Dr Paul Ellwood

Executive DBA Director of Studies

As Director of Studies for the Executive DBA, Dr Paul Ellwood manages the strategic and operational aspects of the programme. 

He is also a Senior Lecturer in Management with research interests in executive management education, online learning and technology innovation. 

Paul has taught on both MBA and DBA programmes at the University of Liverpool and Open University in the UK. 

Prior to his academic career, his early working life included Director-level positions within industrial companies. 

Dr Ali Rostron

Executive DBA Tutor

As an Executive DBA Tutor, Dr Ali Rostron teaches the ‘Working with Literature’ module, and runs specialist workshops on both academic literature and introduction to doctoral research during the programme residencies.

Ali is a Senior Lecturer in Management, with previous experience working for many years as a manager in both local government and the third sector.

She has taught on DBA and MSc programmes at the University of Liverpool, and her research focuses on manager identity, development and education.

Dr Leighann Spencer

Executive DBA Tutor

Dr Leighann Spencer is a Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the University of Liverpool Management School, with plenty of experience delivering research methods in MSc, MRes, PhD and MBA programmes.

As part of the Executive DBA team, Leighann leads the ‘Research Methods’ module, which she has carefully designed to equip DBA candidates with both an enhanced understanding of research methods, but also the practical skills needed to conduct rigorous workplace-based research.

Mrs Nicole Watts 

Executive DBA Admissions Administrator

Mrs Nicole Watts deals with admissions for the Executive DBA programme from enquiry through to offer-making stage.

As part of the Management School's Research Team, she has plenty of experience supporting post graduate resarch students, as she also deals with applications from UK and international PhD programmes.