Meet Our Faculty: Humans of Social Science | Geraint Harvey, DANCAP Private Equity Chair and Professor, DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies

For Professor Geraint Harvey, an interest in the social sciences grew from both personal experience and academic discovery. Harvey was raised in Maesteg, a former coal-mining town in South Wales, UK, a community shaped by strong working-class roots and a shared sense of identity. Following the closure of the mines and major employers, the town faced economic hardship, but its sense of community remained strong.

“My parents were politically aware, if not especially active,” Harvey recalls. His mother worked as a teacher and his father as a fitter, and conversations about society and politics were part of everyday life. Growing up in that environment sparked an early awareness of how economic and social structures shape communities.

Discovering the Social Sciences

Harvey’s academic journey began at Cardiff University, where he completed a BA in Philosophy. It was there that he encountered the ideas of influential thinkers such as Marx, Weber, Hegel, Heidegger, and Bourdieu. These perspectives helped deepen his interest in understanding society, power, and the structures that shape everyday life.

During his Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, also at Cardiff University, Harvey studied in a program that brought together insights from multiple disciplines. He credits the diverse perspectives of his instructors — including a labour economist, an industrial sociologist, and a political scientist — for shaping how he thinks about organizations and people at work.

Those experiences inspired him to continue his studies and pursue a doctorate shortly after completing his Master’s degree.

Teaching That Sparks Interest

In the classroom, Harvey keeps his goal simple: he hopes students leave with a genuine interest in the material.

For him, engagement with ideas is the starting point for deeper learning. Whether discussing organizations, management, or workplace dynamics, Harvey aims to spark curiosity that encourages students to think more critically about how institutions and people interact.

Why People Matter

At the heart of Harvey’s work is a fascination with people and the stories they carry with them.

“People are fascinating,” he says. “Everyone has a story to tell.” Some stories directly inform research, while others simply offer unexpected insights into lived experiences. Harvey recalls one interview that lasted more than four hours—a testament to how complex and engaging human stories can be.

Challenging a Myth in Management

One misconception Harvey would like to correct is the belief that people management is less important than other aspects of business or organizational leadership.

In reality, he argues, the ways organizations understand and support the people who work within them are fundamental to long-term success.

Moments That Stay With You

Like many educators, Harvey remembers moments of feedback that shaped his development as a teacher. Early in his career, he received a module evaluation from a student who described his lectures as dull and uninspiring.

“It was deeply upsetting at the time,” Harvey reflects. But with time, he realized the comment may have contained a valuable lesson. The experience became formative in helping him refine his teaching style and approach in the classroom.

The Human Side of Social Science

Outside of teaching and research, Harvey has a story that often surprises students. In 1992, he appeared on the UK high school quiz show Blockbusters. His brother had previously competed on the show and performed extremely well. Harvey, on the other hand, jokes that he didn’t win a single game.

One book that left a lasting impression on him is Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, a novel known for its sharp critique of bureaucracy and institutional logic.

When it comes to music, Harvey says the song that instantly lifts his mood is “Bing Bong” by Super Furry Animals.

Social Science, in One Word

When asked to describe Social Science in a single word, Harvey chooses:

Undervalued.

For Harvey, understanding people, organizations, and society is essential — even if the importance of those insights is sometimes overlooked.