Five minutes with the faculty: Selin Kesebir

From a spontaneous reading choice to uncovering deep cultural shifts, Selin Kesebir’s academic path has been guided by curiosity and clarity of thought. Now an Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, she investigates how meaning-making drives human behaviour – and how those insights can transform leadership. Whether tracking the fading presence of nature in our cultural narratives or refining her work habits with 25-minute bursts of focus, Selin offers leaders a unique lens on identity, attention and what shapes performance.

What first sparked your interest in your field?

I was studying Economics and International Relations in college in Turkey. In my second year, I went to the library in search of a book to read over the term break. I picked a social psychology textbook. I enjoyed it immensely and decided to pursue a PhD in social psychology.

In an alternative life in which you had to make a different choice, what career would you have chosen?

I like thinking, reading, writing and teaching. So I’d still get a PhD, but in a different field. History seems like the most likely candidate as I’m very interested in history.

What’s one thing students or colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve an identical twin sister who also got a PhD in social psychology. We’ve published two papers together and I sometimes talk about her research in my classes.

What is your favourite food to snack when you’re working?

I tend to snack on almonds and walnuts. I also drink copious amounts of tea – mainly green and white tea and, sometimes, chamomile or ginger-lemongrass tea.

What’s your signature dish?

I have sadly very little interest in the kitchen but I think my popcorn is quite good.

What’s your go-to productivity trick or daily habit?

Back in grad school I learned the Pomodoro Technique. You set an alarm for 25 minutes and work on a task without interruption, take a break after 25 minutes, and start another 25-minute interval (a pomodoro). I often set a goal to finish a certain number of pomodoros on a specific task.

What are your favourite cultural activities?

I like reading and spend a few hours reading every day. I forget myself in bookstores and can browse them for hours. I also enjoy attending concerts in Wigmore Hall, which is a wonderful chamber music venue within walking distance from London Business School.

If you would recommend one book to our readers, which one would it be?

An absolute favourite of mine is Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick. It’s about life in North Korea, told through the stories of North Koreans who managed to escape. Even though it’s non-fiction, it would also appeal to fiction readers because it is very rich in human drama.

What is a hobby or skill you would like to acquire?

I would love to learn Korean because I have many very dear Korean friends and it’s different from the Latin or Germanic languages I’m familiar with. I also like the idea of learning a completely different script.

What is one interesting finding that came out of your research?

I’ve shown that song lyrics and fiction novels have been referring to nature less and less after the 1950s. For example, today, songs and stories are less likely to refer to specific flowers and trees, which is a sign of our declining connection to nature.

Interview by Sophie Haydock