Helen’s research focuses on the tripartite relationship in UK higher education apprenticeships, examining how learners, employers, and universities interact to shape the experience of work-based learning. She is particularly interested in the engagement of apprentices with academic study alongside professional practice. Additionally, Helen explores contemporary higher education practices and the integration of knowledge into professional settings, particularly within human resource management. A qualitative researcher, she specialises in interpretative phenomenological analysis to understand the lived experiences of work-aligned learners.

Helen is an Associate Professor and Head of Executive Education for the Business School. Helen’s remit includes all business apprenticeships, executive CPD programmes, and our distance learning programmes.  

Helen's teaching focusses on practice related HRM at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has taught within HRM-related programmes in FE and HE for over a decade, and has specialised in the development of students’ academic and employability skills.

Helen’s professional practice was in senior HR management in the not-for-profit and arts sectors.  

Helen holds a Doctorate in Education and a Masters in Human Resource Management.  She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, and a Chartered Manager and Fellow of CMI. Helen co-convenes the University Vocational Awards Council's HIgher Education Tripartite Professionals network. 

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/c/helen-charlton/