Michael Butler

Research Interests

My research has focused on organisational analysis and development since my PhD in 2000. This research is conducted through my Transformation Project. This focus is directly aligned to Aston's Strategy 2018-2023 (p4), conducting 'high quality, exploitable research that is accessible for business and has a positive impact on society'.

I take a multi-disciplinary perspective (transformational, biological and historical). I also promote collaborate research teams.

The research has been externally funded through competitive processes deeming the work excellent. This has led to 142 academic and practitioner publications, with 40 being academic journal articles, and 13 of those being rated 4* and 3* by the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS). This means that I will be in three consecutive REF cycles, including the upcoming one.

I have co-edited three books (the most recent, the CIPD’s Introduction to Organisational Behaviour). My engaged scholarship (funded to c£1.5m) has been recognized (CMI and ESRC), and the OECD used my research to evaluate international policy implementation. An ERDF project facilitated measurable growth across 38 SMEs - this work is being expanded to Kenya.

I am currently writing a REF Impact Case Study, capturing the ten year history of The TRANSFORMATION Project. Professor Sam Aryee (Surrey) and I are being commissioned by Edward Elgar to become Book Series Editors for a pioneering suite of short-form books designed to quickly publish innovative research in organisational behaviour. I will write the first book in the series drawing on my REF impact case study and my ongoing research about how organisations become receptive contexts for change. Edward Elgar will promote the series through their international network.

Teaching Activity

• Aston Edge (Full Time MBA Programme) – Leading for Impact
• MSc Dissertation Supervision
• Research Student Supervision

Qualifications

• 2016 MSt. in the History of Design, Kellogg College, Oxford University, UK
• 2000 PhD Management, Centre for Corporate Strategy and Change, Warwick Business School, UK
• 1988 BA (Hons.) History, University of Durham, UK
• 1985 Certificate in Field Archaeology, University of London, UK

Membership of Professional Bodies

Academic

• 2019 to date Academy of Management (AoM)
• 2017 to date Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• 2014 to date Senior Common Room, St. Chad's College, University pf Durham
• 2012 to date British Academy of Management (BAM)
• 2009 to date Founder & Director, The TRANSFORMATION Project

Policy and Advice

• 2017 to date Fellow, Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• 2015 to date Fellow, RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce)
• 2015 to date Trustee, Birmingham Civic Society; Chair, Citizenship Committee

Awards

Research

• 2013 The TRANSFORMATION Project became an ESRC Good Practice Case Study for co-creation action research
• 2012 The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) awarded myself (with Sweeney & Crundwell) one of the Top Five Management Articles

Teaching

• 2018 Nominee, Academic Awards for Engaging Teaching (university level award)
• 2012 - 2016 HEA Associate, research consultancy function (national level award)
• 2011 Invited Member, Fellows Forum, Bushiness, Management, Accounting and Finance (BMAF) subject network, HEA – teaching excellence group supporting teaching throughout HE community (national level award)
• 2009 Beta Gamma Sigma, Aston University Chapter (international level award)
• 2008 – 2010 CAMPUS Teaching and Learning Fellowship, Salford University, UK (national level award)
• 2007 Aston Business School Excellence in Teaching Award (school level award)
• 2005 Aston Excellence in Teaching Award (university level award)