Personal profile
Research interests
I am a Senior Lecturer in Business Economics at the University of Bath School of Management. My primary research interests surround the governance and regulation of organisations, with a particular focus on the provision of public utilities and other key sectors, most notably the global tobacco industry. I have researched the conduct, performance, and market impact of transnational companies, and appropriate regulatory measures that might be applied to such companies in order to secure the public interest. More recently I have developed an interest in the conduct and performance of micro-firms, especially in the area of regulation.
I have worked with and have been funded by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), The Irish Cancer Society, The Irish Heart Foundaction, The Royal Economics society, the National Insitute for Health Research, and Cancer Research UK. I have shared my expertise with the Houses of Parliament, HM Treasury, and the Department for Health in the UK, and the Ministry of Finance in the Republic of Ireland, and I and my work have been featured in various national media outlets.
Willing to supervise doctoral students
I am interested in hearing from potential PhD students who wish to explore topics in the area the Regulation and Governance of organisations. I would particularly welcome contract from those wanting to explore any aspect of Tobacco companies behaviour or regulation, and the the governance of 'third sector' organisations, such as companies governed by Trusts (e.g. Companies Limited by Guarantee such as Network Rail).
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 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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STOP 2
Gilmore, A. (PI), Bloomfield, M. J. (CoI), Branston, R. (CoI), Gallagher, A. (CoI), Rowell, A. (CoI), Braznell, S. (Researcher), Chamberlain, P. (Researcher), Elmitwalli, S. (Researcher), Fitzpatrick, I. (Researcher), Gallagher, A. (Researcher), Gatehouse, T. (Researcher), Hiscock, R. (Researcher), Jardim, C. (Researcher), Laurence, L. (Researcher), Legg, T. (Researcher), Matthes, B. (Researcher) & Sheikh, Z. (Researcher)
1/01/23 → 31/12/26
Project: Other
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Using Nielsen Data to Evaluate the Impact of Standardised Packaging of Tobacco in the UK
Gilmore, A. (PI), Augustin, N. (CoI), Branston, R. (CoI), Evans-Reeves, K. (CoI) & Hiscock, R. (CoI)
1/06/17 → 31/07/20
Project: UK charity
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Understanding the Impact of Tobacco Tax Increases and Tobacco Industry Pricing on Smoking Behaviours and Inequalities
Gilmore, A. (PI), Branston, R. (CoI), Sims, M. (CoI) & Hiscock, R. (Researcher)
National Institute for Health Research
1/09/14 → 31/12/21
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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Understanding the Impact of Tobacco Tax Increasses and Tobacco Industry Pricing on Smoking Behaviours and Inequalities
Branston, R. (PI)
National Institute for Health Research
1/09/14 → 31/08/17
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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Ending duty-free tobacco sales would be good for health – and health budgets
Hoek, J., Branston, J. R. & Gendall, P., 26 Jan 2026, The Conversation.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
Open Access -
Reducing tobacco supplier profits and pricing power: Modelling the impact of a tobacco price cap and tax increase on socioeconomic inequalities in England
Gillespie, D., Morris, D., Kai Le Chen, R., Brennan, A. & Branston, J. R., 23 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Social Science & Medicine. 119325.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure) -
The case against duty free tobacco sales: An analysis from Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Gendall, P., Branston, J. R. & Hoek, J., 26 Jan 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Tobacco Control.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile67 Downloads (Pure) -
An assessment of proposals for reforming the European Union’s Tobacco Tax Directive
López-Nicolás, Á., Branston, R. & Ross, H., 31 Mar 2025, In: International Journal of Drug Policy. 137, 104724.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
Effect of eliminating the sale of duty-free tobacco products: A natural experiment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, 2020-2023
Sanna, M., Tsai, M.-K., Branston, J. R., Liu, C.-H. & Gao, W., 5 Oct 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Tobacco Control. tc-2025-059650.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile115 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Nominated for University of Bath Academic Advisor award
Branston, R. (Recipient), Mar 2026
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) 2026 Conference
Jardim, C. (Poster presenter), Hiscock, R. (Contributor), Branston, R. (Contributor) & Gilmore, A. (Contributor)
4 Mar 2026 → 7 Mar 2026Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Conference presentation / attendance
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How the Polluter Pays Levy Scheme would work
Branston, R. (Speaker)
28 Oct 2025Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
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How a Polluter Pays Levy Scheme would work
Branston, R. (Speaker)
17 Jul 2017Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
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How the Polluter Pays Levy Scheme would work
Branston, R. (Speaker)
10 Jul 2025Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
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Tobacco Endgame CRE Webinar Series
Branston, R. (Speaker)
11 Nov 2025Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Other academic event (organisation, presentation, attendance)