Sudhir Venkatesh named Director of Research

One of the most renowned young Sociologists and researchers in the U.S, Prof. Sudhir Venkatesh, has been appointed to the new position of Director of Research at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership.

In his role, Sudhir will work on all activities that relate to research objectives of the Berlin School—from thesis direction to teaching Methods for Social Science Research to research activities outside the EMBA program. Sudhir has already advised EMBA participants on their research during the USA module in January, and the Berlin Schol is thrilled to add him to its roster of faculty.

Known for his unorthodox, "reality-based" methods of research in a field where on-the-ground-research methodoligies have falen out of vogue, Sudhir has made a name for himself with numerous books, articles and documentary film projects. His book "Gang Leader for a Day" was named a Best Book of 2008 by The Economist, and many readers of the best-seller "Freakonomics" were introduced to his extensive research into poverty and criminal subcultures that the authors featured.

Sudhir is currently a Professor of Sociology and Visiting Professor of Law at Columbia University in the City of New York. He holds a BA in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego; a Ph.D in Sociology from the University of Chicago; and was named a Junior Fellow in Harvard University's Society of Fellows.

“Sudhir is a fabulous addition to our academic team at the Berlin School;" says Prof. Doug Guthrie, Executive Academic Director of the Berlin School. "He brings a high academic profile and deep knowledge about a variety of methods of social science research as well as experience in producing work in a variety of media—from academic journals and books, to popular books, to documentaries. He is a perfect balance between the academic rigor we have built into the program and the practitioner-orientation of our student population. We are lucky to have him.”

Sudhir will help the Berlin School in its quest to become a leading global think-tank for creative leadership. Berlin School EMBA participants spend much of their energy in the program working on their masters' theses, and Sudhir will help them achieve high standards, ask the right questions, present their ideas in the best way, and hopefully help lead their industries to new ideas and solutions.

More information about Sudhir can be found on his website: http:/www.sudhirvenkatesh.org/