Dr Alan Johnston

Teaching

I have a broad spectrum of teaching experience across a range of disciplines. I mainly focus my teaching on HR, Management and Leadership based modules.

At present, I am Module Director for Dissecting Work and Organisational Psychology (Year 3 full time undergraduate) and Organisations in Context, People in Organisations, Personal and Professional Development and Work Based Learning 2 on our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. I also lead the delivery of the Research Methods component of the Management Report, and teach on the Manging Human Rseources module.

I have previously taught across a range of modules at several HEIs and FECs and undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and have taught on a range of professional management and bespoke programmes.

I have extensive experience of supervising dissertations at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Recently, I have been teaching across modules such as:

• Employee Resourcing for Effective Organisations - Level 5 - BA(Hons) Human Resource Management
• Developing Talent in Organisations - Level 5 - BA(Hons) Human Resource Management
• Managing Organisational Development and Design - Level 6 - BA(Hons) Human Resource Management
• Managing Employee Performance and Reward in a Competitive Environment - MSc Human Resource Management
• Employment Relations in the Contemporary Organisation - MSc Human Resource Management
• Managing Learning and Development - MSc Human Resource Management
• Perspectives on People Management - - MSc Leadership and Management

Research

I am Co-Chair of the People in Employment Settings (PiES) Research Group and a member of the Higher Education Research Group (HERG).
My area of research interest focuses on people's behaviour. I am very keen to investigate (and to help others to understand) why people behave as they do in their workplace setting. A key area of this is appreciated through the lens of the psychological contract.

At present, I am focusing on applying ideas to educational settings and investigating academic staff's behaviour as semi-autonomous professionals. Other areas of interest include student motivation and approaches to learning, pedagogical approaches, scholarship development, and organisational change and development.

Research student supervision

I would welcome enquiries from potential research students working on Human Resource Management or Development; Organisational Development; Learning / Training and Development, and from the broad areas of Leadership and People Management.

Current PGR supervision

• The Impact of Leadership Psychological Capital within Further Education Culture. (Lead Supervisor)
• Learning is Jazz in the Classroom. (Lead Supervisor)
• An investigation into the objectivity illusion bias in discrimination, harassment and misconduct workplace investigations (Lead Supervisor)
• Evaluating environmental claim transparency throughout the lifecycle of green bonds: how trustworthy is the green is the green system? (Co-Supervisor)
• Physical non-fungible tokens (PNFTs) and their status as objects of value: A socio-historical analysis of ‘objects of value’ and ethnographic case study of Stoffeli® information distillates (Co-Supervisor)

Other esteem

I have been shortlisted for the Alan Moon (Best Paper) Prize at the UFHRD Annual International Conference, on two occasions:

• Johnston, A. (2023) Academic citizenship through the lens of the Psychological Contract. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Dublin, 7-9 June 2023
• Johnston, A. (2019) The impact of the psychological contract on academics’ discretionary effort. University Forum for Human Resource Development. Nottingham, 24-26 June 2019

In partnership with a colleague, I have been commissioned to write a book on Insider and Practitioner Research by Routledge

Grants/funding

• Awarded £1000 (UFHRD Research Honoraria – external) Two heads are better than one: Evaluating a dual approach to supporting degree apprentices in Higher Education with academic tutors and work-based tutors. – 2025/26
• Awarded £1000 (UFHRD Research Honoraria – external) The impact of gender and perceived social status on career trajectories within academic careers. – 2025/26
• Awarded £5,100 (QR funding – internal) Good Experience project research to inform the development of a Communication Charter, and its evaluation on behalf of Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. – 2024/25
• Awarded £500 (Student as Researcher – internal) for the project ‘The impact of gender and perceived social status on career trajectories within academic careers’ – 2023/24
• Awarded £2900 (Cross School Grant Primer Fund) for the theme ‘Disciplinary spaces in higher education, student identity and sense of belonging’ – 2023/24

Projects

Currently leading a Good Experience project research team to inform the development of a Communication Charter, and its evaluation on behalf of Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

Professional activities

Journal activities

I am the Associate Editor for 3 journals

• International Journal of HRD: Practice Policy and Research
• Journal of Further and Higher Education
• International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior
• Cogent Business and Management (HRM Section)

I am also Lead Guest Editor for a Special Issue of the International Journal of Human Resource Development: Practice, Policy and Research due for publication in late Autumn 2025 and a Special Issue of the Journal of Further and Higher Education due for publication in Autumn 2026.

