My research expertise lies in the broad area of skills, jobs and working life. I have particular interest in the future of work, the digital and green transitions, building better and more inclusive skill ecosystems, job quality, changing work locations, labour market and education/training developments and issues. 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).

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).

Examples of current/recent research include:

• Green jobs: definition and measurement
• The skills ecosystem for subsurface net zero technologies and principles for a just transition
• Routes to net zero: engineering better geoscience skill ecosystems 
• Low paid work and the transition to net zero
• Graduating in a pandemic: careers, well-being and hopes for the future
• The future Ports' workforce
• What works for remote first
• Skills needs in construction, textiles and renewables
• 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 occupations

Skills, jobs and working life

Skill ecosystems

Skill formation systems

Labour market developments and issues

Professions and professionalisation

Healthy workers and workplaces

Career transitions

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).

People, Technology and Work

Work, Employment and Society

Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management

Labour and Diversity in a Global Context