Docentship of entrepreneurship has been awarded to Åbo Akademi University’s Associate Professor and University Lecturer Stefan Lång
The title of docent, awarded on 1st June 2025, is an important achievement to Lång because it allows him to deepen his academic engagement in areas that have been central to his research and professional interests field, refugee and migrant entrepreneurship and business development.
“The docentship provides a valuable platform to contribute to scholarly discussions and collaborate on research that has real-world impact. I see this role as a bridge between academic insight and practical relevance, especially in supporting underrepresented entrepreneurial communities such as migrants and refugees.”
Ph.D. Stefan Lång has been researching the role of entrepreneurship in promoting the integration of refugees and migrants since 2019. His particular focus has been on how entrepreneurial activity can foster both social and economic inclusion. His work examines how business development initiatives can be tailored to effectively support these communities, enabling not only integration but also long-term entrepreneurial success. In addition, Lång has been interested in entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in remote and peripheral regions.
“My main interest lays in how business development strategies can be adapted to the unique challenges and opportunities in these areas, contributing to sustainable local economies and resilient communities.”
The docentship also offers Lång an opportunity to build new personal networks and foster cooperation between Åbo Akademi University and the University of Oulu. This can lead to meaningful interdisciplinary and cross-institutional initiatives.
The road from Uppsala to the docent in the University of Oulu
Stefan Lång did his master’s degree in Business and Management from Uppsala University in 2000 and his PhD in Marketing and Strategies from University of Cardiff Business School, in Wales, UK in 2009. His academic journey has also been complemented by a diverse professional background that spans several industries and roles, as Lång has a wide range of expertise from teaching and business life.
“Over the years, I have started and managed businesses in various sectors, including international import, hospitality, and painting contracting. I’ve also worked as a consultant, primarily supporting small businesses.”
Lång has been active in academia since 2000. He has taught in Finland at Åland University of Applied Sciences and Åbo Akademi University, and at Cardiff University and the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdoms. Since 2012, he has served as an Assistant Professor and University Lecturer in Organisation and Management (Strategy), and since 2025 as an Associate Professor at Åbo Akademi University.
In this role, he focuses on strategy in general, strategic decision-making, business development, and entrepreneurship, with a particular interest in how these areas intersect with societal challenges and opportunities. He is also a founder of the Refugee Entrepreneurship Research Group at Åbo Akademi.
Lång's docentship is attached to the Kerttu Saalasti Institute at the University of Oulu.
"Stefan Lång's expertise and publications are impressive. His teaching skills were also presented in an interesting way. He was awarded Teacher of the Year at Åbo Akademi University's School of Business in 2019. We are delighted to have him joining our institute as a docent," says Professor and Director Matti Muhos from the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute.
Text: Maaria Tuisku
Photo: Private