it in their courses; we have also launched several pilot projects to test new methods of teaching and assessment with AI. These initiatives aim not only to develop innovative approaches, but also to expand our collective knowledge and experience in using AI as a constructive and responsible educational tool.” With the ongoing geopolitical unrest around the world and socio-economic uncertainty, do you believe there is still room for optimism when it comes to the future of the business school sector? “Yes, I believe there is. In fact, business schools are more important now than ever. In the face of global challenges, they have a responsibility to contribute knowledge and insights through research and education, particularly on how to navigate uncertainty. “Our greatest societal impact is through our students, who will become future leaders. That is precisely why we developed the Nordic Nine at CBS: to ensure that our graduates are equipped to lead responsibly and contribute to sustainable, ethical and transformative change.”
Ambition • ISSUE 5 • 2025 15
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