Our research demonstrates how organisational outcomes are impacted by leadership behaviours and workgroup cultures and practices.
Combining psychological, sociological and practice perspectives, our research considers working life in diverse national, ethnic, and linguistic contexts to focus upon issues of gender equity, diversity, work-life balance, maternity protection, ageing and sexual identity at work, and ethical and caring leadership. Elements of this work are taken forward by our Gender and Diversity Research Cluster.
Research findings relate to the UK and across Western Europe, Africa and South East Asia and are published in leading Organization Studies and Leadership journals, including the British Journal of Management, Human Relations, Leadership Quarterly and Organization Studies.
If you are interested in our work please email Bianca Stumbitz or Tim Freeman.
We encourage participation and input from a wide range of stakeholders within academia and beyond
The issue of how to tackle race discrimination by employers remains an urgent one. Our research into race discrimination in the NHS has evidenced patterns of under-representation of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff within senior and Board levels of the NHS. Findings demonstrated that rather than rely on voluntary intervention, effective sustainable change requires data driven accountability linked to contractual obligation.
As a result, Roger Kline was commissioned to design the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES). The implementation of the WRES has prompted sustained NHS action on race discrimination in England’s largest employer of 1.2 million staff. Impacts have included a greater likelihood of BAME staff being appointed from shortlisting, more BAME staff appointed at senior/Board level, and a reduction in the likelihood of disciplinary action for BME staff.
To achieve sustainable development in terms of gender equality, health and well-being and decent work, the link between reproduction and employment has become a major policy issue. Research led by Bianca Stumbitz, Suzan Lewis, Lilian Miles and Tim Freeman has addressed the lack of knowledge on maternity protection and sexual and reproductive health rights at work, focusing upon these issues in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and informal economy workplaces within low- and middle-income countries.
Findings have demonstrated the affordability and benefits of maternity and sexual and reproductive health protection to businesses, the need for context sensitive solutions and a lack of awareness of employee rights and employer duties. These results are now informing debate within key international organisations (ILO, WHO, UN) and shaping policy strategies, firm practices and public awareness in Ghana, South Africa and Malaysia.
Maternity Management in SMEs: A Transdisciplinary Review and Research Agenda https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12143
At the limits of ‘Capability’: The sexual and reproductive health of women migrant workers in Malaysia'
SL in Transdisciplinary Practice & Leadership Workforce Mgmt
Associate Professor
SL in Human Resource Management
Lec in Organisational Behaviour/Organisational Psychology
Senior Research Fellow
Senior Lecturer in Human Resources
Professor of International Management
Senior Lecturer in Business and Management
Associate Professor in Leadership
Senior Lecturer in Business and Management
Senior Lecturer in Organisational Psychology
Acting HoD/Associate Professor
Senior Lecturer in HRM
