Staff profile

Dr Nicola Lynch


Head of Derby Business School

Dr Nicola Lynch

Subject

Business

College

College of Business, Law and Social Sciences

Department

Derby Business School

Campus

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Email

n.lynch@derby.ac.uk

About

I am Head of Derby Business School, a vibrant School focused on applied real-world learning, teaching and research. We have a strong global community which embraces a diversity of perspectives and thoughts. Our academic environment is critical to the development of our learners as it assures they gain understanding and exposure to the effectiveness of business models and business engagement within a global context. Innovation and research sit at the heart of Derby Business School, with ‘Sustainable Growth’ as the thread that runs through our academic delivery.

So, whether we are addressing the regional challenge of productivity or the global challenge of achieving net-zero economies, our focus is to ensure that our impact will drive sustainable growth. We achieve this through our applied learning and teaching practices, designed and delivered in partnership with our vast network of business partners and stakeholders.  

Teaching responsibilities

My academic background is in Economics and over the years, I have taught a number of undergraduate and postgraduate modules. I have also supervised eight PhD students and a large number of MSc and MBA students to completion over that time. 

I believe in providing our students with a unique and invaluable learning experience, founded on the principles of respect, trust and integrity. I believe in providing a learning environment where students can develop academically and personally as they progress through their studies here at Derby.

Research interests

I am an applied economist who researches public policy issues. More specifically, my research is concerned with a number of interrelated issues such as industrial/enterprise policy development, economic development policy and policy evaluation (from both ex-ante and ex-post perspectives). My key area of interest is in business networks and examining their impact at micro and macro levels. I have a great passion for my research and love applying theory to practice. I also enjoy working with my research students to develop their research interests.

Masters students

Annually, I supervise a number of MSc student dissertations. The MSc students that I supervise are from our MSc International Business programmes and there is an international element to all of their dissertations. The topics are varied to include such issues as corporate social responsibility, networks and firm performance, regional networks, various aspects of international trade, and more recent projects examining the viability of outsourcing for accounting firms, as well as another, which is looking at prospects of trade for Pakistani SMEs to the UK.

PhD students

I have supervised one student to completion (2012-2016). The title of this thesis was "The necessity of capitalist crises: Theory and evidence from Greece, 2000-2012". I also currently supervise four PhD students. These research topics are interrelated in that they focus on the evaluation of various policy issues, including topics such as firm performance, behavioural additionality, low carbon, and the third sector.

As well as supervising our University of Derby Masters and PhD students, I also mentor students and academic colleagues who visit us from various research partners (e.g. from Mexico and China).

Membership of professional bodies

Qualifications

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Research

Teaching

Recent conferences

Additional interests and activities

I am passionate about bringing research and teaching together and I am committed to providing our students with a high-quality education. The research I undertake supports my teaching and allows for a research-led teaching environment where academic excellence is combined with a friendly student-centred learning experience. 

I am also focused on ensuring the research we undertake in the Business School helps address key issues in society so that we make a difference. Whilst, I am also focused on ensuring that we provide the necessary support for local and regional businesses to help them achieve their potential. 

Recent publications

Reports

Co-authored books