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David Adkins

Dr David Adkins

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0599-6623

    Accepting PhD Students

    Overview

    Profile summary

    Dr David Adkins is an accomplished and strategic academic leader with a strong record of enhancing student experience, driving institutional growth, and providing impactful leadership at Plymouth Business School.

    His career is marked by a clear progression through senior management roles, including interim Deputy Head of School and Associate Head of School for several key areas. During his leadership of postgraduate programmes, quality indicators saw sustained improvement; between 2020 and 2024, overall student satisfaction increased from 54.3% to 91%. His strategic vision is further evidenced by leading a major portfolio review, developing and launching new programmes such as an MBA, and overseeing the introduction of January entry points. 

    As an educator, he is consistently praised for delivering high-quality, contemporary, and innovative teaching, as evidenced by outstanding student and external examiner feedback.  

    Dr Adkins' expertise is recognised within the higher education sector., holding External Examiner posts for Master's and Doctorate programmes at numerous institutions. His research on maritime clusters has also gained international attention, leading to an invitation to present his findings to Innovation Norway.

    Combining strategic management, a passion for educational excellence, and significant external standing, Dr Adkins has proven himself to be an asset to the university.

    Professional memberships

    • Fellow of the Regional Studies Association
    • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
    • Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
    • Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
    • Chartered Association of Business Schools Certified Management and Business Educator

    Roles on external bodies

    I was Joint Chair of the Devon & Cornwall Branch of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply 2017-2018

    Supervised research degrees

    Supervision of 2 maritime PhDs and 1 DBA student.

    Teaching interests

    Maritime business, regulation, legislation, policy, and history. Supply chain management, focusing on commercial and procurement management.

    Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

    In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

    1. SDG 4 - Quality Education
      SDG 4 Quality Education
    2. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
      SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    3. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
      SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
    4. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
      SDG 14 Life Below Water
    5. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
      SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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    Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

    Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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    • 6 Abstract
    • 4 Conference paper (not formally published)
    • 2 Article
    View all 12 research outputs
    • 6 Internal leadership role (e.g., Research group/centre leadership)
    • 2 Attending external event or training
    • 1 Organising a conference/congress (organisational committee role)
    View all 9 activities