About Us

Championing fresh thinking has been at the heart of the Emerald business for more than 55 years. 

Emerald was born in 1967 by a group of business academics at the University of Bradford School of Management, UK, who recognised the vital link between academic theory and the real world.  

Knowing the body of management research could make a practical impact on the world, the group set out to fill a gap that no existing publishers had the necessary focus to achieve. 

Fast forward over 55 years and our mission to go beyond the bounds of a traditional publisher and drive positive change remains the same as it did all those years ago. 

To publish research that has real world impact by creating an equitable research and publishing environment where all voices are represented and heard. 

We’re a global, digital-first publisher, committed to doing things differently. By aligning everything we do to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we commission, curate and showcase research that can make a real difference. 

Our books present lasting records of some of the most pressing subjects impacting the world today, offering a platform for innovative and interdisciplinary research across a broad range of topics. They address significant issues, with real-life applications.

Alongside our extensive books programme, we publish mission-led, social science research via 300+ journals and nearly 2900 case studies. 

Our goal is to help those in academia or people in practice work together to make a positive change. While our roots are in publishing, we recognise our audiences need unique support, guidance and resources.  

The world of academia is under increasing pressure and expectation, and the traditional markers of influence such as citations are limited. Our role is to help challenge conventional ways of thinking, bringing people together to discover, curate and put into practice research that really matters. 

Being acknowledged by our industry for the positive work we are doing is really rewarding.

Most recently we were placed number 32 in the top 50 Inspiring Workplaces in the UK and Ireland! The awards recognise People First Organisations, something we’re always working hard to achieve to ensure we create a positive and inclusive work culture for our people. 

We're also proud to be acknowledged and shortlisted in the 2024 Alison Morrison Diversity and Inclusivity Award, part of the Independent Publishing Awards, and shortlisted in the Academic, Educational and Professional Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards.