Emma Thirkell

Dr. Emma Thirkell is a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, renowned for her innovative educational tools and research contributions. Key roles include:

• Programme Leadership for Senior People Professional Higher Apprenticeship
• Co-creator of #HREscapeRoom and The HR Creative podcast
• Active member of CIPD Northern Policy Forum

Her research focuses on flexible working, work-life balance, talent resourcing, and organizational change, with pedagogical advancements in gamification and technology-enabled teaching. Notable awards include Lecturer of the Year and Distinguished Teaching Fellowship, reflecting her excellence in education. Emma has supervised Carly Richards' PhD on dual-career parents' work-life thriving (started 2025).

Key publications span 2014-2023, addressing Lean HR integration, post-pandemic pedagogy, and hybrid work principles. She led Teaching & Learning Enhancement projects and collaborated with Kingston and Birmingham Universities on AI Literacy Study Assessment Tool development. Invited to House of Lords policy event in March 2024, highlighting her influence in public policy shaping.