Empowering the Next Generation of Marketing Scholars
AMA DocSIG is the American Marketing Association’s student-led special interest group for doctoral students across all areas of marketing research and teaching, including behavioral, quantitative, and qualitative research traditions.
Founded in 1996 by marketing doctoral students, DocSIG began with a single initiative, the original Who Went Where report, and a simple belief: doctoral students deserve a community built around their unique needs.
Three decades later, DocSIG has grown into a vibrant international community that connects emerging scholars with one another while providing practical resources, meaningful professional-development opportunities, and access to experienced faculty mentors.
Whether you are beginning your PhD, developing your research identity, preparing to teach, entering the academic job market, or transitioning into a faculty career, DocSIG is here to support you at every stage of the journey.
Our programs and resources are designed around the realities of the marketing PhD journey, from the first year of doctoral study through the academic job market and the transition into a faculty career.
Our Mission
DocSIG’s mission is to make the PhD journey more connected, transparent, and empowering for marketing doctoral students worldwide. Through trusted information, practical resources, mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to contribute to the discipline, we reduce barriers and foster a welcoming academic community where doctoral students can build meaningful relationships and thrive during the PhD and beyond.
Building. Bonding. Blooming.
Our motto reflects the three ways we support marketing doctoral students:
- Building
Building the research, teaching, presenting, reviewing, leadership, and job-market skills needed for a successful academic career.
- Bonding
Creating meaningful relationships among doctoral students, faculty mentors, emerging scholars, and members of the broader AMA academic community.
- Blooming
Helping doctoral students develop their scholarly voice, share their work, gain confidence, and prepare for the next stage of their academic careers.
What DocSIG Offers Its Members
Who Went Where
Our annual Who Went Where (WWW) Report provides a data-informed snapshot of the North American marketing academic job market. It offers valuable insights into applications, interviews, placements, publications, compensation, and the experiences of recent job-market candidates. Click here to read more.
JMR Scholarly Insights
Through our monthly collaboration with the Journal of Marketing Research, doctoral students interview the authors of recently published articles and translate those conversations into accessible research insights. The initiative helps students engage with influential scholarship, connect with established researchers, and strengthen their academic voices. Click here to read more.
Webinar Series
Our monthly webinars bring doctoral students into conversation with accomplished scholars on topics related to research, methodology, publishing, teaching, the PhD experience, and the academic job market. Recordings are made available through our growing YouTube Channel. Click here to read more.
Experience DocSIG Events in Person at AMA Conferences
Twice each year, the AMA Summer and Winter Academic Conferences bring the marketing community together. At both conferences, DocSIG hosts signature in-person experiences designed specifically for doctoral students creating welcoming spaces to receive practical guidance, strengthen their research and teaching, prepare for the academic job market, and build meaningful relationships with peers and faculty.
- At the AMA Summer Academic Conference, DocSIG typically hosts a preconference program featuring a faculty mentoring breakfast and feedback sessions tailored primarily to PhD candidates who are entering or preparing to enter the academic job market.
- At the AMA Winter Academic Conference, our Doctoral Colloquium brings doctoral students and faculty together over breakfast for feedback on research ideas, faculty mentorship, and practical teaching guidance.
- At both conferences, we also host collaborative SIG receptions, including joint gatherings with the Sustainable Marketing SIG. These receptions offer doctoral students a relaxed and welcoming setting in which to expand their networks and connect with the broader marketing academic community.
Our signature conference events are exclusively available to DocSIG members and require advance registration. Event details are announced on DocSIG.org, the DocSIG LinkedIn page, and the AMA website. You can sign up for these events when registering for the AMA Summer or Winter Academic Conference. Explore Upcoming Conference Events.
Awards and Recognition
DocSIG celebrates the faculty mentors and emerging scholars who strengthen the marketing doctoral community.
