Dr. Patricia P. Iglesias Sánchez currently holds the position of Titular de Universidad (Associate Professor) at the University of Málaga, Spain, where she has been a dedicated academic since 2011. Her scholarly contributions have grown significantly since earning her Ph.D. in Economic and Business Sciences in 2010, for which she was awarded the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize. With a professional background that bridges academia and industry, she brings real-world applicability to her research, teaching, and innovation activities. As a multidisciplinary researcher with a strong commitment to practical outcomes and gender equity, Dr. Iglesias Sánchez exemplifies leadership in entrepreneurial innovation, digital marketing, and social impact research.
Profile
Scopus
ORCID
Education
Dr. Iglesias Sánchez completed her Licenciatura in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Málaga in 2004. She subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in Local Development and Employment in 2008, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Barcelona, EAE, and Deusto in 2010. That same year, she earned her Ph.D. in Economic and Business Sciences from the University of Málaga, achieving the prestigious Extraordinary Doctorate Award. Her academic training is complemented by an expert certification in Innovation Management, adding further depth to her interdisciplinary profile.
Experience
Her early career was marked by influential roles in both public and private sectors, including as Director of Innovation Projects at the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Málaga and as General Manager of 2id Innovation Consultants. These experiences shaped her applied approach to research and teaching. Since joining the University of Málaga full-time in 2016, she has contributed significantly to the academic community through teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, coordinating the Master’s program in Digital Marketing Management, and leading several educational innovation projects. She also served as coordinator for the K-Project ComDigital, which fosters experiential learning in digital marketing for students.
Research Interest
Dr. Iglesias Sánchez’s core research focuses on open innovation, female entrepreneurship, digital marketing, startups, and the social dimensions of technology. Her work is deeply influenced by gender perspectives, making meaningful contributions to inclusive innovation and social sustainability. She has participated in various national and regional research projects addressing reputation management in digital society, strategic communication in female-led startups, and tourism accessibility in smart cities. Her ongoing work includes leading a nationally funded project exploring competitive strategies in communication for women-led startups, and she is a member of the research group COmMUp (SEJ-628), promoting open communication in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Awards
In recognition of her excellence, Dr. Iglesias Sánchez received the Extraordinary Doctorate Award in 2010. She has been honored three times for Best Presentation at international conferences, reflecting both her academic rigor and her impactful communication of research. Her projects have been supported by competitive grants from European and Spanish funding bodies such as FEDER, MCIU, AEI, and the Andalusian Government, validating the societal relevance and quality of her research.
Publication
Dr. Iglesias Sánchez has authored 35 peer-reviewed articles, indexed in JCR and SCOPUS, with an h-index of 12 and over 415 citations. Her representative works include:
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Heliyon (2022): “Open innovation for entrepreneurial opportunities” – cited by articles focusing on stakeholder engagement in tech-based startups.
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International Journal of Management Education (2022): “The role of gender and connections between entrepreneurship and employability.”
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Tourism Review (2022): “Digital accessibility of smart cities-tourism” – ahead of print.
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Heliyon (2021): “Closer to or further from the new normal? Social media analysis in business” – contributing to post-COVID strategy debates.
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Information Technology & Tourism (2020): “Open innovation and R&D in tourism” – widely cited in hospitality innovation research.
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Education and Training (2019): “Gender and university degree: A new analysis of entrepreneurial intention.”
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2020): “The contagion of sentiments during the COVID-19 crisis.”
These publications emphasize open innovation, digital engagement, gender analysis, and societal resilience, underlining her integrated approach to entrepreneurship and communication.
Conclusion
Dr. Patricia P. Iglesias Sánchez stands out as a multi-faceted academic whose research bridges theory and practice, addressing real-world challenges such as gender equity, digital accessibility, and entrepreneurial sustainability. Her scholarly excellence, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to technology transfer demonstrate her impactful role in advancing both academic inquiry and societal progress. With notable international collaborations, pioneering projects, and consistent contributions to high-impact journals, she is a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her holistic integration of research, education, and outreach continues to enrich the academic landscape and foster innovation-driven development.