Andrea Nicki

Andrea Nicki

Lecturer, Masters of Administrative Science,
School of Public and Global Affairs

Contact Information

Courses

• Ethics and Public Values
• Leadership Plus
• Perspectives on Leadership in Films
• Relational Leadership

Research

• Ethical leadership
• Business ethics
• Relational leadership
• Leadership and films
• Applied health ethics
• Psychosocial studies

Education

• PhD, Queen’s University
• MA, Queen’s University
• BA, Queen’s University

Academic Profile

In order to effectively relate to others in a global context, managers need to develop the leader within and address knowledge gaps and biases, cultivating strengths, and communication skills. It’s important that they understand and are able to manage issues in the workplace that may arise related to personal characteristics and diversity. In my classes, I enjoy learning about student backgrounds and drawing on their personal experience and training in class discussions. Mobilizing student knowledge and thought promotes a classroom atmosphere of mutual respect and facilitates intercultural communication and professional growth. For this reason, my classes are primarily discussion-based. Students, who aren’t used to sharing opinions and interactive classes may be a bit shy at first but soon discover their pleasure in having their intellect stimulated and opinions sought and valued. They also appreciate the opportunity to strengthen important workplace skills in public speaking and giving and receiving feedback.

I use a variety of methods to help prepare students for managing a diverse workforce, such as lectures, film clips, small group work, presentations, and self-reflection. As an active researcher, I keep abreast of new developments in research on applied ethics, diversity issues, and relational leadership and share my own and others’ research with students. Emphasis is put on the practical application of theoretical concepts; students reflect on real-life cases and situations and practice administrative and decision-making skills.

Laughter can be a powerful way of creating rapport and engagement. A few years ago I developed a fun course on leadership and films which was very well-received by students. Films that depict characters facing real-life challenges in business contexts can help managers understand the complexities and dilemmas of leadership and build ethical competencies. Students report that my classes are lively and stimulating.