Emily Van Nguyen

Thesis Title: The relationship between inclusive leadership and workplace loneliness: A comparative study in in-person and remote work.

The research examines the relationship between inclusive leadership (IL) and workplace loneliness (WL) in the healthcare sector, a context where emotional strain, workload pressures, and shifts between in-person and remote work have heightened the risk of loneliness among staff. Existing studies have explored WL in relation to transformational, servant, and authentic leadership; however, the potential of IL-characterised by belonging, voice, and psychological safetyremains insufficiently investigated, particularly in post-pandemic healthcare settings. This study conducts a comparative analysis between the UK and New Zealand, two countries that have actively developed national policies to address loneliness but differ significantly in their cultural norms and leadership expectations.

A qualitative methodology will be employed, involving 80 semi-structured interviews with healthcare leaders and employees, including mental health clinicians, administrative staff, and laboratory clinicians working across remote and in-person environments. The study is guided by Social Exchange Theory and Social Information Processing Theory to explore how IL practices shape employees’ perceptions of inclusion, interpersonal connection, and organisational support. Thematic analysis will be used to identify key patterns and cross-cultural differences in how IL influences WL. The research is expected to advance theoretical understanding by positioning IL as a critical leadership approach in mitigating WL within diverse working arrangements. It also extends WL discourse into comparative cultural contexts and hybrid work structures. Practically, the findings will offer evidence-based recommendations for leadership development and policy intervention, supporting healthcare organisations in fostering inclusive and psychologically healthy workplaces.

Biography:

Emily Nguyen is a first-year PhD researcher at the University of Nottingham Business School, specialising in leadership, organisational behaviours, and employee well-being. She holds a Master of Business and Management from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, where she received a fully funded New Zealand Government Scholarship. Her academic journey is complemented by international research assistant experience with Northumbria University (UK), Strasbourg University (France), and UNDP Vietnam, focusing on inclusive leadership, innovation, and the sustainability of social enterprises. Before transitioning into academia, Emily worked as a Sales Supervisor and corporate trainer in the banking sector in Vietnam, where she developed a strong interest in leadership practice and its influence on employee outcomes. She has presented her work at international conferences and contributed to publications on employee innovation and social impact entrepreneurship. Alongside her research, Emily is passionate about teaching and has experience as a teaching assistant and language instructor in New Zealand. She aims to combine academic scholarship with meaningful impact on workplace well-being, particularly in healthcare and public service sectors. Her long-term ambition is to become a lecturer and professor, and contribute to leadership development in both academic and professional communities.

Department of Work, Organisation and Management

Nottingham University Business School. University of Nottingham

2025 Cohort

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Supervisory Team:

Luis Torres

Tracey Warren

Sudeshna Bhattacharya