Personal Statement

Harriet is Professor and Head of Knowledge Exchange, working in the Centre of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Bath Spa University. Harriet leads on initiatives that bridge academia and industry through meaningful partnerships, and helps to support pathways for academics, students, and industry leaders to collaborate.

She's passionate about working with business, consultancy, community engagement, and social impact, and enjoys cultivating partnerships that address real-world challenges.

As Head of Knowledge Exchange, Harriet is broadly responsible for fostering an environment where knowledge exchange can thrive, ultimately drawing together academia and the wider community for lasting, positive change. 

Harriet also works at BiBO, a placemaking agency in Wiltshire, as Head of Visual Engagement. This has been set up as a Knowledge Exchange Partnership with Bath Spa University. At BiBO, Harriet works with organisations and developers to support their public engagement strategy. 

With a background in sociology and organisation studies and 19 years’ experience in higher education, Harriet’s research focuses on organisational space, artefacts, and the material world of work. She has an expertise in qualitative research methods including innovative visual methodologies, specifically, participant-led photography.

Harriet has led research and consultancy projects with a variety of public and private sector organisations, including Argent LLP, the RFU, the Environment Agency, Stride Treglown, and ISG. Harriet’s research has been published in leading journals including Human Relations, Organizational Research Methods, and Management Learning. Harriet was recently nominated as ‘Woman of Influence 2024’ by The Planner Magazine and her project with Argent LLP ‘Picturing Places’ was shortlisted for The Planning Awards in the Engagement category. 

Academic qualifications

  • University of Bath, PhD in Organisation Studies
  • University of the West of England, PG Cert Higher Education with distinction
  • University of Bath, MSc Management with merit
  • University of Southampton, BSc (Hons) Sociology with commendation

Professional memberships

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy    
  • British Academy of Management
  • Chartered Association of Business Schools
  • International Visual Sociological Association    
  • Standing Conference of Organizational Symbolism 

Other external roles

  • Head of Visual Engagement, BiBO
  • Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Creative Methods
  • Advisory Board, Journal of Biophilic Design.

Areas of expertise

  • Knowledge exchange
  • Consultancy
  • Executive education and CPD
  • Working with business
  • Publishing and writing research papers and industry articles
  • Public engagement
  • Placemaking
  • Workplace and space
  • Visual methodologies

Industry presentations

I am regularly invited to give presentations, workshops, and podcasts for a range of industry audiences. A selection of recent contributions is given below, including those in the built environment, legal, leisure and sports, education, and technology sectors:

  • The Bristol Business Improvement District – ‘The Future of Work’ 
  • Workplace Trends – ‘It’s a piece of cake – hybrid working practices in the post-pandemic world’ 
  • Workplace Trends – ‘Dens and Social Spaces in Higher Education’ 
  • Female Edge – ‘What Workplaces Say About Who We Are’ 
  • RFU, Women and Girls Rugby - women’s lived experiences of rugby facilities in England
  • Workplace Geeks - ‘The Other 90%: A Toolkit for Living in a New Building’ 
  • Linklaters, London - ‘Living in a Material World’ 
  • FutureSource Consulting LAVNCH EMEA Event - ‘A Shortt Story of Space at Work’ 
  • Linklaters, London – Training and Development Team - ‘Workspace post-Covid-19’ 
  • The Working Parent Company, London - ‘Returning to work post-Covid-19’ 
  • The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel ‘Phenomenal Women Series’ - ‘Working from home during Covid-19’
  • Maverick AV - ‘Meet without travel’ 
  • Telford Education Schools Show - ‘Education spaces – what are we learning about teaching and learning spaces of the future?’ 
  • Ralph Allen School, Bath - ‘Dress in the workplace’ 
  • Gastfreundschafft, Germany - invited consultant to scope future research projects with Bristol Business School staff and students
  • Federation of Small Businesses ‘Women in Business’ Event: ‘Identity and Self-leadership in the Workplace’ 
  • The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel ‘Phenomenal Women Series’: ‘Dress in the Workplace’ 
  • Maverick AV, London - ‘The corners of work – the significance of liminal spaces in the office’ 
  • Armadillo, Bath/ Bristol - ‘Pre-occupancy evaluation of a new office’ 
  • NatWest ESpark, Bristol - ‘How workspace creates workplace culture’.

Media coverage

  • Facilities Management Journal – ‘Learning our Lessons' Magazine Feature 
  • Ideal Home Magazine – ‘Do you want your WFH days to be more productive? Add art to your walls’ Magazine interview 
  • BBC Radio 4 - ‘Thinking Allowed’ with Laurie Taylor - ‘The Office’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001020w Radio interview 
  • Bristol 24/7 - ‘When Bristol’s staff return to the office, do not be preoccupied with productivity’ Magazine interview 
  • Evening Standard: Homes and Property - ‘Working from home: How to create a stylish yet motivating study room or home office’ Newspaper interview.

Industry awards and nominations

  • Property Week – Inspiring Women in Property Awards 2024 - Nominated for the ‘Inspiring Women in Property Awards’ in the innovator of the year category 
  • The Planner Magazine – Women of Influence 2024 - Listed as a ‘Woman of Influence’ in the academic category for 2024
  • The Planning Awards 2023 - Project nominated for a placemaking industry award: ‘Picturing Places’ with Argent LLP.