Dr Sumati Ahuja's trans-disciplinary research examines technology driven change in professional settings and the implications for the future of work. Her collaborative project on 'Human side of future of work', involves researchers from UTS Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Sydney Business School and EM Lyon, France, was awarded the Deans Strategic Research Fund grant (2022). Her research addresses the real needs and challenges facing organisations in implementing change in professional settings to deliver business and societal impact.  

Sumati's research on using design thinking to address complex problems in business and society has led to collaborations with UTS Design Innovation Research Centre. Her research has examined design thinking as a driver of innovation. She has built key partnerships with industry leaders in the field digital transformations including: IBM Design Asia Pacific, Deloitte Australia and Digitas. She was expert panelist at IBMs Design Summit (2019) demonstrating real world engagement and impact of her research. Her project on Digital transformations and workforce ecosystems was awarded the UTS Center for Business and Social development grant for pilot partnerships (2022).

Sumati's research is a collaborative endeavour with leading global scholars. She is co-convenor of the sub-theme 'Professional work(ers) past, present and future/s' at European Group for Organization Studies (EGOS), colloquium 2023-2025. Her research has been published in top-tier academic journals including: Journal of Management Studies, Human Relations, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Organization, Journal of Professions and Organization, and Management Learning. Sumati is guest editor for a Special Issue on 'Boredom at Work' for Organization. She regularly presents her research at leading conferences including EGOS and the Oxford University, Saïd Business Schools' Professional Service Firms Conference. Her work appears in media articles that have outreach to Human Resource managers, public sector and business leaders.