Dr Derek Watson

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Associate Professor in Cultural Management

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, founder of the Faculty ‘Business Clinic’, chair of the University's Virtual Global Educational Forum, and the Doctoral lead for the University’s ‘Research Fridays’ programme, and have rich experience of mapping skills requirements in emerging sectors. I have extensive links and networks as a result of sourcing and embedding external engagement opportunities across the curriculum, with an international portfolio of clients and contacts, such as the British Cabinet Office, Indian Government Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dubai Police, and Canon International.

My research focuses on academic-industry collaboration, investigating the impact of knowledge exchange on practice and food safety cultural compliance. I am actively documenting my consultancy experience via international academic journals and have delivered lectures and seminars at universities and symposiums on a global scale. I have been appointed to the editorial board for the ‘International Journal of Academic Research in Management'.

I am also a Doctoral External Examiner, academic reviewer of several international journals, and currently employed as ‘External Examiner’ for both Chester, Teesside, West London University Doctoral programmes.

In addition, I am also a Visiting Professor at Sias Academy for Open Innovation at Sias International University in China, Technological University of Panama, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India, and Senior Research Fellow at the Cyprus Business School, Cyprus.

5 Step Process Course (YouTube 3m39s)
The Culture of UK Water Authorities, (BBC Politics. Skip to 11m52s)

Wake Up to Money (BBC Sounds 52m31s)
Audi Lookers - 5 Step Process Improvement Model (YouTube 4m23s)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - Speedings Limited (YouTube 4m46s)
Enterprise Activities within the University of Sunderland (YouTube 4m26s)
Project Change Maker - The Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism (YouTube 4m27s)
Accelerated Business Collaboration Project (YouTube 4m50s)
Audi Dealership – Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism (YouTube 11m40s)
Energy Crisis and the Cultural Dynamics (Sky News)
Access to Quality Education (Arise News)
Sleep Culture and Tips
The Great Debate: Do we have the leaders we deserve? (Sky News 4m32s)
The Great Debate: The Westminster Accounts (Sky News)

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Teaching and supervision
Research
Publications
Areas of expertise
Further information

Teaching and supervision

I am currently postgraduate module leader for Innovation and Technology Transfer and both Director of Studies and co-supervisor on the University's Doctoral courses, namely PhD and Professional Doctorate students.

Research interests for potential research students

2025 Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (MKTP) Funding
2024 Student Nomination Teaching Awards Winner of Outstanding Doctoral Supervisor
2024 Student Nomination teaching Awards Outstanding Project Supervisor Awards
2023 Business Schools Small Business Charter
2023 Innovate UK Management
2024 Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (MKTP) Funding
2023 Student Nominated Teaching Awards: Most Inspirational Member of University Staff
2020 University of Sunderland ‘The Annual Improvement Award’
2019 Formal Letter of Commendation, University of Mongolia
2018 C20 China Award for Research Contribution to Mengniu Dairy, Inner Mongolian Government
2018 Certificate of Recognition on Academic and Commercial Contribution in Food Management Compliance. At The Global Food Industry 3rd Global Food Security, Food Safety and Sustainability Conference, New York, USA.
2017 Certificate of Recognition on Academic and Commercial Contribution in Food Management Compliance. At The Global Food Industry, 7^th European Food Safety and Standards Contribution, Athens, Greece.
2015 Nominated for the ‘Best Teacher Award’ University of Sunderland
2010 University of Sunderland Blue Print Nomination Award
2008–2012 UK Best Student Award National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) 5 consecutive years.
2005 Nominated Best Lecturer by Royal and Sun Alliance Foundation Degree

Research

My research focuses on academic-industry collaboration, innovation and technology transfer, and food safety cultural compliance.