I am a member of the Editorial Board for the American Journal of Management Science and Engineering and Current Human Resources and a member of the Early Career Review Board for the Leadership and Organizational Development Journal

I also review for several other journals including

• Education + Training
• Management Teaching Review
• Management in Education
• Industrial and Commercial Training
• Studies in Higher Education
• International Journal of Management Education
• Management Research Review
• Journal of Management Development

And have reviewed for International Conferences including

• British Academy of Management Conference
• Organisational Psychology Track papers – 2014, 2015 and 2016
• Leadership & Leadership Development Track papers – 2012 and 2014
• Academy of Human Resource Development Conference 2014, 2015 and 2016
• British Education Leadership Management and Administration Society Conference 2022, 2023 and 2024, 2025.

Academic/professional bodies

I hold membership in a number of professional bodies related to academia and professional practice, which I incorporate into the curriculum.

• British Academy of Management (BAM) – Member
• British Education Leadership Management and Administration Society (BELMAS) – Member
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – Member (MCMI)
• Higher Education Academy (HEA) – Senior Fellow (SFHEA)
• University Forum for Human Resource Development (UFHRD) – University Representative

I am currently a member of the Research Development Committee of the UFHRD. My role within this committee includes representation on the International Journal of Human Resource Development: Practice, Policy and Research. Board of Directors. I am formerly (2017-2022) the Chair of the Education and Learning Committee of the University Forum for Human Resource Development (UFHRD).

I am a member of the BELMAS Bursaries and Grants Awarding Committee responsible for the awards of Doctoral Bursaries and the Leadership and Practitioner Bursaries.

Alongside this, I am Co-convenor of the Post 16: Education Leadership and Management Research Group within BELMAS

I am also formerly (2016-2019) a member of the Regional Board (North East, Yorkshire and Humberside) of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). In this role, I sought to influence management and leadership development across the region to help improve business performance and operational effectiveness and efficiency in local, regional, national and international organisations.

External examining and quality assurance

I currently undertake external examining at two institutions within the UK. I have previously also been an external examiner at a number of UK institutions and one overseas in Gibraltar and have been the external panel member at the validation of awards of a number of UK Universities including collaborative provision with international partners.

External organisations and consultancy

I am currently working with the Integrated Care Board of North Yorkshire and Humber to improve communication systems. I have worked with Humberside Police in their implementation of the PEQ, and I have previously worked in conjunction with a range of employers and employer groups including York NHS Hospital Trust, the National Skills Academy for Financial Services, Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Chamber of Commerce, and the OMEGA Development Group. I have worked with a local Business start-up (Brewery) and was part of the organising committee of a local beer festival (Coptoberfest).

Other activities

Conference and event organisation

• Chair / Lead Organiser – UFHRD Annual Conference June 2026 to be held at York St John University
• Vice-Chair Organising Committee – LSA Annual Conference 8-10 July 2025 held at York St John University
• Lead Organiser – ‘Fear of Rejection: the minefield of the article review process - coping with the strain through the eyes of an ECR’. UFHRD Webinar. {online} 12 September 2024
• Organising Member – ‘Disciplinary spaces in Higher Education, student identity and sense of belonging'. Symposium – Higher Education Research Group. York St John University. 10 June 2024
• Leadership Challenges: Futures and Foresight. UFHRD Workshop. York St John University. 13 January 2017

I have undertaken commercial book reviews for renowned publishers including

• Routledge
• Pearson Education
• Sage
• MacMillan Publishers Ltd.

