DrFaisal Wali

Dr Faisal Wali is an academic, researcher, and educator specialising in design thinking, innovation management, and entrepreneurship. With over four years of academic leadership experience in Australia and overseas, he combines teaching excellence, research contributions, and consulting expertise to advance responsible management education. He is currently a Teaching Fellow at Deakin University and also serves as an Academic Partner, representing Deakin University in the Deakin Lyceum Licensing Program, which supports the delivery of transnational education and student engagement in South Asia.

His research focuses on sustainability, workplace inclusion, and capacity-building for public officials, with publications in highly ranked journals, including the Journal of Business Ethics (ABDC A; FT50) and the Journal of Service Theory and Practice (ABDC A). Scholarly contributions also extend to books, including the chapter “Purpose-Driven Firms and Why They Are Successful” in The New Sustainability Edge: Redefining Business from Startups to Industry Leaders, a volume edited by Professor Philip Kotler.

In teaching, Wali has delivered courses across Deakin University, RMIT University, and other higher education providers in Australia, covering subjects such as Managing Innovation, Design Thinking, Ethics and Corporate Sustainability, and Business Logistics. Recognised for his teaching excellence, he has achieved 100% Good Teaching Scores at RMIT University and above 90% student satisfaction at Deakin University. His pedagogy draws on Harvard Business School cases, simulations he has developed, and interactive design-thinking approaches, fostering practical skills and innovation-driven learning

Beyond academia, he brings significant international consulting and training expertise. As a Lead Strategist and Consultant, he managed multinational teams on large-scale projects. His training engagements include programs with the International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group) on corporate governance, the European Union’s INSPIRED initiative, and the Commonwealth Youth Program (UK), where he facilitated entrepreneurship and enterprise development training across Asia.

Earlier in his career, Wali held senior leadership roles, including Director of External Affairs and Director of the Career and Placement Centre. In these roles, he established global collaborations with more than 30 universities across Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA, and facilitated study abroad opportunities and international placements for over 1,500 students.

His career reflects a strong integration of academic leadership, applied research, and global consulting, positioning him as a scholar-practitioner dedicated to advancing innovation-driven education and preparing globally minded graduates.