Dr John P Wilson

Management School

University Teacher in Change, Organisations and Change Management

John Wilson.
Profile picture of John Wilson.
J.P.Wilson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 3355
B029, Sheffield University Management School

Full contact details

Dr John P Wilson
Management School
B029
Sheffield University Management School
Conduit Road
Sheffield
S10 1FL
Research interests

My main focus is on teaching and learning and I have written a number of books on education, human resource development and training as well as an encyclopaedia of UK education and training from 1839 ¨C 2010.

I also research the role of sport, and particularly football, and their impact on: communities, economy, education, health, heritage, tourism and wellbeing. I also researched A Northern Culture All-Party Parliamentary Group report '', and which was recently launched at Westminster.

Although my main focus is on teaching, I have also conducted a wide variety of applied research and have written numerous academic articles, blogged for the CIPD and authored and edited eleven books.

Publications

Books

  • Wood ST, Stocks J & Wilson J (2024) A Children's Illustrated History of Football in Sheffield.
  • Beard C & Wilson JP (2018) Experiential Learning A Practical Guide for Training, Coaching and Education. Kogan Page.
  • Wilson J (2018) Introduction.
  • Beard CM & Wilson JP (2013) Experiential Learning A Handbook for Education, Training and Coaching. Kogan Page Limited.
  • Wilson JP (2012) Dream Your Life, Your Future.
  • Wilson JP (2012) International Human Resource Development Learning, Education and Training for Individuals and Organizations. Kogan Page Limited.
  • Wilson JP (2008) . Emerald.
  • Beard CM & Wilson JP (2006) Experiential Learning A Best Practice Handbook for Educators and Trainers. Kogan Page Publishers.
  • Wilson JP (2005) Human Resource Development Learning & Training for Individuals & Organizations. Kogan Page Publishers.
  • ±È¶ûµÂ , Bear C±È, Íþ¶ûÑ· & Wilson JPÍþ (2003) ÌåÑéʽѧϰµÄÁ¦Á¿.
  • Beard CM & Wilson JP (2002) The Power of Experiential Learning A Handbook for Trainers and Educators. Taylor & Francis US.
  • Wilson JP (1999) Human Resource Development Learning & Training for Individuals & Organizations. Kogan Page Publishers.
  • Wilson JP () . Routledge.

Journal articles

  • Wilson J, Stocks J, Wood S & Clarke J (2025) . The International Journal of the History of Sport, 42(3), 264-282.
  • Knott S & Wilson JP (2024) . Social Responsibility Journal, 20(6), 1056-1071.
  • Wilson J, Dyer R & Cantore S (2024) . Industry and Higher Education, 38(2), 124-135.
  • Westby M & Wilson JP (2022) . Soccer & Society.
  • Wilson JP (2022) . Journal of Sport & Tourism, 26(4), 315-333.
  • Irvine D, Jobson SA & Wilson JP (2022) . Sports, 10(5).
  • Wilson JP (2021) . Information, 12(8).
  • Hodge A, Swift S & Wilson JP (2018) . British Paramedic Journal, 3(3), 10-15.
  • Wilson JP & Campbell L (2018) . Total Quality Management & Business Excellence.
  • Wilson JP & Campbell L (2016) . Journal of Knowledge Management, 20(4), 829-844.
  • Wilson JP & Campbell L (2016) . Journal of Economic Methodology, 23(4), 413-431.
  • Wilson JP (2015) . International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 43(4/5), 432-447.
  • P. Wilson J & Gosiewska S (2014) . Disaster Prevention and Management, 23(5), 632-648.
  • P. Wilson J & Beard C (2014) . The Learning Organization, 21(2), 98-112.
  • (2013) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 45(6), 370-371.
  • Stride C, Wilson JP & Thomas F (2013) . Sport in Society, 16(6), 749-771.
  • (2013) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 45(3), 185-186.
  • Stride CB, Wilson JP & Thomas FE (2013) . Sculpture Journal, 22(1), 146-160.
  • Garavan TN, Cross C, Wilson J & Carbery R (2012) . Thunderbird International Business Review, 54(6), 875-890.
  • (2012) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 44(7), 438-439.
  • Wilson JP (2012) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 44(1).
  • Wilson JP (2011) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 43(7).
  • (2011) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 43(6), 395-396.
  • Wilson JP (2011) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 43(4).
  • Palethorpe R & Wilson JP (2011) . Journal of European Industrial Training, 35(5), 420-438.
  • Wilson JP (2011) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 43(2).
  • Wilson JP (2011) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 43(2).
  • Wilson JP (2011) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 43(1).
  • O'Leary D, McAvoy P & Wilson J (2010) . The Psychiatrist, 34(9), 371-375.
  • (2010) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 42(6), 336-337.
  • (2010) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 42(6), 335-336.
  • Wilson JP (2010) . Human Resource Management International Digest, 18(5).
  • (2010) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 42(1), 58-59.
  • (2010) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 42(1), 57-58.
  • Garavan TN, Wilson JP, Cross C, Carbery R, Sieben I, de Grip A, Strandberg C, Gubbins C, Shanahan V, Hogan C , McCracken M et al (2008) . Journal of European Industrial Training, 32(8-9), 612-728.
  • Wilson JP (2008) . Reflective Practice, 9(2), 177-184.
  • Bowman J & Wilson JP (2008) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 40(1), 38-41.
  • Beard C (2007) . The Journal of Hospitality Leisure Sport and Tourism, 6(2), 3-15.
  • (2007) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 39(4), 232-232.
  • (2007) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 39(3), 180-181.
  • (2007) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 39(2), 116-117.
  • Wilson JP, Blewitt J & Moody D (2005) . Education + Training, 47(2), 112-123.
  • Wilson JP (2004) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 36(6).
  • Wilson JP & Gielissen H (2004) . Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 13(3), 199-207.
  • Wilson JP & Beard C (2003) . Journal of European Industrial Training, 27(2/3/4), 88-97.
  • Buter J & Wilson JP (2003) The baobab as a metaphor on sustainable organisational development at a grassroots level. Development in Practice, 13(1), 110-115.
  • (2001) . Career Development International, 6(2), 93-100.
  • Wilson JP (2000) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 32(6), 201-208.
  • Wilson JP & Western S (2000) . Journal of European Industrial Training, 24(7), 384-391.
  • Wilson JP & Ibarz T (2000) . The Language Learning Journal, 22(1), 38-44.
  • Higson M & Wilson JP (1995) . Industrial and Commercial Training, 27(6), 25-29.
  • Palmer R & Wilson JP (1995) . Training for Quality, 3(2), 9-13.
  • Irvine D & Wilson JP (1994) . Journal of Management Development, 13(5), 25-37.
  • Stride CB, Thomas FE, Wilson J & Pahigian J () . Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, 8(1), 1-36.

Book chapters

  • Wilson JP & Choudhary S (2022) , Research Anthology on Measuring and Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 173-203). IGI Global
  • Wilson JP & Choudhary S (2019) In Tsai S-B, Shen C-H, Song H & Niu B (Ed.), Green Finance for Sustainable Global Growth (pp. 107-146). Hershey PA: IGI Global.
  • Beard CM & Wilson JP (2005) Learning Through Experience In Hartley P, Woods A & Pill M (Ed.), Enhancing Teaching in Higher Education New Approaches for Improving Student Learning (pp. 3-15). Psychology Press
  • Wilson J () In McGrath S, Mulder M, Papier J & Suart R (Ed.), Handbook of Vocational Education and Training: Developments in the Changing World of Work Springer
  • () In Hartley P, Woods A & Pill M (Ed.) Routledge

Reports

  • Wilson J (2024) A Question of Sport: An Inquiry into the cultural value of sport to the North.
Research group

The Institute of Work Psychology (IWP)

Grants

I have been involved with many successful grant applications including the following:

  • Higher Education Academy ¨C Discipline Workshop and Seminar Series: Using experiential learning to ensure Business and Management departments successfully survive national and international competition. 30 October 2013. ?750
  • Heritage Lottery Fund: All Our Stories: Home of Football: ?7,400. This award helped enable an additional ?40,000 to be awarded from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. (2012)
  • Leonardo da Vinci: Training and Educators Academy for Contact Centres; €396,269 (2008/9)
  • Leonardo da Vinci Call Centre Training and Knowledge Transfer ¨C €463,616 (2004)
  • Department for Education and Skills - Accelerated Learning - ?12k (2004)
  • West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council - Work-based Learning - ?100k (2002)
  • Department for Education and Skills - Research of DfES labour market initiatives ?35k (2001).
  • European Commission DGIX - Training programme - ?15k (1998/9).
  • European Regional Development Fund: ?75k, plus ?75k matched funding (1996).
  • Management Update Programme 9 x 12 week programmes (1994 - 1997) Training for Work, Sheffield TEC Income (c. ?200k)
  • Management Update Programme Six courses (1987-8) Adult Training, Manpower Services Commission: Income (c. ?23k)
Teaching interests

My main focus is on teaching and encouraging successful learning in my classes.

I have consistently received high teaching grades from students and delegates in the institutions where I have worked and am the first and only tutor to achieve 100% scores from all course delegates for a programme at the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford.

I was also a Continuing Professional Development Manager at the University of Oxford where I continue to be a tutor.

I began my career as a teacher and then taught in Sweden for a number of organisations including: Volvo, Alfa Laval, State Railways, and FFV Defence.

I then taught in Saudi Arabia for an oil company and have since worked in many countries.

Experiential learning underpins my teaching philosophy and I have jointly authored (with Colin Beard) four editions of the core text: Experiential Learning: A Practical Guide for Training, Coaching and Education.

The application of these principles translates into student-centred learning involving: competitions, questionnaires, discussion, Socratic enquiry, problem-based learning, and the provision of core knowledge.

My teaching is underpinned with wide practical work and consultancy experience in many sectors including: aerospace engineering, airlines, banking, defence, health, law, oil, pharmaceuticals, retail, transportation, and for the United Nations Development Programme in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

The result of this ongoing experience is that my teaching connects grounded academic theory with practical relevance to real and current business operations.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I also recently set up a not-for-profit organisation.

PhD Supervision

I am jointly supervising Stuart Joce who is researching the area of corporate turnaround.

I have previously supervised Dominic Irvine who researched 'A comparison of mental fatigue between ultra-endurance cyclists and senior business leaders', and Nasir Mohammed whose thesis title was 'An examination of the Malaysian Education System'.

I am particularly interested in supervising in the areas of: learning and development; strategic foresight, and knowledge management.

Are you interested in applying for a PhD?

Find out how to apply