Hugh Cook

Dr. Hugh Cook is an Associate Professor in Employment Relations and Human Resource Management (HRM) at the Leeds University Business School, part of the University of Leeds. He holds roles as the Departmental Director of Student Education and Workload Coordinator within the People, Work and Employment Department. His academic career spans over a decade, including roles as a Research Fellow, Lecturer, and Programme Director for HRM-related degrees. Dr. Cook’s research focuses on strategic HRM systems, skill/knowledge transfer, and emotional labor in sectors like healthcare, finance, and emergency services. Notable projects include studies on junior doctor morale, firefighter discretion, and union strategies during economic downturns.

His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and reports, including CERIC Policy Reports on union bargaining and junior doctor morale. He has secured significant research funding, such as a £100k+ Knowledge Transfer Partnership on emotional labor in finance. Dr. Cook has supervised 11 doctoral students to completion and is involved in ongoing PhD supervision. His teaching excellence is recognized through Dean’s Prizes (2012, 2013) and 100% student satisfaction ratings. External roles include serving on the British Universities Industrial Relations Association executive committee and peer-reviewing for journals like Human Relations.

Professional memberships include the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE). He has contributed to policy debates through media outlets like The Conversation and Employee Benefits, discussing flexible benefits and junior doctor challenges. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, emphasizing coherent HRM implementation for organizational productivity.