Gerardine Matthews-Smith

Professor Gerardine Matthews-Smith is a distinguished academic at Edinburgh Napier University's Business School, where she serves as founder and Director of the Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement (CMREPE), Lead for the Scottish Armed Forces Evidence and Research (SAFE&R) Hub, and University Research Lead for Military Research. Her interdisciplinary work spans the School of Health and Social Care and The Business School, with a strong focus on collaborative research in armed forces studies and knowledge exchange across regional, national, and international contexts.

Her research interests center on armed forces studies, military transition, human and organisational development, management, wellbeing, and veterans mental health. Matthews-Smith has developed a robust research program examining military transitions, veteran wellbeing, and organizational development, with particular expertise in phenomenological research methods. Her work consistently bridges academic research with practical applications, influencing policy and practice through strong relationships with military organizations, government bodies, and voluntary sector partners.

Her publication record demonstrates significant contributions across military studies, organizational behavior, and human resource development. Recent work reveals a strong focus on military transition experiences, veteran mental health, and organizational development within military contexts, alongside continued contributions to human resource development theory and practice. Her research shows increasing interdisciplinary collaboration and practical policy impact.

• Short-listed for ENU Above and Beyond in Innovation and Research Category
• Nominated for Times Higher Supervisor of the Year Award (twice)
• HRD Academy of Human Resource Development – Monica M. Lee Research Excellence Award
• Fellow of Higher Education Academy
• Fellow of the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health visiting for Scotland

Professor Matthews-Smith has supervised over 48 doctoral students to completion and currently mentors several doctoral candidates, primarily as Director of Studies. Her substantial research portfolio exceeds £3 million, including major grants from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, Veterans Foundation, and Scottish Funding Council. She serves on numerous advisory panels including the Armed Forces and Veterans Academic/Research Advisor to the Scottish Government's Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, Chair of the Operational Group for The Scottish Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance, and member of the Edinburgh Military Education Committee.

She leads the Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement (CMREPE), which has established Scotland's first dedicated military research center, and the Scottish Armed Forces Evidence and Research (SAFE&R) Hub, creating vital connections between academic research and military practice to improve outcomes for service members, veterans, and their families.