Staff Profile
David McKenna
Lecturer in Business Management
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I am a Lecturer in Business Management with experience across higher education and the public sector. Before moving into academia, I worked in the Civil Service, where I developed a strong interest in organisational processes and decision-making. I later joined the university in a professional services role before transitioning into teaching, which has given me a broad understanding of both the academic and operational sides of higher education. My teaching focuses on creating engaging, activity-based learning environments that help students connect theory with real-world practice. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and am currently undertaking a PhD exploring data-driven decision-making in heritage conservation, focusing on developing indicators to assess and support the health of the historic environment.
- School – York Business School
- Email – d.mckenna@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 786
Further information
Teaching
I currently teach across Business Management modules including Equality and Sustainability of the Economic Environment, Responsible Business, and Principles of Applied Economics. My teaching approach focuses on connecting theory with real-world practice through interactive lectures, discussions, and applied activities.
In previous years, I have taught on a wide range of modules across Business, Economics, Finance, and Project Management, including Investment and Portfolio Management, Econometrics Modelling, Insurance and Risk Management, Project Fundamentals, Project Finance, and Risk and Issue Management. This experience has allowed me to develop a broad and integrated understanding of business education, supporting students from first year through to postgraduate study.
Research
My research focuses on data-driven decision-making within heritage conservation. Through my PhD, Data-Driven Decisions in Heritage Conservation: A Business Analytics Approach, I am analysing and aggregating Historic England’s Heritage Counts indicator data to develop a composite measure of heritage health. This work aims to improve understanding of how heritage condition and management can be assessed at national and local levels, supporting evidence-based approaches to policy and planning.
More broadly, my research interests lie in the application of data analytics and performance measurement to inform management and decision-making across business and public sectors. I am particularly interested in how data can be used to improve sustainability, resource allocation, and long-term strategic planning.
Professional activities
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and actively engage in professional development focused on enhancing teaching and learning practice. I am also interested in building collaborations that apply data-driven approaches to management and decision-making in both business and heritage contexts.
