This presentation introduces the notion of the politics of the self, which is defined as the permanent political relationship and inner conversation with oneself and builds the idea of equity as a Grand Challenge, a problem that cannot be addressed by one individual, organization or nation alone. As a Grand Challenge, embracing equity requires society and within it project managers to make a series of discriminations which can be considered as ethical or unethical depending on the code of ethics endorsed by the various project stakeholders. The presentation presents the findings of Dr Konstantinou’s latest study which highlight the central role and impact of the personal codes of ethics of senior leaders and experts, and the concealed nature of ethics in projects addressing Grand Challenges. It concludes with recommendations for senior project leaders and managers and the importance of acting politically in order to help transform the ways in which equity is understood and manifests in projects.

1. #EmbraceEquity
and
the politics of self
Dr Efrosyni Konstantinou
Associate Professor in Strategic Management of Projects, University College London
Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy
Chair, Knowledge and Learning Special Interest Group, British Academy of Management
efrosyni.konstantinou@ucl.ac.uk
Women in Projects Embracing Equity Virtual Conference,
PMI Chapters across Europe, 8 March 2023

2. An independent programme of interdisciplinary research
on …
The politics of the self,
the permanent political relationship and
inner conversation with oneself,
where the individual debates, negotiates,
selectively decides and legitimises who
and what they are prepared to be and do,
i.e. their identity, at work and in life
(Konstantinou, 2023)
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Existentialist philosophy &
the human condition
Critical Management
Studies & the power
of expert labour
Sociology of the
professions & the
individual as an agent
of professionalism
PoS

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6. Some ideas on equity and embracing it
from my research
in addressing Grand Challenges…
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Non-equitable or
chaotic management
of projects
Equitable
management
of projects

7. What is a Grand Challenge…
Grand Challenges
- key for the survival and prosperity of
societies worldwide
- require approaches that transcend
conventional disciplines and practice
and address the socio-economic
systems of our global society as a whole
(Kuhlmann & Rip, 2014).
Grand Challenges are wicked problems:
“ambiguous, fluid, complex, political and
frustrating as hell" (Roberts, 2000)
…and
they happen concurrently – all at once
(Popkova, 2021)

8. Equity as a Grand Challenge
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… it’s all about drawing the relevant distinctions
Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 2005

9. The problem with making distinctions…
• Indeterminate knowledge, or
knowledge hiding from individual
and/or collective awareness
• Asymmetry of information
• Overflow of knowledge and
information
• Competing nature, authorship and
ownership of historical,
geographical, cultural, religious,
educational, organizational and
personal value systems (i.e.
divergence of beliefs and ethics)
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Please get in touch at efrosyni.konstantinou@ucl.ac.uk

10. How do senior leaders and experts make distinctions…
from personal codes of ethics to the boundaries of
Grand Challenges (GCC) projects
Based on data from 62 trailblazers, senior experts and leaders,
who channel all professional efforts to addressing Grand Challenges
in medicine, engineering, information & communication technology,
academia and government.
BLIND SPOT
Please get in touch at efrosyni.konstantinou@ucl.ac.uk

11. Acting politically… becoming aware of our political
responsibility in managing projects
• Decide how you will use your
knowledge and experience.
• Acknowledge and appreciate the
central role of your personal code of
ethics.
• Develop unparallel critical thinking
and political skill.
• Always … make a decision. Own
your decisions and move ahead!!!
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Please get in touch at efrosyni.konstantinou@ucl.ac.uk