I am Senior Lecturer and Director of Knowledge Exchange in the Department of Work, Employment and Organisation (WEO). Prior to moving into academia, I worked in the public and third sectors for over 15 years. Much of my research has a strong policy focus, and I have a sustained track record of leading, managing and delivering high-quality research and consultancy projects from a range of funders - including UNDP, British Academy/Leverhulme, the Scottish Government, SDS, Close the Gap, UK Major Ports Group. I previously served on the leadership team of the Centre for Work-based Learning (CWBL) and was a member of the OECD Expert Advisory Group on the project Better Using Skills in the Workplace (in collaboration with the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). I currently serve on the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) Implementation Steering Group (having previously served on the CESAP Expert Group, which oversaw the development of the CESAP).

My research expertise lies in the broad area of skills, jobs and working life. My recent/current research and research projects are increasingly concerned with green jobs, green skills and a ‘just’ transition to ‘net zero’ (e.g. The Green Factor). Examples of current/recent research include:

• Green jobs - workforce and demand research
• The skills ecosystem for subsurface net zero technologies and principles for a just transition
• What works for remote first
• The future Ports' workforce
• Skills needs in construction, textiles and renewables
• Graduating in a pandemic
• Fair work in modern and graduate apprenticeships
• Meta/future-skills mapping
• The chef skills shortage crisis
• Developing advanced manufacturing skills
• Changing demand for green jobs and skills
• Women in new green jobs (wind turbine jobs/roles)
• The professionalisation of intermediate occupation
• Occupational segregation in higher education institutions
• Skill ecosystems in context

Green jobs and skills

Skills, skills utilisation and skill ecosystems

The future of work

Inclusive growth

‘Decent’/ ‘fair’ work

Labour market transitions

Social mobility

HRM practice

Wellbeing at work

Remote/hybrid working

BA (Hons) in Psychology and Sociology (Strathclyde), Postgraduate Diploma in Alcohol Studies (Paisley College of Technology), MSc in Occupational Psychology (Strathclyde/Heriot-Watt), PhD in Human Resource Management (ESRC Case Studentship, Strathclyde), Chartered Occupational Psychologist (British Psychological Society), Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC).

Work, Employment and Society

Work Psychology for Human Resource Management

Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management

Labour and Diversity in a Global Context