Navigating Field Research in Informal Economies

This is an exclusive session with Professor Geoffrey Kistruck, a leading expert in field research within informal and developing economies. Drawing on extensive experience across Africa and South America, he will share practical strategies for designing and implementing research in resource-constrained, dynamic environments.

Discover how to navigate complex contexts, build trust with local stakeholders, and adapt research designs to evolving conditions. Whether you’re new to research or an experienced scholar, you’ll gain actionable insights for producing impactful, contextually grounded knowledge from the informal economy.

Don’t miss this chance to connect and learn!

Biography

Geoffrey M. Kistruck is the RBC Chair in Social Innovation & Impact at the Schulich School of Business at York University. His research focuses on social entrepreneurship and the role of organizations in addressing poverty and inequality, particularly within informal and resource-constrained economies. Geoffrey’s work examines how organizations and cross-sector partnerships can create sustainable impact in developing contexts, with a strong emphasis on field-based experimentation and practical relevance.

Geoffrey has received recognition for his research and teaching excellence and has published in leading academic journals such as the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Management, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Organisation Studies, among others. His research has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and other major funding bodies.