Meet Dr Jonathan Lord, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management here at Salford Business School.
Jonathan’s journey into academia first started as fascination with how work, employment law and organisational behaviour shape people’s lives. This fascination led him to collaborate with academics, charities and governmental bodies on research projects to create fair and healthy working in the workplace.
Here at Salford, he brings curiosity by encouraging students to debate real-world employment tribunals and discuss how we can employ better working conditions for working people. He also works on his podcast and Substack, We Can Work It Out, to bring his innovative ideas to the wider population.
How did you get into academia as a career path?
My route into academia was not a straight line but the result of a growing fascination with how work, employment law, and organisational behaviour shape people’s lives. I started out in human resource (HR) practice mainly in the rail industry which is heavily unionised; dealing first-hand with issues around Trade Unions, employee voice, dispute resolution, and organisational change.
Over nearly 20 years in industry, I realised that the questions I was asking about fairness, power and the future of work, were best explored through research and teaching. That awareness drew me into doctoral study (I had a study break for eight years after my masters) and ultimately into a wonderful career that allows me to interrogate theory and practice while helping others develop their own critical insights.
Why did you choose to work at the University of Salford?
My dad was a lecturer at the technical college, so I was aware of the culture and characters and choosing the University of Salford felt like a natural progression.
Most importantly, I loved Salford’s deep commitment to applied, socially engaged real world teaching and research which resonated strongly with me. Salford Business School’s focus on real-world impact, partnerships with industry and widening participation created an environment where academic work genuinely reaches and supports diverse communities. It’s a place where teaching is connected directly to practice and where research can influence policy, workforces and working lives.
What’s the best thing about being an academic at Salford?
What I value most about being an academic at Salford is the sense of purpose that runs through everything we do. I work with brilliant colleagues who care about improving work and society, and I supervise undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, who are passionate about making meaningful contributions to society. The University’s culture encourages collaboration, curiosity, and experimentation, whether that’s developing new teaching methods, designing innovative assessments, or launching interdisciplinary research projects.
Can you tell us about any of your career highlights to-date?
Across my career, there have been many highlights, but a few stand out.
I’ve had opportunities to present my research around the world to other academics, which is both scary and the greatest privilege of being an academic. As a postgraduate research director, supporting doctoral researchers through to completion is deeply rewarding, and leading the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme and shaping its strategic direction has been another major milestone.
Also, my research collaborations with labour unions, charities, and government bodies, particularly working on the P&O Ferries case, employment tribunals, maritime labour practices and digital transformation in the third sector, have connected scholarship with real-world policy debates.
Additionally, contributing evidence to public consultations and appearing in media discussions around labour rights and employment law have been proud moments too, but also very scary when you’re live on BBC World News.
What’s your current research focused on?
My current research focuses on several strands that intersect around work, fairness, and organisational decision-making. These include the evolution of employment tribunals, the impact of government labour-policy reforms, digital HR systems in charities, and the use of decision-making tools in recruitment and compensation. Also, I’m exploring historical industrial relations episodes through the ‘We Can Work It Out’ Substack and the Better Working Lives Research Cluster that I co-chair with Dr Vicki Harvey.
Do you have any published papers we can read?
I have published on topics such as employment tribunals, discrimination in the workplace, maritime labour disputes, and employment law reform. I’ve been commissioned to write a book about employment tribunals and how they are now prominent aspect of culture wars in the UK.
You can read my latest research on our website.
And finally, the all important question, where in Manchester or Salford is best to grab a coffee?
For me, nothing beats a trip to the Salford Museum and Art Gallery for a strong Americano. The place is a treasure trove and a lovely place to meet colleagues.