Hosted by the School of Geographical Sciences

Prof Gail Kinman has discovered concerning results showing the wellbeing of academics is considerably worse than that of the general population, including a major report published last year.

This webinar will focus on the wellbeing of people working in academic settings and how this can be improved. Peter Watson will provide an overview of his research, tracking the work-related wellbeing of UK academic and academic-related employees in the last decade. How perceptions of key elements of work, such as demand, control, support and role clarity, have changed over time will be considered together with their implications for wellbeing and the  quality of working life.

Using the effort-reward imbalance model to illustrate how perceptions of (in)equity between efforts expended and rewards received from various aspects of the job can impact on wellbeing and satisfaction. Focus will also be placed on perceptions of change and change management in the sector and the additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways that individual difference factors, such as the academic role, job involvement and (over)commitment to work, and boundary management behaviours, underpin the quality of professional and personal life will also be examined.

Focus will be placed on mental health and burnout and recent research that highlights the support needs of the workforce. Ways to improve wellbeing from a multi-level perspective will be considered, with guidance provided for individuals as well as organisations.

Join via Zoom: https://bristol-ac-uk.zoom.us/ j/98805675957? pwd=UVNCeEhwamdzNGlVTERhRlFxZUox