Building a culture of experimentation
How leaders can move teams from debating opinions to testing ideas, and make small, safe experiments part of everyday work.
For leadership, strategy, and innovation teams
Award-winning research on authenticity and inclusion at work
Training that has reached tens of thousands of professionals around the world
Worked with Panasonic, NatWest, the UN Human Rights Office, and the British Army
About me
I’m a behavioural scientist and Associate Professor at Durham University, where I lead on professional education in behavioural science.
My work on authenticity in organisations looks at what happens when values and practice come apart, and how to close the gap. My research has appeared in journals including the Journal of Economic Psychology and the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. I also put this research into practice with organisations including Panasonic, NatWest, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the British Army, Jacobs, and Squire Patton Boggs.
Born in the Washington DC area, I trained in psychology and management at the University of Florida, before moving to the UK for a PhD at Aston Business School. Away from work, I’m a keen footballer and coach, a not-so-keen runner, and spend as much time skiing as possible.
Short bio and headshots
Authenticity is doing what you say.
Leadership advice usually treats authenticity as being true to yourself. My work asks a different question about organisations: do they do what they say?
Employees, customers, and investors notice the difference. In some areas, regulators now check it too.
Read the researchDiversity and inclusion
Whether commitments show up in hiring, pay, and everyday treatment.
Sustainability
Whether green claims match what the business actually does.
Ethics
Whether stated values hold up when targets and pressure rise.
Speaking
I give talks and workshops for leadership teams and for people working in strategy, change, HR, and sustainability.
My sessions mix research, real cases, and hands-on exercises. Each talk works as a keynote of 45 to 60 minutes or a half-day workshop.
I’m based in Durham, England, and speak in the UK, Europe, and the US, in person or online.
Get in touchCognitive diversity and performance
When different perspectives improve a team’s decisions and when they don’t, and how leaders can get the benefit in practice.
For leadership teams and HR
Ethics under pressure
Why good people cut corners when targets bite, and what leaders can change.
For leadership, risk, and compliance teams
Behavioural science and organisational change
Why change programmes win agreement but stall in practice, and how behavioural science helps people actually do things differently.
For leaders and teams running change and transformation
Authentic CSR and sustainability
Why social and environmental commitments backfire when practice doesn’t match, and how to make claims that customers, investors, and regulators believe.
For sustainability, brand, and communications teams
Organisations I’ve worked with
“Your fascinating presentation … was delivered at exactly the right level for the audience and perfectly aligned with the aim of the day … I have no doubt that your contribution will have a direct impact on the 4 Infantry Brigade Diversity and Inclusivity action plan.”
“I’ve heard you speak a few times now … and the topic remains very fascinating and insightful … the extension to cognitive diversity is super valued.”
“You very clearly pointed out the pain points in the organisation, and did so very well, supported by critical research. It was refreshing to get training that felt empirically based.”
“Andrew has a relaxed, yet very informative approach. In his last session, in just 90 minutes he created such impact and inspiration that there has been a huge flurry of action and energy driving positive change.”
“The best training I’ve ever done.”
Writing and research
My research, and plain-language writing on what it means for organisations.
- Research Making soft skills ‘stick’: A systematic scoping review and integrated training transfer framework grounded in behavioural science European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 2025
- Research Employee reactions to positive action policies in the UK: Does the organization’s justification matter? Journal of Economic Psychology, 2021
- Research Diversity as I say, not as I do: Organizational authenticity and diversity management effectiveness Academy of Management Proceedings, 2020
- Podcast Authenticity, hypocrisy, and trust at work and in politics The Aaron Halliday Podcast, 2020
Get in touch
For research collaborations, talks and workshops, or media requests, tell me a little about what you have in mind, or email andrew@ajmarcinko.com.