Profile picture of Dr Krystal Wilkinson

Dr Krystal Wilkinson

Reader (Associate Professor) in HRM

My profile

Biography

I gained my PhD in Work and Employment from Leeds University in 2015 on the topic of work-life balance for managers and professionals who live alone.  Currently research focuses on the work-life interface, flexibility and wellbeing at work, including complex fertility journeys and perinatal mental health.  Before returning to academia, I worked in operational HR roles in the Construction, Hospitality and Retail Sectors.  I am also active with the CIPD at the National level - being part of the National examination marking team and writing learning materials. 

Other academic service (administration and management)

Co-Chair of the Gender, Work and Organization ‘Gender and Health at Work Network’

Joint Deputy Director of the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity (2023)

Interim co-lead of the Sylvia Pankhurst Gender and Diversity Research Centre (2023)

Decent Work and Productivity Seminar Series Coordinator (2022-23)

Centre for Decent Work and Productivity Early Career Researcher Rep (2021-22)

External examiner roles

I was External Examiner for the University of Bedfordshire

Prizes and awards

Shortlisted for the ‘Rising Star’ award in the Research Impact category in the Faculty of Business and Law ‘Appreciate and Celebrate’ Awards 2022

Highly Commended in the Research Excellence Award category, Manchester Metropolitan University Staff Awards 2022

Finalist in the 2022 Manchester Metropolitan University ‘Images of Research’ Competition for an image related to our research on perinatal mental health in policing

Won Best Paper in the Gender in Management track at the 2018 British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference, for the paper ‘Pay Gaps and Pay Inequality In UK Academia: Understandings Of ‘Merit’’ (Woodhams, Trojanowski and Wilkinson, 2018)

Nominated for the 2018 Rosabeth Moss Kanter Award for Excellence in Work-Family Research for the paper ‘Exploring the work–life challenges and dilemmas faced by managers and professionals who live alone’ (Wilkinson, Tomlinson and Gardiner, 2017)

Membership of professional associations

Chartered Member of the CIPD

Fellow of Higher Education Academy

Get in touch

0161 247 3968
Business School

Impact

By engaging with a range of stakeholders, including the CIPD, government, national charities, advocacy organisations, and local/national employers, my research is having real-world impact, especially on the topics of workplace support for complex fertility journeys and perinatal mental health:

  • Wilkinson, K. Mumford, C. and Carrol, M. (2021) Complex fertility journeys and employment: Report for employers:https://www.mmu.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/ComplexFertilityJourneysResearchProjectReport.pdf This is cited heavily in a White Paper by campaigning organisation Fertility Matters at Work (June 2022) and in forthcoming guide/documents on fertility treatment from the CIPD
  • Wilkinson, K. (2022) PANDAS HR Toolkit for supporting staff affected by perinatal mental illness. This is signposted CIPD guides (mental health and pregnancy loss) and has been used by external organisations:https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/hr-toolkit/#:~:text=This%20PANDAS%20Foundation%20toolkit%20is,on%20donations%20to%20keep%20going.
  • CIPD Survey and Guides on pregnancy/baby loss and fertility treatment: advisor
  • Cornwall Council Fertility Guidance was informed by our research, and I was involved in the launch event (Sept 2022)
  • POSTbrief on remote working (contributor, peer-reviewer and work cited) (Oct 2022): https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pb-0049/  
  • Submission to UK Government in response to their consultation on Women’s Health Strategy (May 2021)
  • Mind Charity Mental Health at Work blogs on (in)fertility, perinatal mental health and pregnancy loss. Link to the fertility one: https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/blog/how-might-fertility-treatment-affect-the-wellbeing-of-your-staff/ (Aug 2022)
  • Ongoing work with Greater Manchester Police and Blue Minds, including a Perinatal Mental Health in Policing conference in January 2023
  • Working with the Northern Care Alliance on provisions on the back of our bespoke women’s health survey, working with the Wellbeing Lead
  • On the advisory board for Tommy’s charity ‘Pregnancy and Parenting at Work’ project, aimed at developing provisions for SMEs
  • Developing an ‘Ethnodrama package’ from the complex fertility journeys research.  Outputs are already being used in MMU teaching resources, and there is interest externally (already featured on local radio, on Fertility Matters at Work podcast and on the World Childless Week website). We will promote this to organisations as a training resource once finalised
  • Working with MMU HR and the Parents and Carers Forum internally to develop supports for staff affected by complex fertility journeys and perinatal mental health: Podcasts, resources and policy discussions
  • Presented at CIPD Applied Research Conference (Jan 2023) on how organisations can become more ‘fertility friendly’

Projects

Principal Investigator on two-year The Leverhulme Trust funded research study on complex fertility journeys and employment

Principal Investigator on a research study on perinatal mental health in policing, working with Greater Manchester Police and the National ‘Blue Minds’ campaign

Leading a team working with the Northern Care Alliance on their wellbeing strategy around women’s health, including a staff survey covering fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and menopause. 

Principle Investigator on research study on the experiences of solo-living staff transitioning to homeworking during the Covid-19 pandemic

Teaching

I teach across a number of units at both UG and PG level, across a range of Human Resource Management topics.  I have also been Dissertation lead, and have taught on the Executive MBA programme.

Supervision

I have ample experience of Masters-level dissertation supervision on our HRM and International HRM programmes.  I have more recently started doctoral supervision, and am interested in speaking to prospective PhD students, especially on topics related to wellbeing at work, flexibility, the work-life interface, maternity/paternity, mental health, and gender in the workplace. 

Research outputs

My areas of research interest are broadly around the work-life interface and wellbeing at work.  Current research interests/projects include solo-living staff; remote working; complex fertility journeys (including fertility treatment; miscarriage and childlessness) and employment; and perinatal (pregnancy and post-birth) mental health and employment.  The complex fertility and perinatal mental health studies specifically consider the experiences of men/partners as well as women/birthing parents, and the experiences of line managers. 

Qualitative research methods, and developing expertise in ethnodrama as a form of research dissemination

  • Books (authored/edited/special issues)

    Woolnough, H. (2024) Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening Perspectives Across the Life-Course. Emerald Publishing Limited.

  • Chapters in books

    Woolnough, H., Wilkinson, K. (2024) 'Introduction: Exploring the Under-Explored.' Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening Perspectives Across the Life-Course. Emerald Publishing Limited,

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C. (2024) 'Navigating Fertility Treatment Alongside Work and Employment: The Work-Fertility Interface.' Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening Perspectives Across the Life-Course. Emerald Publishing Limited,

    Wilkinson, K., Lennie, S.J., Duddin, K. (2024) 'Perinatal Mental Health and Employment: Exploring the Work-Illness Intersection in the Context of UK Policing.' Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening Perspectives Across the Life-Course. Emerald Publishing Limited,

    Wilkinson, K. (2022) 'Wellbeing at work.' Human Resource Management: People and Organisations. Kogan Page,

    Wilkinson, K., Taylor, S. (2022) 'Talent management and workforce planning.' Human Resource Management: People and Organisations. Kogan Page,

    Taylor, S., Wilkinson, K. (2022) 'Employment Law.' Human Resource Management: People and Organizations. Kogan Page,

    Woodhams, C., Perkins, G., Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'Developing the Knowledge and Skill of the HR Professional.' In Taylor, S., Woodhams, C. (ed.) Studying Human Resource Management. London, UK: CIPD,

    Taylor, S., Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'Business Issues and the Contexts of Human Resources.' In Taylor, S., Woodhams, C. (ed.) Studying Human Resource Management. CIPD London UK,

    Wilkinson, K., Taylor, S. (2012) 'Resourcing and Talent Planning.' In Taylor, S., Woodhams, C. (ed.) Managing People and Organisations. London, UK: CIPD,

    Wilkinson, K., Taylor, S. (2012) 'Managing and Co-ordinating the HR Function.' In Taylor, S., Woodhams, C. (ed.) Studying Human Resource Management. London, UK: CIPD,

    Taylor, S., Lucas, R.E. (2012) 'Employment law.' Human resource management in an international context. CIPD,

  • Media

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C., Carroll, M. (2023) Fertility is becoming a workplace issue but employer support can create winners and losers.

    Wilkinson, K., Carroll, M. (2021) The Business Case for More Fertility-Related Benefits and Support.

  • Reports

    Wilkinson, K. Work Life Balance and the Next Generation of Business Leaders: Research for an Inspirational Journey. Leeds Social Science Institute.

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C., Carroll, M. Complex Fertility Journeys and Employment: How workers navigate fertility challenges, including fertility treatment, alongside work and employment, and what employers can do to help.. Manchester Metropolitan University.

    Wilkinson, K. (2013) Work-Life Balance For Solo-Living Managers and Professionals. University of Leeds.

  • Journal articles

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C., Carroll, M. (2023) 'Assisted Reproductive Technologies and work, employment and society: extending the debate on organisational involvement in/responsibilities around fertility and reproduction.' Work, Employment and Society,

    Mumford, C., Wilkinson, K., Carroll, M. (2022) ''Potential parenthood’ and identity threats: navigating complex fertility journeys alongside work and employment.' Gender, Work and Organization, 30(3) pp. 982-998.

