Professor Matthew Kiernan entered academia as a mature student whilst serving in the Royal Navy. Originally qualifying as a RGN in Derby in 1991 he subsequently qualified as a RN (Mental Health) in 2001 with a BSC Med Sci from Sheffield University. He was awarded a PhD from Nottingham University in 2011.

Matthew was the Head of Mental Health Nursing in the Royal Navy, the Specialist Nurse Advisor for Mental Health (Royal Navy) and the Defence Specialist Nurse Advisor (Mental Health) prior to taking up his appointment as a Senior Research Fellow at the Academic Department for Defence Nursing. Matthew saw active service in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since arriving at Northumbria he has been committed to developing The Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families' Research as its Director. Matthew is currently leading a range of research projects which focus veterans and military families. Matthew is the chair of the Independent Advisory Panel for the British Army Infantry Training Centre in Catterick Garrison and an Academic Advisor to the Office of Veterans Affairs.