- Mathew Joseph Mentor Award
The Mathew Joseph Mentor Award honors an outstanding faculty member whose sustained commitment to mentorship has made a meaningful difference in the lives and careers of marketing doctoral students. The call for nominations is announced each fall through DocSIG’s communication channels, and the recipient is recognized in person at the AMA Winter Academic Conference.
- Mathew Joseph Emerging Scholar Award
The Mathew Joseph Emerging Scholar Award recognizes an exceptional marketing doctoral student whose scholarship demonstrates outstanding promise and the potential to make a lasting contribution to the discipline. The call for nominations is announced each spring through DocSIG’s communication channels, and the recipient is recognized in person at the AMA Summer Academic Conference.
News, Opportunities, and Community Updates
Through our weekly email digest, online platforms, and twice-yearly newsletter, we share upcoming events, calls for participation, academic job-market resources, research opportunities, doctoral student spotlights, and news from across the marketing academic community.
Our Leadership Team
During the 2026–27 academic year, AMA DocSIG is led by:
Safa Zahra Karami
Chair | University of Wyoming
Rafaela Canova Davide
Chair-Elect | University of Arkansas
They work alongside a dedicated and internationally diverse team of doctoral-student officers who lead DocSIG’s research, scholarly, webinar, website, and communications initiatives. Meet Our Current leadership team
Faculty Mentorship
Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, AMA DocSIG is introducing a new faculty mentorship structure. Under this model, the President and Immediate Past President of the AMA Academic Council serve as DocSIG’s faculty mentors, creating greater continuity and strengthening DocSIG’s connection with the broader AMA academic community.
President, AMA Academic Council
Professor of Marketing, ESCP Business School
Chair of Responsible Research in Marketing, University of Liverpool Management School
Immediate Past President, AMA Academic Council
Wilbur Dickson-Bascom Professor in Business
Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Together, our faculty mentors advise and support DocSIG’s student leadership as we develop programs, resources, and opportunities for the marketing doctoral community.
For complete information about our initiatives, resources, events, and leadership, make DocSIG.org your first stop. Follow us on LinkedIn for timely announcements and visit our YouTube channel for webinar recordings and doctoral-development resources.
AMA Membership for Doctoral Students
Doctoral students get an exclusive discount on AMA professional membership. Just follow these steps and use the discount code AMADOCTORAL:
- If you have an AMA.org account, Login and visit AMA.org/membership. If you do not have an account, click here.
- Select “Professional or Academic Membership” (not Student Member), click Next
- Select “1 – Year Member” then click Next
- Select “Academic Community – 1 Year” then click Next
- Select “Doctoral Students SIG – 1 Year” and any other SIG’s free of charge then click Next
- Enter the discount code AMADOCTORAL on the Order Summary Screen, click Apply, then click Next
- You are brought to a success page and are now an active AMA member. An automated receipt will be sent after processing.
Mathew Joseph Emerging Scholar Award
Dr. Mathew Joseph honors a doctoral student who has displayed exemplary holistic scholarship and exhibits a bright future in the academic discipline. It is a large honor for the selected doctoral student. The faculty judges look for a top emerging PhD student who holistically has the influence and abilities to become a great scholar in marketing.
- 2025 Winner – Jason Lin, Questrom School of Business, Boston University
- 2024 Winner – Giovanni Luca Cascio Rizzo, University of Southern California
- 2023 Winner – Rodrigo da Silva Dias, University of Colorado Boulder
- 2022 Winner – Lan Anh Nu Ton, Texas Christian University
- 2021 Winner – Gizem Yalcin, Erasmus University
- 2020 Winner – Riley Krotz, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- 2019 Winner – Unnati Narang, Texas A&M University
- 2019 Finalist – Jillian Hmurovic, University of Pittsburgh
AMA DocSIG Mentorship Award
This Award recognizes a faculty mentor that has consistently demonstrated support to marketing doctoral students and the AMA DocSIG mission.
