Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Claire is the Course Leader for the BA(Hons) Events Management and BA(Hons) Hospitality Management courses at the University of Northampton and the Deputy Head of School for the School of Marketing and Hospitality Management. Her current teaching covers risk management, business practice, diversity & inclusion, event strategy development, and sustainable project management.
Claire joined the University from English National Ballet (ENB) where she was Head of Enterprises & Events, leading the set up and operations of all commercial functions of the company. She also led the development and delivery of all event activity across the company including the opening of their new building, opening nights, Royal visits, and fundraising Galas. Prior to ENB, Claire founded and led Mackerel Sky Events, delivering a vast range of event projects including Agile on the Beach, City of Lights, BBC Blast, and Bloodhound SSC.
Outside of UON, Claire presents and consults with various organisations and businesses including the British Science Festival, Imperial War Museum and Sport England. She is Chair of the Association for Event Management Education Research Special Interest Group and Co-Lead for the Simulation Special Interest Group in the Centre for Active Digital Education.
Claire holds a BSc (Hons) Mathematics, an MBA, and a PhD in Events Management, focusing on decision-making in events management and how event managers navigate difficult on-event decisions to create frameworks of good practice. She is a National Fellow of the Centre for Events and Festivals and a published author with texts on virtual events management, events mis-management, and contemporary issues. Her current research projects span Agile event management practice and applied game theory.
External positions
Research Advisor, The Power of Events
1 Jun 2022 → 6 Dec 2025
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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- 2 Similar Profiles
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Understanding Responsibility for Risk
Drakeley, C. (PI), Nunan, J. (CoI) & Jasinski, D. (CoI)
1/08/24 → 30/06/25
Project: Internal Fund › Other funding
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The Value of the UK Outdoor Events Industry: Economic Value, Employment and the Issues That Matter
John Gallery, 5 May 2026, Event Industry Forum. 20 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned Report › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Contemporary Issues for Events
Drakeley, C. (Editor) & Brown, T. (Editor), 2 May 2025, Goodfellow Publishers. 244 p. (Events Management Theory and Methods)Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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Is there a doctor in the house? Addressing the challenges of medical provision for events
Drakeley, C., Garlick, A., Kerr, G. & Radcliffe, K., 2 May 2025, Contemporary Issues in Events. Drakeley, C. & Brown, T. (eds.). Goodfellow Publishers, 16 p.Research output: Contribution to Book/Report › Chapter › peer-review
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Building and Influencing Inclusive Culture at the University of Northampton
Jordan, F., Reic, I. & Drakeley, C., 7 Mar 2024Research output: Non-Textual Output › Digital or Visual Media
Open AccessFile -
Designing the virtual and hybrid event experience
Brown, T. & Drakeley, C., 1 Apr 2023, Cases for Event Management and Event Tourism. Getz, D. & Ziakas, V. (eds.). Goodfellow Publishers, p. 29-31 3 p. (Events Management Theory and Methods Series).Research output: Contribution to Book/Report › Chapter › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
From Pixels to Possibilities: Innovations within Virtual and Hybrid Events
Brown, T. & Drakeley, C., 5 Aug 2023, Virtual Events Management. Drakeley, C. & Brown, T. (eds.). Goodfellow Publishers, p. 1-25 24 p.Research output: Contribution to Book/Report › Chapter › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Lessons learned and looking ahead: the potential of virtual and hybrid Events
Brown, T. & Drakeley, C., 5 Aug 2023, Virtual Events Management. Drakeley, C. & Brown, T. (eds.). Goodfellow Publishers, p. 228-238 10 p.Research output: Contribution to Book/Report › Chapter › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Virtual Events Management: Theory and Methods for Event Management and Tourism
Drakeley, C. & Brown, T., Aug 2023, Goodfellow Publishers.Research output: Book/Report › Book
Activities
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Centre for Active Digital Education (Organisational unit)
Drakeley, C. (Chair)
1 Jun 2026 → …Activity: Membership of a Board, Committee, Council or Network › Membership of council › Knowledge Exchange
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Taylor and Francis Ltd. (Publisher)
Drakeley, C. (Reviewer)
15 Jun 2026Activity: Publication Peer-review and Editorial Work › Publication Peer-review › Research
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Operation Nexus + Case Study
Drakeley, C. (Creator) & Somerfield, K. (Creator)
21 May 2026Activity: Other Knowledge Exchange or Research Activity › Blogging activity › Knowledge Exchange
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Managing Complexity
Drakeley, C. (Author)
11 Jun 2026Activity: Academic Talks or Presentations › Keynote › Knowledge Exchange
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Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: Pitching Live. Experiential Learning and Industry Partnership in Advertising
Somerfield, K. (Creator) & Drakeley, C. (Creator)
9 Jun 2026Activity: Other Knowledge Exchange or Research Activity › Blogging activity › Knowledge Exchange
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Simulation Pedagogy Round Table
Drakeley, C. (Author) & Jasinski, D. (Speaker)
24 Jun 2026Activity: Academic Talks or Presentations › Conference Presentation › Knowledge Exchange
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Tested Under Pressure - What the Re-ACT simulation taught UON about keeping people safe
Drakeley, C. (Consultant)
6 Jul 2026Activity: Other Knowledge Exchange or Research Activity › Blogging activity › Knowledge Exchange
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Protecting People Strengthening Places - University as Facilitator
Drakeley, C. (Author)
24 Jun 2026Activity: Academic Talks or Presentations › Conference Presentation › Knowledge Exchange