Enhancing wellbeing among academics – research insights and interventions

Enhancing wellbeing among academics – research insights and interventions 

Abstract: This talk will focus on the wellbeing of people working in academic settings and how this can be improved.  I will provide an overview of my research that has monitored the work-related wellbeing of UK academic employees over the last decade.  I will examine how perceptions of key elements of work, such as demand, control, support and role clarity, have changed over time and their implications for wellbeing and the quality of working life in the sector.  The effort-reward imbalance model will be used to illustrate how perceptions of (in)equity between the efforts invested in work and the rewards received from different aspects of the job can influence mental health and job satisfaction. Particular attention will be given to how academic work can impact personal life and the implications for wellbeing.  Additionally, the talk will consider how individual difference factors, such as job involvement and commitment and boundary management, affect both professional and personal wellbeing.  Ways to improve wellbeing among academics from a multi-level perspective will be considered, offering practical strategies for both individuals and organisations. 

BIO

Dr. Gail Kinman is a Chartered Psychologist and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and the Academy of Social Sciences. She is an occupational health psychologist with extensive experience in research and practice. Gail’s interests mainly focus on improving the working conditions and wellbeing of people who do emotionally demanding work, such as health and social care professionals, prison officers and academics. She is currently working with health and social care professionals to develop and evaluate systemic approaches to building emotional resilience. Gail also has a longstanding interest in work-life balance and the individual and organisational characteristics required to work remotely  in a healthy and sustainable way. She is currently working on several research and consultancy projects in this area.