Meet the Agile Research Network (ARN) team, a collaborative group of researchers and industry experts dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of Agile methodologies. Our team is drawn from leading UK universities, including The Open University, University of Glasgow, and University of Central Lancashire as well as the Agile Business Consortium, each bringing a unique expertise in software engineering, education, and industry-based research. Working closely with practitioners worldwide, the team shares practical insights and findings that help shape the future of Agile practices. Below, you can learn more about the individuals driving this innovative research network.
Leonor Barroca is a Senior Lecturer in Computing at The Open University. Her research is in the Software Engineering area where she has published in international conferences and journals; she has recently been also carrying out research in the area of research skills development in distance education and open educational resources for software engineering. She has been involved with undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in software engineering.
Advait Deshpande is a Lecturer in the School of Computing & Communications at the Open University. Before joining the OU, Advait worked in ICT consulting, and policy research and advisory services. His research interests include agile business practices, digital transformation, and large sociotechnical systems. His research adopts a mixed methods approach combining qualitative, quantitative, and participatory methods.
Peggy Gregory is a Senior Lecturer in Computing at the University of Central Lancashire. With 14 years at UCLan and prior experience as an IT manager, her research explores technology use, design, and its social and ethical impacts, focusing on agile methods and eHealth. She also teaches the MSc in Agile Software Projects and collaborates with local businesses using agile practices.
Helen Sharp is a Professor of Software Engineering at the Open University. Her research explores professional software practice, and she has collaborated with practitioners since the 1990s. Active in both software engineering and UX communities, she co-authors a leading textbook on Interaction Design (id-book.com). Helen also serves on the IEEE Software Advisory Board and reviews for journals and conferences.
Katie Taylor, co-founder of the Agile Research Network, transitioned from freelance consulting to academia, launching the UK’s first Masters in Agile Leadership. She now works with the Agile Business Consortium, where she has been a director for 20 years and currently serves as Chair. Katie is passionate about the growing field of business agility as it matures.
Mali Senapathi is a Senior Lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, specialising in agile software development, DevOps, and digital transformation. Her work is published in top conferences and journals in Information Systems and Software Engineering. She also serves as an Associate Editor for Agile-related conference tracks (e.g., ICIS, ECIS, and PCIS) and reviews for premier journals like MIS Quarterly and Journal of Systems and Software.
Diane Strode research is based around agile software development, organisational agility, and coordination theory, focusing on teams and software projects. A Visiting Research Fellow at The Open University and Senior Lecturer at Whitireia-Weltec Institute, she collaborates internationally. Her work is published in top journals such as the Journal of Systems and Software. Diane holds a PhD and has prior industry experience as a software developer.
Maduka Uwadi is a PhD candidate at the University of Central Lancashire, with degrees in Polymer and Textile Engineering Technology and IT Application Development. He has extensive experience in agile project management, IT business analysis, and product management across multiple industries. His research focuses on agile information systems development, project governance, and organisational agility in post-adoptive agile usage.
Chukwudi Uwasomba is a Research Associate at The Open University, specialising in agile methodologies in software development and business processes. He holds a First-Class BSc in IT and Business Information Systems, an MSc in Business Information Systems Management, and a PhD in Computing. His research focuses on enhancing agility and developing advanced computational techniques, bridging theory and practical applications.
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1908 332465
Email: Admin Support
