Dr Kristin Finn

Prior to joining the University of Plymouth as a Lecturer in 2010, I gained over 10 years’ experience as a socioeconomic consultant (cultural lead) and project manager. During this time I designed, won and managed large scale research studies for national, regional and local government departments and think tanks, such as the Commission for Rural Communities, NW Regional Development Agency, Arts Council SW, Lincolnshire County Council, Devon County Council, and Devon Economic Partnership, as well as third sector organisations such as RNIB. This work informed project evaluations, visitor and audience studies, business plans and strategies in the fields of economic and skills development, tourism, creative and events industries, as well as the third sector.

Since joining the University, I have completed a PhD in Crowd Dynamics and Safety Management, exploring the context of global crowd incidents at events and associated learning and safety outcomes linked to risk analysis, crisis management, business continuity and resilience planning. Moreover, through my prior industry experience linked to the skills agenda, I have been passionate about enhancing graduate skills, both as a placement tutor and developing the opportunity for students to achieve the IOSH Managing Safely qualification alongside their degree programme. I am also a Technical Member of IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and an IOSH trainer for the University of Plymouth, delivering the IOSH Managing Safely course for our student cohorts. 

My industry experience, personal research and professional interests heavily inform my teaching contribution and as such, areas of interest include crowd dynamics and incident management, risk analysis, business continuity and resilience planning, strategic business management and development, work-based learning and skills development, research methodologies for business management and with a specialist knowledge of the tourism, events and hospitality sectors.

PhD Crowd Dynamics and Managing Safety: an exploration of global crowd incidents at events and associated learning and safety outcomes linked to risk analysis, crisis management, business continuity and resilience planning
MSc Tourism and Hospitality Management 
BSc (Hons) Tourism Management 

PGCAP (Postgraduate Certificate of Academic Practice)
Higher Education Diploma in Crowd Science and Risk Analysis (Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance)

Nebosh General Certificate in Health and Safety Practice

Fellow (Higher Education Academy)

Technical Member - IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)

I currently teach on a range of modules for the BSc (Hons) Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management programmes, both here and for our partner University in Hong Kong. Subjects and specialisms (current and previous) include:

I am also a supervisor for final year Honours Project students from Plymouth University, placement student mentor, as well as leading on the Business Management and Consultancy module delivered via our partner institution in Hong Kong.

External Academic Panel Member. MSc Crowd Safety and Risk Analysis Validation Event. Manchester Metropolitan University. 2015.

I have completed a PhD in Crowd Dynamics and Safety Management, exploring the context of global crowd incidents at events and associated learning and safety outcomes linked to risk analysis, crisis management, business continuity and resilience planning. My other research interests include exploring undergraduate employability skills and work readiness. 

2012-13. £2000 in research funding from Plymouth Business School and the Talent Hub to explore industry perceptions of undergraduate and graduate employability skills and work readiness. This research helped to inform employability curriculum development and created new employer links for placement opportunities.