Emma Findlay

Profile

I am a human-centred researcher with a passion for understanding the human experience of work. My approach is rooted in socio-technical thinking, particularly when tackling complex challenges like technological change and cross-organisational collaboration. I thrive in interdisciplinary environments and seek out projects that bring diverse perspectives together.

The HRC in Accelerated Surgical Care is a collaboration between the University of Leeds and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and is co-directed by co-directed by Vee Mapunde and Professor David Jayne.

As part of the HRC, I am the project manager and research officer for the Surgical Care Observatory work package. Our aim is to uncover clinical areas that will benefit from new technology, and develop methods and tools so that we can identify and select technologies with the greatest potential to improve surgical care and benefit patients.

This work is vital since it will ensure that the NHS prioritises and adopts solutions that best meet the needs of users, and which are cost-effective, implementable, and scalable.

My PhD at Leeds University Business School investigates how goal hierarchies influence the functioning of multiteam systems (MTS). This work contributes to emerging literature by clarifying the often-overlooked tensions and interdependencies between teams working within complex systems. I have also served as a Teaching Assistant across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, where I have designed and delivered seminars and workshops in areas such as organisational behaviour, corporate social responsibility, and research methods. My teaching is warm, inquisitive, and grounded in real-world organisational contexts, shaped by previous roles in consulting and employee experience.

Before academia, I held leadership and consulting roles across industries. I led strategic employee insight, digital transformation, and human-centered design projects, including award-winning initiatives in employee engagement and training. These experiences inform both my research and my teaching. I am also a qualified yoga teacher and am interested in stress, burnout and nervous system regulation.

I’m especially energised by interdisciplinary, impact-driven projects that connect academic insight with contemporary organisational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Project manager; Surgical Observatory, NIHR HRC Accelerated Surgical Care

Research interests

I am interested in collaborating on the following topics:

• Implementation of medical technologies; human factors, implementation science, action research
• Multiteam systems; inter-connected teams, collaborative practices
• Goals and motivation; goal hierarchy, values & identities, juggling multiple goals
• Health and social care; integration of services, team and group behaviours in multiteam systems
• Pro-environmental behaviour and decision making, especially in a healthcare context.