David Hughes

David J. Hughes is Professor of Personality and Organisational Psychology. He is Programme Director of M.Sc. Organisational Psychology and M.Sc. Business Psychology. He is a multi award-winning educator, with over 20 awards, including an Excellence in Practice Gold Award for executive education, University-wide awards for best research-led teacher, best research supervisor, and the prestigious Distinguished Teacher Award in 2022.

David joined Manchester Business School in January 2015 having previously developed and directed the MSc. Business Psychology at Coventry University. His PhD research, conducted at the University of Manchester, identified personality traits that influence consumers’ use of credit (loans, credit cards) and insurance (genuine and fraudulent claims).

His current research interests centre on individual differences (e.g., personality, emotions, motives) and can be broken down into three main areas: (i) theoretical nature and measurement of individual differences, (ii) the role of individual differences at work, and (iii) individual differences in unethical, impulsive, and deviant behaviour.

David's research is often published in pre-eminent journals in the fields of personality (e.g., Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, European Journal of Personality), organisational psychology (e.g., The Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Occupational and Organisational Psychology), and psychometrics (e.g., Assessment). His work has been recognised with numerous international awards and ranks him within the prestigious Stanford-Elsevier top 2% most impactful scientists.

David is also expert in the development and evaluation of psychometric tools. He has created numerous research tools, developed the Accuracy and Appropriateness model of validation, co-edited the two-volume Wiley Handbook of Psychometric Testing, and developed psychometrics for the high-stakes nuclear and legal sectors.