- 2025 Winner – Anat Keinan, Boston University
- 2024 Winner – Alex R. Zablah, University of Tennessee Knoxville
- 2023 Winner – Maura Scott, Florida State University
- 2021 Winner – Mark B. Houston, Texas Christian University
- 2019 (Inaugural) Winner – Mathew Joseph, St. Mary’s University
Requests of all kind should only be addressed to docsig.ama@gmail.com.
Safa Zahra Karami | Chair
Iran | She/Her/Hers
University of Wyoming
zkarami@uwyo.edu
Bio – I am a PhD candidate in marketing at the University of Wyoming. I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in marketing. Before beginning my PhD, I spent more than 15 years working in a range of sales and marketing roles, including six years as a country sales manager. Drawing on this professional experience, my research focuses on sales and marketing strategy. In 2026, I received the University of Wyoming’s Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award and the James M. Carman Award for Best Doctoral Student Full Paper at the Macromarketing Conference. This is my third year serving DocSIG. I joined the Communications Team during the 2024–25 academic year and now serve as Chair. Service has become one of the most rewarding parts of my academic journey. As Chair, I have three primary goals: 1) To connect real-world marketing practice with DocSIG’s academic community; 2) To expand DocSIG’s reach among first- and second-year PhD students; 3) To strengthen DocSIG’s international presence by welcoming more members from around the world.
Rafaela Canova Davide | Chair-Elect
Brazil | She/Her
University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business
rcanovadavide@walton.uark.edu
Bio – Rafaela is a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in Marketing at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas. She is a consumer culture researcher whose work examines how marginalized consumers navigate markets through everyday practices that attempt to reshape markets and cultural meanings. During her Ph.D., Rafaela has taught Consumer Behavior and Introduction to Marketing. This is Rafaela’s second year serving DocSIG. After joining the Communications Team during the 2025–26 academic year, she has stepped into a new leadership role as DocSIG’s Chair-Elect.
Fun Fact: I’m a devoted Lord of the Rings fan who has read the books more times than I can count.
Japmman Pahuja | Vice Chair of Scholarly Insights
India | She/Her
Georgia State University
jpahuja1@gsu.edu
Bio – Japmman Pahuja is a third-year PhD Student in Marketing at Georgia State University, where she studies the intersection of technology and marketing. Her research examines how AI agents can enhance customer experiences, brand management, and marketing strategy in real-world settings. She earned a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication and an MBA in Technology Management (Marketing) from India. Before beginning her doctoral journey, Japmman spent four years selling hybrid data and cybersecurity services to large-scale enterprises across India, building practical expertise in sales, marketing, and technology adoption. Drawing on both industry experience and academic research, Japmman is passionate about bridging theory and practice to address real-world challenges at the technology-marketing interface. This is Japmman’s second year serving DocSIG. She joined the Scholarly Insights Team as Assistant Vice Chair during the 2025–26 academic year and now leads the team in her new role.
Fun Fact: My name, Japmman, means ‘to worship and follow your heart,’ and true to that, I’ve often landed myself in some wildly challenging situations. But then again, how could you live and have no story to tell?
Anusheh Ali Gauhar | Assistant Vice Chair of Scholarly Insights
Pakistan | She/Her/Hers
Concordia University
anusheh.gauhar@concordia.ca
Bio – Anusheh is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Marketing department at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. Her research focuses on Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), particularly how consumers navigate changes in their homes, family relationships, and everyday consumption practices. Her current work explores how working from home (WFH) reshapes domestic practices and requires ongoing negotiation among family members. Before beginning her Ph.D. in Canada, Anusheh completed her MPhil and BBA (Hons.) in Pakistan and earned a gold medal for academic excellence in both programs. She currently lives in Montréal with her husband and daughter.
Nyota Ferguson | Vice Chair of Communications
United States| She/Her/Hers
Pace University, Lubin School of Business
nf84120n@pace.edu
Bio – Nyota Ferguson is a fifth-year doctoral student in Marketing at the Lubin School of Business, Pace University, where her research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and consumer behavior. She brings over 20 years of marketing experience across a range of industries and disciplines, currently serving as Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Charter Communications and as a Course Associate in Columbia University’s Strategic Communication Program.