Publications

Journal articles

Johnston, A. (2025) Academic Citizenship Behaviour: A Bibliometric Analysis and Research Agenda. Higher Education: Evaluation and Development [in press]

Johnston, A. (2025) Academic citizenship through the lens of the Psychological Contract: A qualitative study of UK Business Schools. Applied Psychology Research 4 (1) 1773 https://doi.org/10.59400/apr1773

Johnston, A. and Davies, E. (2025) Academics’ Psychological Contract. Applying Discretionary Effort. Journal of Further and Higher Education. 49 (4) 524-538 https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2025.2467396

Johnston, L. and Johnston, A. (2025) Scholarly Activity building HE Experience in a FE Environment. Higher Education: Evaluation and Development [online first] https://doi.org/10.1108/HEED-02-2024-0010

Walsh, S. and Johnston, A. (2025) Building Resilience during Uncertainty: Leadership from within.  Administrative Sciences Research. [in press]

Johnston, A. (2024) Academic citizenship through the lens of the Psychological Contract: A qualitative study of UK Business Schools. Applied Psychology Research [in press]

Johnston, A. (2024) Manifesting the Academic Psychological Contract. Applied Psychology Research. 3 (1) 390 https://doi.org/10.59400/apr.v3i1.390

Johnston, A. and Johnston, L. (2024) Assessment for Employability: Is synoptic assessment the answer? Forum for Education Studies. 2 (2) 543 https://doi.org/10.59400/fes.v2i2.543

Johnston, A. and Johnston, L. (2024) Considering the mystery of professionalism: Further Education in the UK. Forum for Education. 2 (2) 1209 https://doi.org/10.59400/fes.v2i2.1209

Johnston, L. and Johnston, A. (2024) Reforming Vocational Education in the UK: The role of Vocational Education.  Forum for Education Studies 2(3) 1488 https://doi.org/10.59400/fes.v2i3.1488

Marinotti, G. and Johnston, A. (2024) Leader ‘leadership’ perceptions within a Luxury Hotel environment. Human Resource Management and Services 6 (2) 3483 https://doi.org/10.18282/hrms.v6i2.3483

Mathew, R.C., Coombes, P.H., Cock, S., Johnston, A., Walsh, S. and Walker-Smith, L. (2024) Towards a ‘newer normal’? A bibliometric analysis examining organisational culture in the post-COVID higher education landscape in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Changes in Education [online first] https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023668

Walsh, S., Johnston, A. and Gabriel, L. (2024) Building Resilient Leadership: A study exploring Leadership Development during Uncertainty.  Human Resource Management and Services. 6 (2) 3474. https://doi.org/10.18282/hrms.v6i2.34.74 

Johnston, A., Cock, S., Walsh, S. and Healy, S. (2023) From there to here: Reflections on alternative journeys to a career in academia. International Journal of HRD: Practice, Policy and Research. ­7 (2) 19-37 http:dx.doi.org/10.2478/ijhrd-2023-0003  

Walsh, S. and Johnston, A. (2023) Volunteering during Covid-19: Leadership Matters – The case of Scrubs. Voluntary Sector Review. 14 3) 498-518 https://doi.org/10.1332/204080522X16546737814050

Bishop, G., Johnston, A. and Hemmings, M. (2022). Jazzing up the classroom. Reflections on developing a critical pedagogy in M level teaching.   International Journal of Management Education. 20 (2) 1-10

Johnston, A (2016) Motivation and the academic – where the drivers sit. Journal of Management Development. 35 (6) 765-777 https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-09-2015-0140

Johnston, A. (2014) Rigour in Research: Theory in the Research Approach. European Business Review. 26 (3) 206-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-09-2013-0115

Book Chapters

Johnston, A (2018) Thinking and Learning about Management, Leadership and the world of work.  In Johnston, A. (ed) Management and Leadership Custom Edition. Andover. Cengage Learning. pp 1-6

Johnston, A (2018) Understanding the Psychological Contract and the Challenge of the Individual. In Bishop, G. and Johnston, A.  (eds) Management: Self, People and Organization. Custom Edition. Andover. Cengage Learning. pp 201-209

Edited Books

Bishop, G. and Johnston, A.  (eds) (2018) Management: Self, People and Organization. Custom Edition. Andover. Cengage Learning

Johnston, A. (ed) (2018) Management and Leadership. Custom Edition. Andover. Cengage Learning

Book Reviews

Johnston, A. (2017) Review of “Raelin JA (ed.) Leadership-as-practice: Theory and application, Routledge: Abingdon, 2016.” In Management Learning. 48 (3) 370-372

Reports and consultancy

Noel P (ed) with Dearing, D., Holmes, J., Johnston, A., Quick, U. and Salter, S. (2009) Sustainability Project (2008-09) TQEF 4a:  Developing HE tutors within the FE Sector. University of Huddersfield.

