Michelle gained her PhD in Economic Psychology from Exeter University and is a Chartered Psychologist specialising in researching health and wellbeing in the workplace. Prior to joining the Business School in 2011, Michelle was Associate Director of The Work Foundation and Programme Leader of the Health and Wellbeing at Work unit. Her post as head of a team of researchers and organisation development consultants saw her lead multiple projects with high impact across industry and government policy. One of her final projects was leading a multi-organisation team that provided the evidence base for the Boorman Review into the health and wellbeing of employees of one of the world’s largest employers: the NHS.
Since joining the Business School Michelle has continued to focus on wellbeing in the workplace, exploring the roles of resilience, mindfulness and social identity. Her last project involved evaluating the impact of a large scale mindfulness intervention in the Kenyan Prison System. In 2017 Michelle gained Associate Fellow status of the British Psychological Society based on her contributions to research and impact in health and wellbeing in industry.
Michelle’s latest role explores the dynamics of networks within the workplace, leadership, performance and wellbeing.
Michelle works part-time as a member of the Business School and outside of work enjoys spending time with her young family.
Qualifications
- BSc
- MSc
- PhD
- CPsychol
- AFBPsS
Research interests
- Wellbeing in the workplace
- Leadership and performance
- Social identity
- Networks
Research projects
- Political skills and changes in networks
- Leadership and health in the workplace
- Leadership and health networks
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Armstrong K, Bailey D, De Ruyter A, Mahdon M, Thomas H (2008). Auto plant closures, policy responses and labour market outcomes: a comparison of MG Rover in the UK and Mitsubishi in Australia.
Policy Studies,
29(3), 343-355.
Abstract:
Auto plant closures, policy responses and labour market outcomes: a comparison of MG Rover in the UK and Mitsubishi in Australia
This paper provides a preliminary comparative longitudinal analysis of the impact on workers made redundant due to the closure of the Mitsubishi plant in Adelaide and the MG Rover plant in Birmingham. Longitudinal surveys of ex-workers from both firms were undertaken over a 12-month period in order to assess the process of labour market adjustment. In the Mitsubishi case, given the skills shortage the state of Adelaide was facing, together with the considerable growth in mining and defence industries, it would have been more appropriate if policy intervention had been redirected to further training or re-skilling opportunities for redundant workers. This opportunity was effectively missed and as a result more workers left the workforce, most notably for retirement, than could have otherwise been the case. The MG Rover case was seen as a more successful example of policy intervention, with greater funding assistance available and targeted support available, and with more emphasis on re-training needs to assist adjustment. However, despite the assistance offered and the rhetoric of successful adjustment in both cases, the majority of workers have nevertheless experienced deterioration in their circumstances - particularly in the Australian case where casual and part-time work were often the only work that could be obtained. Even in the UK case, where more funding assistance was offered, a majority of workers reported a decline in earnings and a rise in job insecurity. This suggests that a reliance on the flexible labour market is insufficient to promote adjustment, and that more active policy intervention is needed especially in regard to further up-skilling. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.
Abstract.
DOI.
Mahoney MS, Kemp S, Webley P (2005). Factors in lay preferences for government or private supply of services.
Journal of Economic Psychology,
26(1), 73-87.
DOI.
Chapters
de Ruyter A, Bailey D, Mahdon M (2010). Changing lanes or stuck in the slow lane? Employment precariousness and labour market status of mg rover workers four years after closure. In (Ed) Globalization and Precarious Forms of Production and Employment: Challenges for Workers and Unions, 214-229.
Publications by year
2010
de Ruyter A, Bailey D, Mahdon M (2010). Changing lanes or stuck in the slow lane? Employment precariousness and labour market status of mg rover workers four years after closure. In (Ed) Globalization and Precarious Forms of Production and Employment: Challenges for Workers and Unions, 214-229.
2008
Armstrong K, Bailey D, De Ruyter A, Mahdon M, Thomas H (2008). Auto plant closures, policy responses and labour market outcomes: a comparison of MG Rover in the UK and Mitsubishi in Australia.
Policy Studies,
29(3), 343-355.
Abstract:
Auto plant closures, policy responses and labour market outcomes: a comparison of MG Rover in the UK and Mitsubishi in Australia
This paper provides a preliminary comparative longitudinal analysis of the impact on workers made redundant due to the closure of the Mitsubishi plant in Adelaide and the MG Rover plant in Birmingham. Longitudinal surveys of ex-workers from both firms were undertaken over a 12-month period in order to assess the process of labour market adjustment. In the Mitsubishi case, given the skills shortage the state of Adelaide was facing, together with the considerable growth in mining and defence industries, it would have been more appropriate if policy intervention had been redirected to further training or re-skilling opportunities for redundant workers. This opportunity was effectively missed and as a result more workers left the workforce, most notably for retirement, than could have otherwise been the case. The MG Rover case was seen as a more successful example of policy intervention, with greater funding assistance available and targeted support available, and with more emphasis on re-training needs to assist adjustment. However, despite the assistance offered and the rhetoric of successful adjustment in both cases, the majority of workers have nevertheless experienced deterioration in their circumstances - particularly in the Australian case where casual and part-time work were often the only work that could be obtained. Even in the UK case, where more funding assistance was offered, a majority of workers reported a decline in earnings and a rise in job insecurity. This suggests that a reliance on the flexible labour market is insufficient to promote adjustment, and that more active policy intervention is needed especially in regard to further up-skilling. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.
Abstract.
DOI.
2005
Mahoney MS, Kemp S, Webley P (2005). Factors in lay preferences for government or private supply of services.
Journal of Economic Psychology,
26(1), 73-87.
DOI.
Awards and Honours
- Academic funding includes:
- ESRC Impact Acceleration Awards for Mindful Leader project
- ESRC grant to follow up MG Rover workers: health and wellbeing following unemployment. Grant with University of Birmingham
- ESRC funding for PhD and MSc
External positions
Invited lectures
- Work and Wellbeing, Keynote presentation, RSA winter conference, London, UK
- Innovation in Absence Management, Public Policy Exchange, London, UK
- The Serendipity of Interaction, OECD, Paris, France
- Managing Absence: Health and Well-being, Association of Colleges, London, UK
- Changing workforce: Implications for mental health, Scottish Mental Health Commission 10th anniversary, Glasgow, UK
- Leading for Change Social change and leadership practitioner workshop, SCIE, UK
