About
Dr. Benjamin Hopkins is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management at the Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. His research focuses on work and employment, with particular expertise in migration, non-standard work, food manufacturing, and public sector labor issues. He previously held academic positions at Aberystwyth University and the University of Leicester, where he was promoted to Associate Professor before joining the University of Birmingham in 2019.
Education:
- PhD in Industrial Relations, University of Warwick
- MA in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, University of Warwick
- BA in Economics and Management, University of Oxford
- PGCTHE, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Dr. Hopkins’ research centers on workplace experiences, especially at the intersection of migration and precarious employment. His work explores temporary work, wage inequality, transitions for young workers, and conditions in the public sector. He has contributed to the BARSOP project and investigates current issues such as Brexit’s impact on food manufacturing and burnout in police and prison services.
His recent publications span topics including emotional labor in policing, migrant work ethics, temporary employment satisfaction, and absence management in manufacturing. These works reflect a consistent focus on labor precarity, workforce diversity, and the socio-political dimensions of employment across both private and public sectors.
Scientific Recognition and Media Engagement:
- Research funded by ESRC, European Commission, UnionLearn, and other institutions
- Featured in BBC One, S4C, and Channel 4
- Contributor to The Conversation
- Work reported in over 350 media outlets including The Times, The Telegraph, People Management, and Russia Today
Dr. Hopkins has supervised two PhD students to completion and welcomes new PhD candidates in areas such as non-standard work, migration, food manufacturing, voluntary work, and public sector employment. He currently co-ordinates the International Human Resource Management module for MSc International Business and MSc HRM programs.
He is an active member of the Organisation, Work and Employment research group and has conducted research with affiliations at the University of California. His work bridges academic rigor with real-world policy and media impact.
