Shaping the Students Who Shape the World: The Imperative for Responsible Management Education

Business, management, law, and economics represent the largest fields of study worldwide, with approximately 70 million graduates entering the workforce each year. These graduates will become the leaders, innovators, and decision-makers of tomorrow, yet a significant challenge looms: are they truly being prepared for the complex, interconnected world they will inherit?

Too often, current education models are rooted in outdated metrics of success that prioritise short-term financial gain over long-term social and environmental impact. This creates a dangerous gap between the skills and mindsets of graduates and the urgent needs of society. The current generation of business leaders is not adequately equipped to address pressing global issues, and without a fundamental shift in how we teach, this gap will only widen.

This is why Responsible Management Education (RME) is not a passing trend; it is a strategic imperative. RME is about embedding purpose, values, and long-term impact into the core of business education. It develops leaders who can balance economic success with ethical, social, and environmental stewardship, creating a more sustainable world for everyone.

The good news is that we are at a unique inflection point. Students, educators, and university leaders have an opportunity to drive this change and integrate RME into every classroom.

Three members of the PRME UK & Ireland Steering Committee are helping to lead this charge, and have shared their perspectives on this vital issue.

Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas Chair, PRME UK & Ireland Chapter

Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, a National Teaching Fellow and Chair of the PRME UK & Ireland Chapter, is a leading voice for sustainability in business education. As a member of the PRME Global Expert Pedagogy Group, she contributed to the impactful i5 Playbook for Responsible Leadership, a resource designed to transform teaching practices. Her work, which includes being Editor-in-Chief of Bloomsbury Fashion Business Cases and Co-Principal Editor of the International Journal of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles, demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring future leaders understand the critical role of sustainability.

Dr Marc Duffy PRME Lead, Ulster University Business School

Dr Marc Duffy brings a unique perspective, having spent many years in heavy industry before returning to academia. Now a Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, his experience as a practitioner informs his focus on applied research and sustainable business. As the inaugural PRME Lead at Ulster and a member of the PRME UK & Ireland Steering Committee, Dr Duffy’s primary goal is to celebrate and amplify the great work being done by others in this space.

Finally, Mohamed Saeudy, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at the University of Bedfordshire. He is also the Faculty PRME Lead and member of the PRME UK & Ireland Steering Committee.

By championing RME, we can equip the next generation of graduates with the skills they need to address global challenges, create long-term value, and ultimately, build a better world.

We invite you to join us in this movement. Explore the resources available from PRME, share these videos with your networks, and consider how you can help drive the adoption of RME within your own institution.