Vikas Shah Archive

Born in Manchester, Shah was awarded an MBE for Services to Business and the Economy, and in 2021 became a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. 

Since 2007, Shah has conducted over hundreds of interviews with people who have shaped the 20th and 21st century. Interviewees range from music icon, Nile Rodgers, to primatologist, Dame Jane Morris Goodall, and philanthropist, Melinda Gates. His interviews are published online, and in his book, Thought Economics. On the subject of the interviews Shah has said that “Everything meaningful to our lives is the result of people with ideas, people who took a stand or followed the spark of inspiration to build a business or make a change. I’ve always been fascinated by brilliant people, how they think, and how they drive towards achievement.”

This collection contains the audio-visual and sound recordings, and transcripts of the interviews, many of which have not been published in Shah’s book or online. In some of the written transcripts, Shah has written an introduction touching on the themes discussed in the interviews to set them in a wider context. Also included in the collection are the question sheets prepared by Shah in advance of the interviews with guidance notes on the themes he wants to cover.

Shah received an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford in 2022 and donated his archive to the University for use in teaching, learning and research the same year.

The interviews and the transcripts will be of interest to a wide range of disciplines including business, journalism and the sciences. By interviewing a range of people from entrepreneurs, sportspeople, scientists, musicians, politicians and celebrities Shah’s interviews touch on a broad range of subject areas and topics that will have relevance.

Access to the archive collection is restricted to University of Salford students and staff. Username and password are required to log in. For all other users visit the Thought Economics website.