We recently had the privilege of hosting an inspiring Sharing Knowledge Session with Viktoria Mauz, DPhil, a UIBS Alumna who has successfully navigated the transition from the automotive industry to leading global digital transformation at Nokia.

Viktoria’s journey is a powerful example of how academic rigor meets real-world impact. Even with an impressive career at brands like AUDI AG and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. , she recognized the need to master the complexities of the digital era. This led her to pursue her DPhil at UIBS—a journey she describes not just as an academic milestone, but as a total shift in mindset.

Key takeaways from the Session:

• Becoming an independent expert: A DPhil is about more than just a title; it’s about the methodology of discovery. As Viktoria shared: “But it really taught me how I can approach a topic I don’t know nothing about, but I can become an expert on my own.”
• The powerhouse of digital transformation: Her research highlights that technology is only one piece of the puzzle. Success in the digital age requires a synergy between Technology, People/Leadership, and Organizational Culture.
• Confidence through inquiry: Research builds a unique professional “courage.” In Viktoria’s words: “Before the doctoral degree, I would not have had the courage or the let’s say the confidence to apply for or to to even go on this journey to get, yeah… to a new position. But now I know how to approach it, how to acquire the new, the needed knowledge for that.”

Navigating the “human side” of innovation

One of the most profound moments of the interview was Viktoria’s analysis of resistance within global organizations. She emphasized that digital transformation often fails not because of the software, but because of human friction. Her research proves that a leader’s role is to act as a bridge between technical possibilities and cultural readiness. By combining curiosity, resilience, and precision, professionals can move past the surface of business problems to find sustainable solutions.

A global exchange of future skills

The dialogue also highlighted a rich exchange between students from diverse sectors—including HR, Banking, and Visual Merchandising. A central theme emerged: the importance of “translation skills.” As the session progressed, it became clear that the modern executive must be able to turn complex theory into actionable business insights. This reflects the core mission of the DPhil: “This is more than a degree. It’s learning how to unlock knowledge on your own.”

Advice for future researchers:

When it comes to choosing a thesis topic, Viktoria’s advice is clear: lean into your curiosity rather than your existing comfort zone. “Don’t think about where you already have the knowledge, where you’re already in a subject matter expert, but rather think of the topic you’re interested to learn more and becoming being an expert.”

As Lisa Pelizzon beautifully concluded, your research is your one fully self-directed academic moment, it is “Your creature.”

Are you ready to start your own journey of discovery?✨

#ExperienceUIBS #DPhil #DigitalTransformation #BusinessLeadership #SuccessStories