Dr. Kumodji is a Researcher at the Centre for Brexit Studies, bringing over a decade of academic rigour and industry insights into the complex intersections of human resource management, organisational behaviour, and post-turbulent labour dynamics. Dr. Kumodji is actively engaged in academic research blogs that explore the intersection of HRM practices and geopolitical shifts, particularly the challenges and opportunities that Brexit and COVID-19 present to labour markets and employment regulations.
Her work is highly sought after for shaping industry best practices and influencing government and organisational policies, particularly in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and SMEs where talent shortages have become critical post-Brexit and COVID-19 pandemic. One of her recent research, “And then came along Brexit, COVID ’19, and now Artificial intelligence (AI).” The role of AI in Talent Management in the Healthcare Industry in the UK: A Lesson for the NHS in a post-turbulent era,” has been nominated for the prestigious 2024 Management Publication of the Year Award, presented and awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the British Academy of Management (BAM), and the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS). This nomination highlights her contribution to shaping both academic discourse and practical solutions in a turbulent era.
Passionate about fostering informed discussions and contributing to policy development and solutions, Dr. Kumodji is actively engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations, aiming to offer practical recommendations that support innovations in workforce management to both public and private sector stakeholders and businesses navigating a period of political and economic uncertainty. Her thought leadership in the field has earned her widespread recognition, including an invitation to the prestigious “Annual Reception at the UK Parliament—House of Commons,” hosted by the Institute of Leadership in Birmingham, where she engages with other leading thinkers to discuss transformative leadership strategies. Their expertise makes them a key contributor to the Centre’s mission of providing comprehensive, research-driven insights into the ongoing implications of Brexit, COVID-19, and other turbulent environments, making significant contributions to the field both in the UK and internationally.
Alongside her research work at the Centre for Brexit Studies, Dr. Kumodji continues to work in HR and Recruitment, currently serving in the Workforce and Organisational Development team at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham, UK. Her work spans both research and practice, where she integrates her deep understanding of HR theories with real-world application, driving recruitment and talent management initiatives that meet the unique challenges of the healthcare sector. With her combination of academic achievements, broad professional experience, and professional associations, Dr. Kumodji is recognised for her ability to bring both a strategic and operational, informed approach to HRM in complex and evolving industries.
- Human Resources Management and Employee Relations
- People Management Practices
- Talent Management
- Organisational Behaviour
- Leadership & Management
- General Management
- Strategic Management
- Business Management
Dr. Kumodji earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Methodist University College, Ghana, in 2011. She later pursued an MBA in General Management from the University of Hull, which laid the foundation for her advanced studies. Following the completion of her MBA, Dr. Kumodji embarked on a PhD in Human Resource Management at Birmingham City University in 2018. During her PhD journey, she joined the team at the Centre for Brexit Studies, contributing to impactful research on how Brexit has shaped employment relations and workforce dynamics in the UK. Her ground-breaking doctoral research, completed in 2022, focused on the intersections of HRM and broader socio-political and economic changes and the resilience of SMEs amidst uncertainties, equipping her with a unique perspective on employment relations in the post-Brexit and COVID-19 landscape.
Qualifications:
- PhD Business in Human Resource Management - Birmingham City University, UK
- MBA in General Management - The University of Hull, UK
- BBA in Human Resource Management - Methodist University College, Ghana
- Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership - Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK
- Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice (PgCert) - Birmingham City University, UK
- Exploring Teaching and Assessment for Higher Education - Coventry University, UK
Prizes and Awards
Award Nominee – The Management Publication of the Year 2024 Award
Presented and Awarded By:
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK
- British Academy of Management (BAM), UK
- Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), UK
Business School Full Time PhD Classic Doctoral Training Grant
Presented and Awarded By:
- Birmingham City University Business School, UK
Business School Full Time Full International MBA Scholarship
Presented and Awarded By:
- The University of Hull Business School, UK
- Chartered Manager Member, Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK
- Full Member, Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana
- Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), UK
- Associate Member, Association for Project Management (APM), UK
- Certified Member, The Institute of Leadership (IOL), Birmingham, UK
- Member, British Academy of Management (BAM), UK
- Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), USA
- Member, Early Career Research Network, The British Academy (BA-ECR), UK
- People management and HRM practices in turbulent contexts
- Talent management in post-turbulent environments
- Socio-economic effects of Brexit on the Healthcare Industry
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in talent management within healthcare
- Strategic Workforce Resilience Post-Brexit and Post-COVID
- Brexit and HRM implications
- Immigration policy and its impact on talent management in the UK
- Supporting SMEs in overcoming innovation barriers through HRM best practices
- AI Integration in HR Practices
- Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
- Employment relations and law in a transitioning economic environment
October 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “Rebuilding the UK Workforce”: Lessons for HR Leaders on Navigating Labour Government’s Employment Law Reforms Amidst the Brexit Transition and Post-COVID-19 Recovery Challenges. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
September 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) The National Health Service (NHS) is “broken” in ways that are “unforgivable,” says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – Are the years of Conservative rule to blame, or is it the result of the combined impacts of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic?. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