Johnston, A. (2002) A Response to the Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership.  Warrington Collegiate.

Johnston, A., Cock, S., Walsh, S. and Mathew, R. (2024) Good Experience Project: Research and Evaluation to Inform the Development of a Communication Charter - Stage One Report: Literature Review and Analysis of Preliminary Data. Project Report. York St John University. (Unpublished) [online] Available at: https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11096/1/ICB%20Report%201.pdf

Symposium Workshop

Cock, S. and Johnston, A. (2024) PiES: Establishing a research group within a teaching focussed post-92 university. Innovate, Inspire, Lead: Transforming research culture symposium. Advance HE (online) 16 July

Poster Presentations

Johnston, A. (2013) The Psychological Contract and The Academic: A Review of the Literature. Society for Research into Higher Education: Newer Researchers Conference. Newport, 10^th December 2013.

Conferences and blogs

Conference Proceedings

Johnston, A. (2017) Working paper: The impact of the psychological contract on academics’ discretionary effort.  Proceedings of University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Lisbon, 2 599-610. Available at https://ufhrd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Proceedingsvolume2.pdf

Conference Presentations

Walsh, S., Johnston, A. and Mathew, R. (2025) Reflections on Competency Based Assessment and Skills Development for the Leisure Industry. Leisure Studies Association Conference. York 8-10 July 2025

Johnston, A. (2025) Contribution of HRD to social justice: A bibliometric analysis. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Belfast, 11-13 June 2025

Johnston, A., Cock, S., Walsh, S. and Mathew, R.C. (2025) Academics’ attachment with their Institution: A collaborative autoethnographic reflection in the “newer normal” context of emergent workplace norms in higher education. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Belfast, 11-13 June 2025

Mathew, R.C., Coombes, P.H., Cock, S., Walsh, S., Johnston, A. and Walker-Smith, L. (2024) The Impact of COVID-19 on Organisational Culture in UK Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Lisbon, 12-14 June 2024

Walsh, A. and Johnston, A. (2024) Navigating Chaos: The impact of Place Leadership on Volunteer Success in Crisis Response. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Lisbon, 12-14 June 2024

Johnston, A. (2023) Academic citizenship through the lens of the Psychological Contract. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Dublin, 7-9 June 2023 {shortlisted for Alan Moon (Best Paper) Prize}.

Johnston, A., Walsh, S., Healy, S. and Undugodage, K. (2023) Understanding the motivation of peripheral teaching staff and their commitment to the organisation. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Dublin, 7-9 June 2023

Johnston, A., Walsh, S. and Walker-Smith, L. (2023) The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Academics’ attachment within their institution: Employee Engagement and Academic Identity. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Dublin, 7-9 June 2023

Walsh, S. and Johnston, A. (2023) Leading from within during Disruptive Times: The Role of Place Leadership.  Workplace Behaviour Research Centre Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds Mini-Conference on Thriving in Challenging Times, Leeds, 28-29 September 2023

Walsh, S., Johnston, A. and Gabriel, L. (2023) Building Resilient Leadership: A study exploring self-identified Leadership Development. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Dublin, 7-9 June 2023

Johnston, A. (2022) The manifestation of the Psychological Contract within the academic role. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Sheffield (virtual), 8-10 June 2022

Walsh, S. and Johnston, A. (2022) The Accidental Leader: A Leadership Study Exploring Volunteer Activity during Covid-19. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference. Sheffield (virtual), 8-10 June 2022

Johnston, A. (2019) The impact of the psychological contract on academics’ discretionary effort. University Forum for Human Resource Development. Nottingham, 24-26 June 2019 {shortlisted for Alan Moon (Best Paper) Prize}.

