Staff Profile
Mike O'Farrell-Follos
Lecturer, Course Leader for Project Management Degree Apprenticeship
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/staff-profile-images/mike_ofarrell-follos-6.jpg)
I began my career working across performance and education in the arts sector, as a specialist teacher and instructor, and latterly as a director and orchestral manager. This aspect of management and leadership led me towards PM methodologies and qualification, and the industry applications in projects and consultancy.
A 13-year freelance career covered a wide range of professional activities in various industries and consulting spaces, but particularly focused upon classical music and arts management projects. This fast-paced sector practice frequently has applications in larger business settings, and I found myself moving more towards this area of expertise and experience, alongside a continual thread of teaching work in the higher education sector. I am delighted to bring this experience from industry into our project management offerings at York Business School.
- School – York Business School
- Email – m.ofarrellfollos@yorksj.ac.uk
Teaching
I teach across the Project Management, Leadership and Change offerings within York Business School, and I'm currently course leader for the Project Management Degree Apprenticeship programme.
Research
My PhD work focuses around Project Management frameworks in reflective practice and learning outcomes within organisations, and their correlation to managerial and leadership style. I particularly enjoyed knowledge transfer work with industry, and I'm always keen to hear from interested parties.
Professional Activities
I have worked in the industry for a decade before my academic work, managing projects and teams across long and short timeframes. This work with people underpins my research interest in the people-focused project management space. Alongside my academic role I occasionally consult to industry and am involved in a strategic and managerial role within an arts charity.