Doctoral completions:

2025 University of Sunderland (DoS) PhD: The Fake It, Till You Make It Consumers: Can Social Class be Falsified Via Adverse Methods of Consumption? What are the Perceived Motivating Factors for this Behaviour? An Exploratory Study Regarding Consumers in the United Kingdom.
2024 University of Sunderland (DoS) PhD: Exploring Knowledge Transfer and how differing terminology and ethical cultures affect engagement.
2024 University of Sunderland (DoS) DProf: The Use of Pictorial Menus for Dementia Patients within Acute NHS Hospitals.
2024 University of Sunderland (DoS) PhD: Assessing the food cultural compliance and its international implications of high-quality luxury hotels in Greece.
2024 University of Sunderland (DoS) DProf: Participation, Socialisation and Professionalisation: On-Boarding Insights from a Professional Regulatory Boardroom.
2024 University of Sunderland (DoS) PhD: Exploring Knowledge Transfer and how differing terminology and ethical cultures affect engagement.

2024 University of Sunderland (London Campus), (DoS) DProf: Thesis: Breaking the cycle: Employment challenges among adult male ex-offenders. A case study of Punjab province, Pakistan.
2023 University of Sunderland, (DoS) PhD: Thesis: Application and Development of the Theory of Liminoid Space to Support Understanding of Executive Education Learning and Support SME Growth.
2023 University of Sunderland, (DoS) DBA: Thesis: Leveraging Human Capital for Organisational Competitiveness: A Multi-Case Analysis of Successful Jamaican Companies.
2021 University of Sunderland, (DoS) DProf: Thesis: A Critical Review of the Role of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health in Supporting their Members’ Professional Development.
2021 University of Sunderland, (DoS) PhD: Thesis: A critical review of the Internationalisation of China's emerging food manufacturing markets. A case study of Inner Mongolian Dairy Manufacturers.
2021 University of Sunderland, (DoS) PhD: Thesis: How Can the Private Nursing Homes in the United Kingdom Innovate their Healthcare Logistics Settings to Reduce Costs and Improve the Process Design and Performance’ Quality?

2020 University of Sunderland, (DoS) DProf: Thesis: A critical review of the strategic and operational challenges in service delivery of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship by an alternative provider.
2020 University of Sunderland, (C.S.) PhD: Thesis: An exploration of the way in which the use of heuristics and cognitive biases affects entrepreneurial decision-making and venture success, and of the dissemination of the understanding of these issues in undergraduate, business education.
2019 University of Sunderland, (DoS) PhD: Thesis: Organisational Growth through Optimizing Operations and Process Improvement Strategies.
2019 University of Sunderland, (C.S.) DProf: Thesis: An exploration of the way in which the use of heuristics and cognitive biases affects entrepreneurial decision-making and venture success, and of the dissemination of the understanding of these issues in undergraduate, business education.
2018 University of Sunderland, (C.S.) PhD: Thesis: A framework for innovation via identification and development of a firm’s core competence – An empirical study with a special reference to a sample of firms located in North East England.
2017 University of Sunderland, (DoS) PhD: Thesis: A Comparative Evaluation of Human Resource Development (HRD) Processes and Practices in UK and Nigerian Retail Supermarkets.
2017 University of Sunderland, (DoS) PhD: Thesis: A Study of Competency as a Driver for Business Performance in Nigeria.
2016 University of Sunderland, (C.S.) DProf: Thesis: The Digital NGO: An Investigation into how the Digital and Creative Industries can work with the Digital and Humanitarian Sector whilst Maintaining both Commercial and Ethical Viability.

Research degree examination appointments:

