Durland Learning Foundation Fellowship
Established in May 2021 by the Durland Learning Foundation and awarded on the basis of academic excellence to funding eligible Masters or PhD level students enrolled at Smith School of Business in the School of Graduate Studies. Preference will be given to students doing research in business in a domain related to social or environmental themes with particular emphasis on current and emerging issues.
Latest Recipient
Ali Mirmajidi
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Tehran, Iran.
Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?
I first learned about the PhD program at Smith from a friend who was a PhD student here. When considering a PhD program, one of the most important factors is the student’s supervisor. My friend spoke highly of his supervisor’s supportiveness, which greatly influenced my decision to choose Smith School of Business and work under her supervision.
What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?
I have always been passionate about mathematics. At Queen’s, I had the opportunity to take courses in the Mathematics Department, which were both challenging and intellectually stimulating. These courses pushed my limits and significantly contributed to my academic growth.
What are your aspirations after graduation?
After graduation, I aspire to become a university professor, conducting research while also teaching and engaging with students. I find great fulfillment in both, and I look forward to contributing to academia in these capacities.
What is one interesting fact about you?
I am the first person in my generation to pursue a PhD and to immigrate from my hometown.
Research Overview
Fairness in Revenue Management: Navigating the Trade-off Between Corporate Profits and Social Equity
Ali’s research explores the balance between corporate profits and social equity in revenue management by analyzing pricing and product assortment strategies through the lens of consumer fairness. While firms increasingly use consumer data to customize prices and product offerings, this practice can pose reputational risks and undermine corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study defines fairness in terms of maintaining consistent prices and product options across different customer groups and evaluates four distinct scenarios combining fair and customized pricing and assortments. Using the mixture of multinomial logit (MMNL) model, which captures customer preferences, the research aims to identify optimal strategies that minimize fairness disparities while maintaining profitability. By examining the trade-off between revenue maximization and fairness, the study provides insights into how companies can align financial success with social equity.