Yinghao (Rosa) Zhang | Assistant Vice Chair of Communications
China| She/Her/Hers
Georgia State University.
yzhang134@student.gsu.edu
Bio – I am currently a doctoral student in Marketing at Georgia State University. My research focuses on the intersection of consumer behavior and generative AI, investigating how AI-driven tools influence consumer perceptions and choices.
Annur Sifat | Vice Chair of Who When Where Report
Bangladesh| He/Him/His
Georgia State University
asifat1@student.gsu.edu
Bio – I am a second-year PhD student in Marketing at Georgia State University. My research interests center on consumer psychology, AI, and algorithmic environments, and how situational and psychological factors shape consumer responses. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a marketing analyst at the largest credit union in Ohio for over a year, which strengthened my interest in marketing research and consumer behavior.
Fun Fact: I love traveling and have visited 15 countries so far. I am also a big cricket and soccer fan, and my favorite soccer team is Real Madrid.
Yijia (Vita) Cao | Assistant Vice Chair of Who When Where Report
China | She/Her/Hers
Wilfrid Laurier University
Caox6300@mylaurier.ca
Bio – Vita is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Marketing at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, particularly in influencer marketing and AI-mediated interactions. Her work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, and International Journal of Advertising.
Indeesh Mukhopadhyay | Vice Chair of Webinar
United States | He/Him/His
The Ohio State University
mukhopadhyay.29@buckeyemail.osu.edu
Bio – Indeesh (or Indy) is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Marketing, specializing in consumer behavior at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His research interests include time perception, time-effort beliefs, scheduling choices, consumer financial decision-making, and psychological biases in the marketplace. At OSU, he teaches Advertising and Promotions.
Fun Fact: When not working on classes or research, you can find him at a concert, behind the cocktail bar, nose buried in a good book, on the hiking trail, gaming with friends, or fawning over cat videos. He is originally from Colorado.
Colin Bisbee | Assistant Vice Chair of Webinar
United States | He/Him/His
Louisiana State University
Cbisbe1@lsu.edu
Bio – Colin is a 4th-year doctoral student in Marketing at the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University. His research interests focus specifically on consumer decision-making, particularly preference formation and social identities. He is always interested in opportunities to learn new methods and enjoys finding new secondary datasets! Outside of academics, he is an avid sports fan and traveler.
Fun Fact: I love all kinds of music and hosted my own radio show during my undergraduate career.
Amio Galib Chowdhury | Vice Chair of Website
Bangladesh | He/Him/His
The University of Texas at Arlington
amio.chowdhury@uta.edu
Bio – Amio Galib Chowdhury is a second-year doctoral student in Business Administration (Marketing) at The University of Texas at Arlington. He holds a BS in Physics, an MBA in Management Information Systems, and an MS in Marketing Research and Analysis. Amio has experience working as a content marketing manager in the software industry. His current research interest is in consumer behavior and decision-making.
Fun Fact: I love reading philosophy and am always open to highly impractical discussions.
Ishita Nagpal | Immediate Past Chair
India | She/Her/Hers
Georgia State University
inagpal1@gsu.edu
Bio – Ishita Nagpal is a PhD candidate in Marketing at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. Her research is centered at the intersection of marketing strategy and the social impact of marketing, with a strong focus on how strategic marketing decisions can drive meaningful societal outcomes. At GSU, she teaches Social Media Marketing and Social Media Intelligence, bringing a blend of academic insight and real-world application to the classroom.
Dr. Michael Haenlein | Faculty Mentor
President, AMA Academic Council
Professor of Marketing, ESCP Business School
Chair of Responsible Research in Marketing, University of Liverpool Management School
Dr. Amber Epp | Faculty Mentor
Immediate Past President, AMA Academic Council
Wilbur Dickson-Bascom Professor in Business
Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin–Madison
