Congratulations to our Centre for Social Informatics colleagues Dr Lyndsey Middleton (née Jenkins) and Dr Leo Appleton, both of whom graduated with their PhDs last week. Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were unable to celebrate with them in person in the usual way at the Edinburgh Napier University graduation ceremony at the Usher Hall. However, the University was able to mark the day in other ways, including this video.

Lyndsey’s PhD thesis is entitled Exploring the development of innovative work behaviour of employees in multiple workplace contexts. In her ESRC/Skills Development Scotland sponsored research, Lyndsey explored the factors important to the development of innovative work behaviour (i.e. the recognition of the need to innovate, idea creation, idea championing and, idea implementation). She also deployed Social Cognitive Theory to surface the multiple relationships that exist between three types of factor: cognitive, environmental, and behavioural.

Lyndsey collected the empirical data for her study by interview, focus group and a questionnaire in three case study organisations: a Scottish University, a Finnish University, and an English National Health Service Trust.

I was Lyndsey’s Director of Studies. Her other supervisors were Professor Robert Raeside and Dr Laura Muir.

To find our more about Lyndsey’s whole experience as a PhD student at Edinburgh Napier University – from her invitation to interview to the conferment of her degree – see the post on her own web site.

Dr Lyndsey Middleton and her completed PhD thesis

Leo’s PhD thesis is entitled The 21st century public library in England and Scotland: epistemic, community and political roles in the public sphere. Leo completed his PhD part-time over the course of six years (2013-2019). His research findings derive from the analysis of empirical data collected in 24 focus groups at different locations in England and Scotland over a period of four years (2014-2018).

The main contribution of Leo’s research is an extension of understandings of the significant part that the public library plays as a ‘public sphere’, achieved through the fulfilment of three fundamental roles: (1) epistemic; (2) community; and (3) political. This is manifest in the provision of secure, neutral spaces where social, human and transactional capital is exchanged.

I was Leo’s Director of Studies. His other supervisors were Professor Robert Raeside and Professor Alistair Duff.

As well as graduating this month, Leo also takes up a new post as a University Teacher within the Information School, at the University of Sheffield.

Dr Leo Appleton