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Staff Profile

Dr Rebecca Casey

Co Director of Student Recruitment

  • Telephone: +44 191 208 1679
  • Address: Newcastle University Business School, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4SE
Background

Profile

I collaborate with the Associate Dean of Education to lead student recruitment efforts for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, ensuring the School meets its enrollment targets effectively.


As the former Degree Programme Director for the full-time MBA, I managed a high-profile, externally accredited academic program that spanned multiple schools. My responsibilities included enhancing organisational, structural, and cultural aspects to achieve high levels of student and staff satisfaction. In July 2023, we successfully secured external re-accreditation for the maximum period of five years without any conditions.


My primary research interest lies in Realising Digital Value. My work contributes to and builds upon contemporary theories through a combination of qualitative methods (including ethnography, observational, and longitudinal case studies) and quantitative approaches (such as surveys of NHS Trusts and Association for Project Management Corporates). Additionally, my research explores the sociotechnical and material nature of digital innovation, particularly in the context of technical repair work. This research has significantly impacted both the public (health and social care) and private (energy) sectors by facilitating improved approaches to realising value from digital transformation.


Roles and Responsibilities

  • Co-Director for Student Recruitment
  • Former Degree Programme Director for the full-time MBA


Qualifications

  • BSc and MA in Business and Information Technology with First class honors from Trinity College Dublin
  • MSc in Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship with Distinction from Newcastle University Business School
  • PhD in Information Systems Management from Northumbria University
  • The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly ICSA) Foundation Programme


Previous Positions

  • Lecturer in Information Systems and Project Management, Northumbria University
  • Research Fellow, Business School, Durham University
  • Research Internship, Centre for Knowledge, Innovation, Technology and Enterprise
  • School Manager, Trinity College Dublin


Awards*

  • Nominated for Teaching Award and Supervision Award from Newcastle University's Education Awards
  • Teaching Award from Northumbria University
  • Awarded a competitive bursary from the Northeast Regional Development Agency to complete an industrial project and study for the award of MSc in Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship at Newcastle University Business School. My research examined the effects of new workplace technologies on the work of technical repair engineers. The results of this project were presented in a report to the participating organisation and shortlisted for a regional award. A new nationwide coaching programme was implemented as a direct result of the research.
  • Rising Star Award, North East Recognition Awards
  • Runner Up, Blueprint Business Awards
  • Winner, TEDCO Business Awards

* (for research awards please see Research)


Memberships

  • Member of the British Computer Society (BCS)
  • Associate Member of the Association for Project Management (APM)
  • Former Member of the APM Benefits and Value Management Specific Interest Group and former co-opted member of the APM North East Branch

 

Google Scholar: Click here.






Research

Current Work

I am currently working with health and care professionals to co-create a democratised and relational approach for Realising Digital Value from investments in digital transformation initiatives.


Main Expertise

My current research focuses on evaluating digital technologies, understanding emerging work practices, and realising digital value. This research has led to the development and implementation of improved approaches, including the creation of a Realising Digital Value Playbook.


I am an active member of the Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Business research community at the Business School.


Funding Awarded

  • £208k Innovate UK for a Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Ethical Healthcare Limited to develop and sustain a management capability in realising digital value.
  • £5k from Digital Innovation in the Curricula Fund in 2023 to co-design and deliver a Digital Service Jam with Thoughtworks and PROTO as part of the new Digital Transformation for Social Good module on the MSc in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability programme.
  • £5k from the SAGE Faculty Business Engagement Fund in 2023 to test and evaluate the use of the Realising Digital Value Playbook.
  • £5k from Digital Innovation in the Curricula Fund in 2022 to re-design the Digital Business module on the full-time MBA programme to incorporate contemporary approaches to digital transformation, including no-code/low-code applications development.
  • £2.3k from the HaSS Higher Education Innovation Fund in 2022 to develop an impact programme to support the dissemination, adoption and evolution of the Realising Digital Value Playbook.
  • £5k from the Association for Project Management in 2021 for the second phase of a research project investigating the enablers and barriers to adoption of benefits realisation management practices amongst APM corporate members.
  • £5k from the Institute for Social Sciences Pioneers Fund in 2020 to co-develop a Realising Digital Value Playbook.
  • £5.6k ESRC Innovation Fellowship in 2019 to undertake a twenty-day secondment with the Association for Project Management to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveys in development knowledge and understanding about benefits realisation management practices.
  • £8.7k from the ESRC Impact Acceleration Award to co-develop a digital realisation strategy and toolkit specifically around Open Source innovations.
  • £5k from NHS Digital match funding to support the co-development of a digital realisation strategy and toolkit specifically around Open Source innovations.


Future Research

I am keen to work with organisations interested in developing their capability around realising value from digital transformation.


Postgraduate Supervision

I currently supervise six PhD students. Research topics include technology innovation, consumer relationships with artificial intelligence, identity work in policing, agile project management in the public sector and enterprise risk management.


Esteem Indicators

  • Member of the British Computer Society
  • Member of the Association of Project Management (APM)
  • Prior member of the APM Benefits Management & Value Special Interest Group. Please see blog at https://www.apm.org.uk/blog/investing-in-change-top-tips-for-delivering-value-for-money/
  • Reviewer for Work, Employment and Society and Information Management
  • Guest Speaker at HMRC
  • Co-development of engagement, cross-fertilisation and enrichment activities with the National Innovation Centre for Data


Industry Relevance

Current and past research has directly impacted the work and organisation of professionals involved in digital transformation. Predominantly in the public sector but my research and impact extends to the private industry including a national utility company, an accountancy practice and management consultancy.


Media Appearances

Open to commenting on digital transformation projects, particularly in the public sector. I spoke about the development of the NHS Covid-19 App in the Business School's Podcast series in 2020.


You can find me quizzing the Directors of Strategy and Technology at the National Innovation Centre for Data as part of the Enterprise Academy Insights Talks on YouTube.

Teaching

Main Expertise


  • Director of Student Recruitment


I am module leader on the following postgraduate modules:


  • NBS8628 Digital Transformation for Social Good
  • NBS8263 Realising Digital Value


I am a Guest Lecturer for the University of Bristol's MSc in Healthcare Management.


Publications