Barbara Sherriff

I am an ESRC funded PhD social researcher, supported by the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership, currently investigating the impact of entry-level employment and SHRM on the wellbeing and performance of young people entering a post-COVID labour market, 

08 Apr 2026: I am lead author for the publication Student Employment, Wellbeing and Employee Capital (The Journal of Education and Work), written in collaboration with University of Brighton and University of Southampton academic supervisors and based on my PhD employer interviews

20 May 2026: I authored the publication How can employers be encouraged to invest in skills training? (YEET0080), published in response to the Government's Inquiry into Youth Employment, Education and Training, and based on my PhD findings.

In press, 2026: I authored the report Defining Quality Work Experience, to be published by the Department for Work and Pensions as part of their evaluation into trials aiming to reduce young people not in employment, education or training, and based on research I conducted during a 3-month ESRC funded PhD placement.

I have an academic background in Organisational Psychology and Human Resource Management, am a CIPD qualified trainer and a Chartered Member of the CIPD. My most recent role was as the Head of Central Support at the University of Sussex Students' Union, supporting around 250 employees as the staff lead for Human Resource Management, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Safeguarding and Complaints.

Fully funded by the ESRC through the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership