How did your degree prepare you for your current role?

My own degree path has been quite diverse. I studied politics at undergraduate level, before completing an applied master’s degree social research within a sociology department. I finally completed a PhD exploring why employers in the UK decide to voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage. It’s this variety that has helped me form an academic perspective that approaches my core research interests in HRM and build a keen awareness of the multiple actors that inhabit and interact with the issues that I am exploring.

What do you enjoy about your current role?

Through fieldwork interviews I get to explore the perspectives of employers and individuals from a diverse range of areas relating to our research. It’s interesting hearing their thoughts on how HRM processes are affected by businesses’ interactions with the social security support system, and the labour market more widely. Working alongside Dr Katy Jones has also shown me that there is a clear career path within academia for people primarily motivated by conducting research.

What advice would you give to students who aspire to a career in HRM?

Keep a conscious eye on the areas of HRM that you feel a strong passion and motivation for and feed that passion by learning more about them. Also don’t be afraid to reach to people in the field who may be able to offer you guidance on how progress your career in HRM.

Why do you feel it is important to have a diverse HRM industry?

HRM is at its core about the management of workforces, all of which are or should be made up of a diverse range of people. Having a diverse industry ensures that a wide range of different perspectives and experiences are embedded into HRM practices and policies, giving all different groups people equal voices to help shape and grow the industry.