2025 Leeds Beckett University PhD Thesis: Investigating the Spillover effect of Lagos megacity Projects, Case Study of Agritourism Badagry.
2025 Teesside University PhD Thesis: Towards Sustainable Employment in Construction 4.0 Impact of Artificial IntelligenceAdoption on Upskilling of Engineering and Construction Industry Personnel in India and UK.
2025 University of Central Lancashire PhD Portfolio: 'Can third-party data complement official food safety and food standards controls in the United Kingdom catering sector? A case study of the development of the voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) Scheme Safe to Trade.
2024 University of Central Lancashire DBA Thesis: ‘The role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming the Operations of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’.
2024 Teesside University PhD Thesis: ‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Talent Recruitment in the Banking Sector of the UK and Türkiye’.
2024 University of Central Lancashire PhD Thesis: ‘The Effect of Artificial Intelligence Implementation on Risk Management - A Study of the UAE Private Sector’.
2024 University of Lahore PhD Thesis: The Impact of Workplace Ostracism and Abusive Supervision on Counter Productive Work Behaviour: Moderated, Mediated Approach’.
2024 Leeds Beckett University PhD Thesis: ‘Impact of Different Factors on Organisational Productivity: A Case Study of the Abu Dhabi Police’.
2023 University of Lahore PhD Thesis: 'An Innovative Prospect for Governing Compliance in Banking Performance: Leading with Risk Management Practices Regarding Islamic Financial Institutions of Pakistan'.
2023 University of Liverpool PhD Thesis: ‘An exploratory study into the role of empowerment through relational leadership’.
2023University of Teesside DBA Thesis: ‘Assessing the Impact of Conflicting Talent Philosophies within the Organisation: An Investigation into Talent Development within Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust’.

2023 University of Boldon PhD: Thesis: ‘An evaluation of work-life balance practices from employers and employee’s perspective in the banking sector in UAE’.

2023 University of Lahore PhD Thesis: Organisational Situations as Blessing for Nexus between Empowering Leadership and Intrapreneurial Behaviour: Assessing Engineers in Pakistan's Automotive Corporations using Situation Strength Theory.

2022 Middlesex University DProf: Thesis:‘Examining the Impact of the Leadership Culture on the Organisational Strategic Decision-Making Process’.

2022 University of Liverpool DBA: Thesis: ‘Examining the Impact of the Leadership Culture on the Organisational Strategic Decision-Making Process’.

2021 University of Teesside PhD: Thesis: ‘To investigate how talent development strategies influence organisational performance of companies in the Libyan oil sector within the perspective of the RBV theory’.
2021 Middlesex University DProf: Thesis: ‘The Development of an Automated Decision-Making Framework Through the Utilisation of the Latest ERP Technologies for Organisational Change’.
2020 University of Teesside PhD: Thesis: Comparative Analysis into the Impact of Ethical and Philanthropic CSR on Consumer Purchasing Intentions: Case of Retail Supermarkets in India and the UK.
2020 University of Mauritius MPhil Transfer: ‘Evaluation, development and implementation of food safety management culture and climate in small food Mauritius and Rodrigues’.
2020 University of Liverpool DBA: Thesis: ‘Examining the Impact of the Leadership Culture on the Organisational Strategic Decision-Making Process’.
2019 Teesside University DBA: Thesis: ‘Investigating the impact of Tamkeen’s HR initiatives for the skills shortage on the private sector in the kingdom of Bahrain’.
2019 University of Lahore PhD: Thesis: ‘Exploring Value Co-creation at Micro Level in Maternal Healthcare Setting: A Case of Tertiary Hospitals, Lahore, Pakistan’.
2019 Teesside University PhD: Thesis: ‘Factors Affecting E-commerce Adoption Among SMEs. A Case Study Investigation of a Developing Economy – Pakistan’.
2019 Northumbria University PhD: Thesis: ‘An exploratory study of the application of mindsight in virtual communication: The case of email’.
2018 University of Teesside DBA: Thesis: ‘A Phenomenological Investigation of Learning Practices and Organisational Learning’.
2018 University of Liverpool DBA: Thesis: ‘A formative research study to test the plausibility of implementing project-based learning pedagogy into a post-secondary business program’.
2016 Middlesex University DProf: Thesis: ‘An Investigation into the Challenges Associated with Vendor Performance and the Commissioning of Professional Development’.
2016 Middlesex University DProf (Public Works): Thesis: ‘From the Intransitive to the Transitive – Emerging the Australian tax profession as a profession in its own right’.
2015 Middlesex University DProf: Thesis: ‘Corporate Governance in Public Hospitals in Greece with a view to strengthening the competencies of boards with a focus on cultural issues’.