    Wilkinson, K., Collins, A.M., Antoniadou, M. (2022) 'Family status and changing demands/resources: the overlooked experience of solo-living employees transitioning to homeworking during the Covid-19 pandemic.' International Journal of Human Resource Management,

    Wilkinson, K., Rouse, J. (2022) 'Solo-living and childless professional women: navigating the 'balanced mother ideal' over the fertile years.' Gender, Work and Organization, 30(1) pp. 68-85.

    Woodhams, C., Trojanowki, G., Wilkinson, K. (2022) 'Merit sticks to men : gender pay gaps and (In)equality at UK Russell Group Universities.' Sex Roles: a journal of research, 86(9-10) pp. 544-558.

    Wilkinson, K. (2022) 'Maternal (perinatal) mental health and employment: an agenda for research and practice.' Human Resource Management Journal, 33(2) pp. 346-361.

    Wilkinson, K., Tomlinson, J., Gardiner, J. (2018) 'The perceived fairness of work-life balance policies: a UK case study of solo-living managers and professionals without children.' Human Resource Management Journal, 28(2) pp. 325-339.

    Wilkinson, K., Tomlinson, K., Gardiner, J. (2017) 'Exploring the Work-Life Challenges Faced by Managers and Professionals Who Live Alone.' Work, Employment and Society, 31(4) pp. 640-656.

    Macpherson, A., Homan, G., Wilkinson, K. (2005) 'The implementation and use of e‐learning in the corporate university.' Journal of Workplace Learning, 17(1/2) pp. 33-48.

  • Conference papers

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C. (2022) 'Complex fertility journeys and employment: Developing 'family-friendly' flexible working policies to protect workers before pregnancy and childbirth.' In Work and Family Researchers Network Conference 2022. New York, 23/6/2022 - 25/6/2022.

    Wilkinson, K., Carroll, M. (2022) 'Balancing fertility treatment and employment: three types of ‘labour’ and resulting work-life conflict.' In Fertility Conference 2022.

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C., Carroll, M. (2021) 'Complex fertility journeys: negotiating ‘potential parenthood’ and paid employment.' In European Group for Organization Studies.

    Wilkinson, K., Mumford, C., Carroll, M. (2021) ''Can rhythm intelligence challenge the silence around fertility work?.' In Gender, Work and Organization.

    Woodhams, C., Trojanowski, G., Wilkinson, K. (2018) 'Pay Gaps and Pay Inequality In UK Academia: Understandings Of ‘Merit’.' In British Academy of Management.

    Wilkinson, K., Gardiner, J., Tomlinson, J. (2015) 'The Perceived Fairness of Work-Life Balance Policies: A Case Study of Solo-Living Managers and Professionals.' In 2015 British Academy of Management Conference. University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, 8/9/2015 - 10/9/2015.

    Wilkinson, K. (2013) 'Exploring the Work-Life Balance Experiences of Solo-Living Managerial and Professional Employees.' In British Academy of Management Annual Conference. Liverpool, UK, 1/9/2013 - 1/9/2013.

    Wilkinson, K. (2013) 'Qualitative Research: Adapting the Biographical Narrative Interpretative Method (BNIM) For Research on Managers and Professionals.' In Doctoral Seminar Series. Leeds University Business School, Leeds, UK, 1/3/2013 - 1/3/2013.

    Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'British Academy of Management Doctoral Symposium.' In British Academy of Management. Cardiff, Wales, 10/9/2012 - 11/9/2012.

    Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'Researching Work Life Balance Using an Adapted Biographical-Narrative Interpretive Method.' In Northern Advanced Research and Training Institute Doctoral Symposium. Northern Advanced Research and Training Institute, 1/7/2012 - 1/7/2012.

    Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'Young, Free and Solo-Living? Work Life Orientations For Young Professional and Managerial Staff Who Live Alone.' In Leeds University Business School Doctoral Conference. Leeds University Business School, Leeds, UK, 1/6/2012 - 1/6/2012.

    Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'Leeds Social Science Institute Doctoral Seminar Series.' In Leeds Social Science Institute Doctoral Seminar Series. Leeds Social Science Institute, Leeds, UK, 1/5/2012 - 1/5/2012.

    Wilkinson, K. (2012) 'Young Free and Solo-Living? Work Life Orientations For Young Professional and Managerial Staff Who Live Alone.' In CERIC Doctoral Conference. CERIC, 1/5/2012 - 1/5/2012.

    Wilkinson, K. (2011) 'What About Me? Work-Life Balance for the Solo-Living Employee.' In Leeds University Postgraduate Research Conference. Leeds University, Leeds, UK, 1/12/2011 - 1/12/2011.

    Wilkinson, K. (2011) 'Work-Life Balance for the Solo-Living Employee: A Question of Structure and Agency.' In Leeds University Business School Annual Doctoral Conference. Leeds University, Leeds, UK, 1/6/2011 - 1/6/2011.

Press and media

Media appearances or involvement