Dr Tom Farnhill

• PhD in Politics, University of York, 2013
• MA in Public Policy and Administration, University of York, 2009
• BSc (Hons) in Politics and Social Policy, Open University, 2004
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Before joining the University of Birmingham Tom taught at Aston University, Sheffield International College and the University of York Management School. Before seeking a career in higher education he was employed by the trade union Prospect to establish an international development campaigning, bargaining and organising agenda with a range of public and private sector employers; and before this was an Employee Relations Officer in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Between 1992-2007 Tom was a full-time official for the UK’s largest civil service trade union.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities Tom is the School’s Director of Placements and Employability.

Tom lives in Birmingham and when not at work enjoys watching old movies, reading and writing comics and playing blues harmonica (very badly). 

Undergraduate:

• Philosophies of Welfare
• Global Issues – Perspectives from Social Policy, Politics and Economics
• Policy Analysis

Postgraduate:

• Philosophies of Welfare – Creating New Societies
• Global Policy, Networks and Institutions

PhD title

‘Green No More? The Coming-of-Age of UK Trade Unions’ Environmental Agenda 1967-2011’

Research interests

Dr Farnhill’s research interests are centred on UK trade unionism and union renewal. He is especially interested in social unionism and in evaluating the efficacy of non-traditional agendas as vehicles for union renewal (and their behaviour as employee relations negotiables). 

Current projects

Tom is currently researching businesses’ corporate political activity; seeking to understand the patterning, content and conduct of lobbying in the UK.