Rachel Keefe

Background

Rachel is a Social Psychologist and a doctoral researcher in the School of Defence and Security at Cranfield University. Her current PhD research is a phenomenological study titled, "The Lived Experience of Leading with Values: A Phenomenological Study of Senior Non-Commissioned Officers in a British Army Specialist Unit." This doctoral work builds upon her Master's research from Worcester University, which investigated the relationship between senior leaders' values and organisational commitment within a specialist military context.

In addition to her research, Rachel is the founder of Business Checkmate Ltd. and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM). Her expertise lies in applying complex principles of organisational psychology to develop actionable strategies for professional and business growth. She partners with corporate, third-sector, and military clients to design and deliver tailored programs that enhance leadership, communication, and team performance, effectively bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application.

Research opportunities

Rachel's work lies at the intersection of social psychology, leadership, and applied business strategy. She is primarily focused on using psychological principles to understand and enhance performance in high-stakes environments, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application.

Her key interests include:

Values-Based Leadership: Investigating the impact of leaders' personal values on their behaviours, leadership style, and subsequent influence on organisational commitment.

Phenomenology of Leadership: Exploring the "lived experience" of leaders, particularly the challenges and cognitions of Senior Non-Commissioned Officers in military settings.

Organisational Culture: Analysing the unique cultural dynamics, identity, and group cohesion within specialist military and high-performance teams.

Organisational Development: The strategic development of personnel and teams to help businesses achieve their goals and drive sustainable success.

Translational Research & Consulting: Partnering with corporate, military, and third-sector clients to convert complex psychological theory into actionable strategies for professional and business growth.

Leadership, Training & Coaching: The design and delivery of tailored programs to enhance leadership, communication, and coaching capabilities at all organisational levels.

Marketing & Organisational Identity: As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), her interests include the intersection of marketing principles and social psychology, particularly in shaping internal and external organisational identity.