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Staff Profile

Professor Matthew Brannan

Deputy Dean

  • Address: Newcastle University Business School
    5 Barrack Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4SE
Background

Matthew Brannan is the Deputy Dean of Newcastle University Business School and a Professor of Work, Employment, and Organisation Studies.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Deputy Dean: As the Deputy Dean, Matthew plays a crucial role in supporting the School's academic staffing strategy. Together with the Dean and Subject Group Heads, he collaborates with colleagues to enable excellence in research and scholarship, teaching and learning, engagement and place, internationalisation, and ethics, responsibility, and sustainability.
  • Previous roles. Deputy Director (Education and Student Recruitment): Before assuming the position of Deputy Dean, Matthew served as the Deputy Director, leading the School's Education and Student Recruitment activities. This experience has provided him with valuable insights into student recruitment, program design, quality assurance, and enhancement.
  • Roles at Keele Business School: Prior to joining Newcastle University Business School, Matthew held various key positions at Keele Business School, including:
  • Director of International Partnerships (2009-2014): Matthew was responsible for fostering partnerships with international institutions, promoting global collaboration, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas across borders.
  • Director of Learning and Teaching (2014-2016): In this role, Matthew focused on enhancing the learning experience for students, ensuring quality in teaching methods, and promoting effective pedagogical approaches.
  • Acting Director of Research (2016-17): As the Acting Director of Research, Matthew contributed to the advancement of knowledge and academic excellence within the institution.
  • Previous Work Experience: Prior to joining Keele Business School, Matthew worked at the Centre for Labour Market Studies, University of Leicester.



Teaching

Matthew has over 15 years of experience teaching within three major UK Business schools. His teaching is informed by his research and themed around Human aspects of Organisations, Work and Employment. He has taught on Business, Management and Human Resource Management programmes at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and MBA levels.


Programme Leadership

  • Management in Context
  • Critical Perspectives on Management Research
  • Human Resource Management
  • Ethnography
  • Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • People and Organizations
  • Social Theory at Work
  • Comparative Business Cultures


Contribution to

  • Advanced research methods
  • Happiness and Wellbeing
  • Human Resource Management
  • Ethnography
  • Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • People and Organizations
  • Social Theory at Work
  • Comparative Business Cultures


Distance Learning tutor, design and delivery of module material for taught Doctorate in Social Science

  • Distance Learning tutor, design and delivery of module material for Taught Doctorate Social Science
  • MSc Training; MSc Training and HRM; MSc Performance Management,
  • Diploma in Training and HRM
  • Certificate of Training Practice


Supervision Experience


Completed PhD Supervisions in the areas of

  • Exploration of the identities of the young male workers (ESRC Funded)
  • The impact of New Public Management on UK Universities.
  • Knowledge Management in the UK pharmaceutical Sector.
  • The Civil Service – from model employer to modernised state.
  • The Contribution of Steven Cheung, Joseph Stiglitz and the Development of Contract Theory.
  • A Study of Green Fields Sites Within Royal Mail.
  • Organizational Culture in the UK Banking Industry.
  • Tacit knowledge, time and practice in two dementia services: an ethnography


PhD External Examiner:

  • Technology at work and domestic labour: A critical exploration of gender, class, and work-life articulation
  • A relation approach to Female Manager’ Identity Construction: Narratives from a case in the UK, Higher Education Sector.DSocSci External Examiner:
  • How do developing market professionals engage in international Communities of Practice.
  • The impact of organisational culture on the management of employee talent


Research

Matthew's research initially focused on the growth of the service sector, the implications this has for experiences of work, and was characterised by his use of ethnographic techniques to gain an immersive insight into the world of work and its futures. His research interests have developed to explore the following themes:


COVID-19 and the Workplace:

In the wake of the global pandemic, Matthew has been examining the profound impact of COVID-19 on the workplace. His research in this area explores how businesses have adapted to new challenges, implemented remote work strategies, and addressed the well-being of their employees as they adapt and return to work from illness.


Call Centres and 'New' Forms of Work:

As communication landscapes evolve, so too do the dynamics of call centres and other emerging forms of work. Matthew's research offers insights into how technological advancements, changing consumer behaviour, and the rise of remote work have reshaped the call center industry and the broader landscape of service work.


Employee Branding:

Globally competitive job markets mean attracting and retaining top talent is a constant struggle for organisations. Matthew's expertise in employee branding helps companies craft compelling employer identities, enabling them to stand out and attract the right talent while fostering a sense of loyalty among existing employees. His work also provides insights into where employee branding can go wrong and how to avoid this.


Financial Services and Mis-selling:

Drawing from in-depth ethnographic research, Matthew sheds light on the complexities of financial services, the pervasive impact, and implications of mis-selling practices. His work helps both businesses and consumers understand the nuances of the financial industry and the impact of unethical conduct.


Human Resource Management (Recruitment, Selection, Retention, Retirement):

Matthew's research in human resource management delves into the critical stages of the employee lifecycle. From identifying the best recruitment and selection practices to ensuring employee retention and successful retirement transitions, his work empowers businesses to build robust and sustainable workforces.


Qualitative Research Methods, Especially Ethnography:

With a deep appreciation for qualitative research, particularly ethnography, Matthew employs immersive and holistic methodologies to uncover profound insights. His innovative research approach enriches the understanding of various workplace dynamics and yields fresh perspectives on modern work practices.


Work, Employment, and Social Inclusion:

Matthew's commitment to social inclusion is clear in his research on work and employment. By examining issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, he advocates for fair and inclusive practices that benefit individuals and organizations alike. Matthew has a particular interest in the operation of labour markets and transition into work for jobseekers.

Publications