Johnston, A., Bishop, G. and Hemmings, M. (2019). Jazzing up the classroom. Developing a critical pedagogy in M level teaching. University Forum for Human Resource Development. Lisbon, Nottingham, 24-26 June 2019

Johnston, A. (2018) Academic Citizenship:  self-promotion or collegiality? YBS Showcase, York 2-3 September

Johnston, A., Bishop, G. and Hemmings, M. (2017). Jazzing up the classroom. Developing a critical pedagogy in M level teaching. British Academy of Management Conference, Coventry, 5-7 September.

Johnston, A., Nachmias, S. and Rajisinghe, D. (2017) Driving academic motivation – what brings us to the table? British Academy of Management Conference, Coventry, 5-7 September.

Sherratt, R. and Johnston, A. (2017) The Impact of the Reward Systems on employee motivation: The Case of a Department Store British Academy of Management Conference, Coventry, 5-7 September.

Johnston, A. (2017) The impact of the psychological contract on academics’ discretionary effort.  University Forum for Human Resource Development. Lisbon, 7-9 June 2017

Johnston, A., Bishop, G. and Hemmings, M. (2017). Developing a critical pedagogy in M level teaching. Talking about teaching: York St John Teaching and Learning Conference.  York. 20 January 2017

Nachmias, S., Johnston, A. and Meade, C. (2015) Migrant Workers and Human Resources Development Practices in the Hotel Sector: A case of Cyprus. University Forum for Human Resource Development. Cork, 3-5 June 2015.

Johnston, A. (2014) Are they ready? Approaches to learning of International Students progressing directly onto Honours level provision. Society for Research into Higher Education: Newer Researchers Conference. Newport, 9^th December 2014.

Johnston, A. (2014) Psychological Contract and Organisation fit: A symbiotic relationship? British Academy of Management Annual Conference. Belfast, 9-11 September 2014.

Johnston, A. (2014) Motivation and the Academic. Irish Academy of Management Annual Conference. Limerick, 4-5 September 2014.

Johnston, A. (2014) Developing HE tutors within the FE sector: The role of CPD, Scholarship and Research within Mixed Economy Colleges. University Forum for Human Resource Development. Edinburgh, 4-6 June 2014.

Johnston, A. (2013) Academics’ Psychological Contract and Discretionary Effort: A Review of the Literature. Society for Research into Higher Education: Newer Researchers Conference. Newport, 10^th December 2013.

Johnston, A. (2013) Academics’ Psychological Contract and Discretionary Effort.  BAM Doctoral Symposium, Research Conversation. Liverpool, 9^th September 2013.

Johnston, A. (2013) Developing Scholarly Activity to create a culture of HE in FE. School of Education: Research Conference, University of Huddersfield, 6^th March, 2013

Johnston, A. (2011) Developing Scholarly Activity to create a culture of HE in FE. Teaching & Learning Conference, York College, July, 2011

Johnston, A. and Dearing, D. (2010) Assessment Practice in HE in FE. Teaching & Learning Conference, York College, July, 2010

Johnston, A. and Dearing, D. (2009) Delivering HE in FE. Teaching & Learning Conference, York College, July, 2009

Johnston, A. and Rahmani, H. (2000) Integrating Commons Skills into the HNC/D. Regional Network Conference, University of Central Lancashire, November, 2000

Johnston, A. (2000), Introducing Key Skills 2000. College Conference, Hugh Baird College, February, 2000

Blogs

Cock, S., Johnston, A., Walsh, S. and Healy, S. (2024) Different backgrounds… shared uncertainties: How can universities support higher education staff with issues of imposter syndrome? Staff and Educational Development Association: The SEDA Blog- Supporting and leading educational change.  [online] https://thesedablog.wordpress.com/2024/09/04/different-backgrounds-shared-uncertainties-how-can-universities-support-higher-education-staff-with-issues-of-imposter-syndrome/

Johnston, A., Cock, S., Coombes, P., Mathew, R., Walsh, S. and Walker-Smith, L. (2024) From the ‘new’ to the ‘newer’ normal: Organisational culture and change within Higher Education. People in Employment Settings (PiES) Research Group, 15^th November 2024. Available at: https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/pies/2024/11/15/from-the-new-to-the-newer-normal-organisational-culture-and-change-within-higher-education/