September 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) The Labour Government’s Proposal for a “Flexible 4-Day Work Week”: What Impact Will It Have on Employee Productivity and Organisational Efficiency Amid Post-Brexit and Post-Pandemic Workforce Dynamics?. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
August 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “The Ripple Effect”: A Drop in the Number of Foreign Workers Entering the UK to Work in the NHS and Social Care Sector – Was Cutting Net Migration Post-Brexit and Pandemic the Right Course of Action or a Sound Strategy?. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
July 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “UK Government’s Ban on Zero-Hour Contracts”: Is it a step in the right direction for workers or a tactical response to address Post-Brexit and Pandemic-Induced Labour Market Challenges?. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
July 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “Britain Turns the Page”: Keir Starmer, the New Prime Minister, Declares “Change Begins Now” as 14 Years of Chaotic Conservative Governance Ends: Addressing the Future Ahead for the UK Economy in the Wake of Post-Brexit and Pandemic Uncertainties. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
June 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) UK General Election 2024 – “The NHS and Waiting List Crisis, Social Care Sector Challenges, Net Migration Reduction, Inflation, Cost of Living Crisis, and Taxes”: Major British Voter Concerns and Implications for the Future Workforce in Post-Brexit and Post-Pandemic Britain. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
June 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) UK Government proposes “the National Service Scheme” in Post-Brexit and Post-Pandemic Britain: Impact on UK’s Future Workforce through the lens of Young Talents (i.e., “The Generation Z”). Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
May 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “Here you go, Asylum Seeker, Take £3,000 and go to Rwanda”: Unpacking the Ripple Effects of Post-Brexit and COVID-19 Pandemic Immigration Policies on Britain’s Workforce and Talent Shortages. Mapping the Path Forward to the UK’s Labour Market. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
April 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “Where did Britain go wrong? Was it Immigration, the Rwanda Bill, Diversity, or Inclusion?” – The Fuel Behind the Exodus of Foreign Workers in the UK Labour Market in a Post-Brexit and Pandemic Era: A Critical Reflection for HR Leaders. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
April 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “Where are the staff?” Where did they go? From Brexit, Covid ‘19 and Cost Hikes to HR Leaders struggling to fill the talent gaps” – Navigating uncertainties in the UK Hospitality Workforce Market.Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
January 2024
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2024) “No Dependents Allowed, Only Skilled Workers”—the British Government said”. The impact of the new immigration policy (i.e., the five-point plan) on businesses and HR in a post- Brexit era: the implications for future talent in the UK Health and Social Care Sector. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
December 2023
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2023) “And then came along Brexit, COVID ’19, and now Artificial intelligence (AI).” The role of AI in Talent Management in the Healthcare Industry in the UK: A lesson for the NHS in a post-turbulent era. Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
July 2022
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2022) Exploring talent management practices in SMEs in a turbulent context: lessons from Brexit and Covid-19. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.
September 2019
Kumodji B., Psychogios A., & Paladini S., (2019) Exploring the impact of the Brexit Process on Talent Management Practices of SMEs in the U.K.: A Stakeholder's View (Literature Review): Conference Paper - British Academy of Management Conference 2019 (BAM), U.K. – Developmental Paper
July 2019
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2019) Managing talent in SMEs in uncertain times: Brexit, a Titanic disaster? Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
June 2019
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2019) Attracting and Retaining The Right Talent: Brexitween, Trick Or Treat For SMEs? Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
April 2019
Kumodji, Bertha Dzifa (2019) The War for Talent: Brexit, a Blessing or a Curse for HR in SMES? Birmingham City University, Centre for Brexit Studies Blog.
Dr. Kumodji regularly contributes to academic and industry publications and outlets, providing expert commentary on workforce and labour market shifts, employment law reforms, and the strategic HR practices and responses to Brexit and COVID-19’s ongoing challenges. Their work bridges the gap between HRM theory and practice, offering both academic and practical solutions to the challenges faced by organizations in the post-turbulent labour market.
Before joining academia, Dr. Kumodji amassed extensive experience in the HRM and OB fields. She began her career in the banking sector, working in customer service and HR roles, where she gained hands-on experience in employee relations, talent management and development, recruitment, and strategic HR practices. This dual experience provided her with a comprehensive view of employee relations and customer-facing service dynamics, which proved valuable as she transitioned into HR leadership. Over the span of more than a decade, Dr. Kumodji held key positions in several prominent banking and financial institutions, including GCB Bank Ghana Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, and Commerz Savings & Loans Company Limited, Ghana, where she served as an HR Manager. She later broadened her international experience by joining TSB Bank Limited in the UK.
Following her tenure in the banking and finance sector, her career transitioned into the healthcare sector, where she took up an influential HR role at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, one of Wales’ largest NHS Trusts. In this role, Bertha applied and leveraged her academic insights and deep practical expertise of HRM to critical areas such as employment law, equality, diversity, talent management, and ethical resourcing to support workforce integration challenges and organisational development in the healthcare sector. Her vast cross-sector experience enables her to bridge theory with practice effectively, contributing meaningfully to the ever-evolving field of HRM & OB.
