Research team
Who is behind the project
Rooted in Faith is led by a single principal investigator, with the project designed to expand through collaboration with researchers, practitioners, and partner organisations over time.
Dr Muhammad Umar Boodoo
Associate Professor in Organisation & Work · Warwick Business School
Dr Boodoo's research examines how philanthropic and mission-driven organisations allocate resources, create social value, and relate to the communities they serve. His work on large-scale grantmaking has shown how systemic biases — including proximity and homophily — can cause even well-intentioned giving to bypass the communities of greatest need.
Rooted in Faith is a natural extension of that agenda. By turning the lens on Islamic charities — organisations that mobilise billions in giving yet remain largely invisible to researchers and policymakers — the project asks how faith-based forms of organising can inform broader debates about philanthropic effectiveness, stakeholder governance, and social impact.
He welcomes enquiries from researchers, practitioners, and organisations interested in collaboration or knowledge exchange.
Working with others
The project is intentionally designed as a platform for collaboration. Future phases may involve additional academic researchers, partner charities, and practitioners interested in reflecting on governance, impact, and organisational practice within the Islamic charity sector.
Opportunities for collaboration may include joint research, practitioner workshops, comparative studies, and co‑authored outputs.