Keith Townsend

Professor Keith Townsend is a Professor of Employment Relations and Human Resources at Griffith University's Department of Management within the Business School. He holds a PhD and B.Commerce (1st Class Honours) from Griffith University. His research focuses on frontline management, employee voice mechanisms, human resource management systems, and workplace well-being, with particular attention to mental health in high-risk industries like construction and emergency services.

Education:

• PhD in Management, Griffith University (2005)
• B.Commerce (1st Class Honours), Griffith University

Research Interests:

• Frontline manager roles and leadership challenges
• Employee voice and organizational communication
• HRM system implementation and effectiveness
• Mental health and well-being in construction/emergency sectors
• Flexible work arrangements and telework dynamics

Funded Research Highlights:

• ARC Discovery Project (2023-2026): Re-Theorising Employee Voice in Times of Change
• ARC Linkage Project (2016-2021): Improving People Management Systems in Emergency Services
• MATES in Construction Consultancies: Mental health programs and suicide prevention strategies

Advising & Grants:

• Supervised over 10 doctoral students focusing on HRM implementation, frontline management, and workplace well-being
• Total grant funding exceeding $1.2M AUD from ARC, industry partners, and government bodies

Labs/Teams: Active member of Griffith's Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, collaborating on projects addressing psychosocial hazards, construction industry mental health, and emergency services HRM challenges.