Current Doctoral Supervision:

2023: DProf (DoS) Research Question: 'How are the dynamics of ‘support’ between coach and client maintained throughout a workplace coaching intervention.'
2022: PhD Via Publications: (DoS) Research Question: 'Application of the Theory of Liminoid Space to Executive Education Learning in the Higher Education Sector'.
2021: DProf: (DoS) Research Question: 'Corporate Governance, Culture, Quality and Safety: Exploring the perspectives andon: 'Public voices in the regulatory boardroom; explorations of the Irish nursing and midwifery lay majority regulatory board'.
2021: DProf: (DoS) Research Question: 'Leveraging Human Capital for Organizational Competitiveness: Building Organizational Intelligence to improve value and enhance Competitive Performance, the Jamaican Context'.
2021: PhD: (DoS) Research Question: 'Exploring the connection between business planning, owner-managers and training with SME performance (survival or growth)'.
2017: PhD: (DoS) Research Question: ‘An Examination of Food Safety Cultural Compliance within the Greek Food Manufactures’.

External validation appointments:

University of Northampton, Periodic Subject Review Level 8 (2022)
WSB University in Gdansk, Poland Approval with University of Northampton (2020)
University of Northampton: Executive MBA (2020)
University of Northampton: Diploma in L&D Practice Higher Apprenticeship (2020)
University of Bradford: Executive DBA Expert Review (2019)
Buckinghamshire University: MBA (2017)
De Montfort University: BAPAM (2017)
Glyndwr University: Online MBA Marketing and HRM (2019)
Hong Kong Institute of Technology: MBA (2018)
Lancaster University: BA Apprenticeship (2017)
Leeds Trinity University: MBA/MSc/MA (2019)
Manchester Metropolitan University: MBA/MSc/HSE (2018)
Ulster University: BSc Food Business Management (2019)
University of Hull: MSc HRM (2017)
University of Teesside: MSc (2018)

Keynote/Professional speaker forum:

Berlin Food Strategy Institute ‘Food Safety Culture’ (2021)
UK Cambridge University ‘Effective Problem Solving’ (2021)
Singapore University ‘Covid-19 a Gateway to Enhance China’s Food Safety Culture’ (2020)
Singapore MDIS ‘e-Open House The Virtual Wonder’ (2020)
London Lloyds Banking Group London Changing Landscapes in HE (2020)
Brunei British Business Network Forum, ‘Food Safety Culture’ (2019)
Malaysia SEGi University ‘Food Cultural and Change Management’ (2019)
Panama Technological University ‘Food Safety Cultural Compliance’ (2018)
Inner Mongolia University ‘Food Safety Cultural Compliance’ (2018)
Greece New York College ‘Innovation and Food Culture’ (2018)
Belgrade New York College ‘The Business Clinic’ (2015)

Conference organisation:

1st Dedicated Northeast of England Small Business Conference, (ESF Funded) Lead Organiser (2023)
Singapore International Conference on Food Science and Nutrition (SICFN-2020) Organising Committee Member (2021)
International Conference on Food Safety Conference, UK Lead Organiser (2019)
9^th International Conference on Management Research (ICMR), Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan Organising Committee Member (2018)

Sorry No Publications

Food safety cultural compliance
Innovation and technology transfer
Total quality management
Transformational change
Changing mindsets

Commercial qualifications:
NEBOSH Occupational Safety and Health Dip I & II (A07205 and B02664)
BSi International Lead Auditor IS0 9001:2000 – Cert No: 100870/56443
BSi International Lead Auditor ISO 14001:2004 – Cert No: 109221/76476
BSi Auditing to ISO 9000 – Cert No: 101304

Professional memberships:

Senior Fellow of Advance Higher Education
International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
BSi National Committee AW/90 Quality Systems for the Food Industry
Salus Food Safety Culture Science Group: Research – Consultant member
Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
International Register of Certified Auditors (IRCA)
National Vocational Training Assessor
Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Graduate Member No: 105498
North East Regional Quality Planning Group (Cabinet Office, Central Government. Invited to advise on the prioritisation of regional quality initiatives)
Honorary Member of the Inner Mongolian Food Federation

I am also a practising consultant in Management of Change, Total Quality Management (ISO 9001, 14001, 18001) Food Safety Culture Compliance and NEBOSH qualified in International Health Safety and Environment.