Stella McKnight

Stella’s research interest is in work-related, work-based learning and employability. Current research is aimed at exploring models of work-based learning and measuring impact within the business. Stella is also co-researching a project to improve the process of selecting student work placement opportunities, ensuring that the experience develops employability skills.

She is currently studying for the Doctor of Education degree: ‘Into a New World’: Degree Apprenticeships - Transforming Digital and Technologist Education, using work-based learning models'.

Stella McKnight, MBA (Technology Management), BEd (Hons), CMI Chartered Manager, MCMI is Director of Employer Partnerships at the University and Programme Leader for employer-sponsored Degree Programmes within the Faculty of Business, Law and Sport. These comprise the BA (Hons) Business Management for IT and the  BSc (Hons) Information Systems Management programmes.

She has over 20 years of experience in education and successful collaboration with employers and as Chair of the EM3LEP Skills and Employability Group, regional CMI board member and Chartered Manager, she has been involved in policy discussions. Stella’s role is to lead the University’s employer engagement strategy, working with and supporting private, public and third-sector employers. This includes the design of courses to meet both current and future training and development needs, supporting placement and internship initiatives and encouraging research and knowledge exchange. 

More recently Stella has been working with the Tech Partnership in the design of the Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions, an employer-led and government-supported initiative aimed at meeting the future skills needs of the employer whilst supporting the career aspirations of the student-apprentice. 

Stella’s success in partner working has been based on building an open and transparent working relationship with each partner, together with establishing shared commitment to meeting business objectives. This approach has encouraged organisational agility in ensuring employer-led programmes continue to meet the needs of the business.

• Work-Based Learning
• Employability
• Continuing Professional Development

Stella is Chair of Hampshire Young Enterprise and sits on several influential Boards, including: 

• Basingstoke and Deane Strategic Partnership
• Basingstoke Consortium
• Destination Basingstoke
• Basingstoke Business Partnership
• Teen Tech

She is also a member of the University's Centre for Apprenticeship Research and Knowledge Exchange.