UDC’s annual Research Week, held March 31-April 4, spotlights groundbreaking projects that speak to real-world challenges. This year, the School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA) returns with a series of innovative presentations on artificial intelligence (AI), entrepreneurship, social impact and more.
As the business world evolves, SBPA faculty and students are at the forefront, leading conversations about how technology shapes our future.
“At the School of Business and Public Administration, we tap into students’ curiosity to explore and answer questions that excite them—not just to learn but to discover,” says Dean Mohamad Sepehri. “That excitement opens their minds, reinforces critical thinking and supports lifelong learning.”
Showcasing Cutting-Edge Research
Research Week provides SBPA a powerful platform to demonstrate its contributions to academia, industry practices and public policy. Presentations this year will include cutting-edge investigations into current applications for AI, supply chain management and customer service, and emphasize human-centered technological solutions.
“Research Week gives our students more than just a chance to present their work—it builds their confidence,” notes Professor Amit Arora. “They develop critical thinking skills, gain exposure to professional networks, and realize the power their ideas have to create meaningful change.”
A Legacy of Excellence in Business Education
SBPA proudly stands among the elite 6% of business schools in the world to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This distinction highlights the school's commitment to academic excellence and impactful research. With over 95% of SBPA’s full-time faculty classified as Scholarly Academic-qualified by AACSB standards, the school continues its legacy of rigorous research with tangible industry and societal impacts.
“Our students’ work never ceases to amaze me,” says Sepehri. “They don’t just critique problems—they create solutions.”
Benefiting the Community and Beyond
This year’s theme, The Promise of Research at UDC, aligns with SBPA’s long-standing commitment to do more than study, but also to understand how business and technology intersect with individual and community needs.
SBPA’s Social Robotics Lab, as an example, collaborates closely with D.C. Public Schools to support students on the autism spectrum in practicing social-emotional and practical language skills. Using AI-driven role-playing scenarios, this innovative project not only advances scholarship but also aligns closely with UDC’s broader mission of community engagement and social impact.
Insights from SBPA’s projects offer practical solutions addressing societal challenges. Whether developing empathetic AI technologies, improving agriculture supply chains or exploring entrepreneurial models for economic growth, SBPA’s research influences business practices and public administration strategies.
Ultimately, SBPA’s involvement in Research Week exemplifies UDC’s dedication to rigorous research that delivers meaningful societal benefits.
“We’re demonstrating that we’re not just a teaching institution,” Sepehri says. “We’re producing research that matters.”