With a background in theatre and business, Deepesh Paudel is writing a new chapter in Newfoundland where research meets storytelling and community care.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, and spent 34 years of my life there before relocating to St. John’s, Newfoundland, with my wife in early 2022. Over the past three-plus years, we’ve come to enjoy the quietness of this place, the vibrant performing arts scene, and the many walkable trails nearby.

I’ve also spent countless hours at the QEII Library and have developed a deep affinity for the place itself.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

When I’m not thinking about my research, I do and watch theatre, read, and have deep conversations with my wife, Sadhana, about life, politics, and society. Lately, I’ve also developed a renewed interest in meditation, mindfulness, contemplative practices, and secular spirituality. If you see me wandering the streets with headphones on, I’m probably tuned in to a podcast on one of these topics.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

For most of my professional life, I’ve been straddling two seemingly unrelated paths: business management and theatre. I’ve always been interested in the interplay and reciprocal relationship between these two fields. This interest took shape in 2016 when I founded Tatsama Arts, a theatre company in Kathmandu, Nepal. Leading the company for six years gave me a nuanced understanding of the role an arts organization can play in creating value for society. I was also aware of the financial and market challenges that performing arts organizations increasingly face, often intensified by shrinking funding and limited market size, among other factors. I wanted to explore these issues and the intersections of arts, society, and business.

Why did you choose Memorial University for your graduate studies?

Soon after my interest in the intersection of arts, culture, and business grew, I realized that the field of social enterprise offered a strong framework for my research. I began looking into universities and professors who prioritized research on social enterprises. This led me to cross paths with Dr. John W. Schouten, Canada Research Chair in Social Enterprise. Dr. Schouten was interested in my research and saw its significance for a growing community like Newfoundland and Labrador. I was also drawn to the fact that the Faculty of Business at MUN had, and still has, a dedicated unit (the Centre for Social Enterprise) focused on the study and development of social enterprises. Finally, I knew that St. John’s had a lively performing arts scene, which was a key factor in my decision to pursue a research program here. I wanted to conduct a prolonged and immersive study within the field.

What is your research/thesis about? How do you describe your research to a general audience with no background in the field?

My research focuses on TODOS Productions, an arts-based social enterprise in Newfoundland and Labrador, and how they have been creating social value for the marginalized and underrepresented communities of this province. I use a lens of bricolage and ideational bricolage to study how the organization generates and employs normative, cultural, and symbolic elements to create social value that is characterized by a sense of belonging and community, empowerment and representation, and wellbeing. Using the same framework, I explore how this enterprise co-creates narratives of socially marginalized groups. I’m using ethnography as my research methodology and rely on qualitative methods of data construction such as participant fieldwork and observation, ethnographic interviews, and archival data.

How would you describe your experience as a graduate student at Memorial?

As is the case with most PhD journeys, mine has also seen its fair share of ups and downs. It has been a significant intellectual undertaking that has challenged my understanding of social phenomena and institutions. Luckily, I’ve had solid support from my academic advisors, who have been helping me refine my research and develop skills and strategies for career planning. As a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Business, I’ve also participated in and presented my research at various conferences, in Canada and internationally, including the Academy of Management, the European Academy of Management, and the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada.

What scholarships or awards have you received?

I’ve been fortunate to receive funding support through various awards and fellowships during my program here at Memorial. These include the School of Graduate Studies Fellowship, Canada Research Chair (Social Enterprise) funding, Dean’s Doctoral Award, and the BMO Financial Group Graduate Scholarship.

Have you faced any challenges in life that you’ve overcome to pursue graduate studies?

The seed of an idea to pursue a PhD came to me around 2018. There were a few opportunities I had, but none were financially viable, as studying abroad wasn’t an affordable option for me at the time. This meant I had to be persistent with my application approach and spent a lot of time rethinking and reworking my proposals, until I got admitted to a program that allowed me to explore my academic interests while receiving financial assistance. 

Where I come from, a career in the performing arts was, and to a great extent still is, not equally supported. So, when I decided to engage in theatre after completing an MBA, both as a practitioner and administrator, I faced social pressures from those around me. Overcoming this social disapproval and sticking to my choice came at a cost and took some time.

What career path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?

At the moment, I’m going with the flow. I’m open to a career in academia, cultural and arts policy, or arts research and administration.

What advice would you give to current or future graduate students?

Most of the “clichéd” sayings you hear about a PhD are true. So before starting one, it helps to understand that 1) a PhD is a marathon, not a sprint; 2) your best support is your supervisor; 3) there will be a fair share of dark days, gloomy days, and some bright days; 4) try to stay on top of your finances as much as possible. And importantly, go easy on yourself. Practice mindfulness, walk, and take deep breaths. Try to enjoy the process.

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