Management School launches new Centre for Organisational and Employee Wellbeing
The Management School is launching its new Research Centre for Organisational and Employee Wellbeing on 19 October 2022, building on the School’s long-standing track record of wellbeing related research, and its commitment to research relevant to contemporary issues in society.
Led by Professor of Management and Organisation, Damian O’Doherty, the Centre for Organisational and Employee Wellbeing (COEW) brings together interdisciplinary researchers, to shed light on how organisational culture and management affect production, working life and health.
Its consolidation as a research centre follows impactful studies on areas including; gender inequality, work-life balance and employee precarity.
The COEW will develop the School's contribution to established themes, with a strong focus on applying ideas through funding and impact-related work.
“With the launch of the new centre, we are recognising the quality and impact of the research produced by our colleagues in the organisational and employee wellbeing area”, said Professor Julia Balogun, Dean of the University of Liverpool Management School.
“At this stage, we believe further support will reinforce the Centre’s research agenda, with innovative studies on organisational approaches to employee wellbeing, and solving issues of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“We are looking forward to seeing the new Centre’s progression and how it adds value to our growing portfolio of research centres.”
Prioritising employee wellbeing for better organisational performance
Focusing on ‘People and Change Management Practices’ and ‘Equality, Diversity and Wellbeing’ research, the Centre will provide evidence-based insights on how to thrive and flourish, whether as organisations or as an employee.
With ‘burnout’ recognised by the World Health Organisation as an “occupational phenomenon”, the onus is on organisations to manage it, prevent it and promote systematic workplace wellbeing practices.
“Stressed out, burned out and churned up employees are not individual issues, but core business problems with an impact on organisational performance”, said Professor O’Doherty.
“Employee wellbeing and mental health need to be addressed at strategic and cultural levels, as they are critical in developing workplace resilience.
“Our research brings together insight from different disciplines, such as psychology, economics, sociology, political science, etc, to deepen our understanding of what workplace wellbeing is, and provide evidence-based guidance with a practical impact for business practice and policymaking.”
New research centres as part of the School’s 20th anniversary celebrations
After two decades of learning to make a difference with our investment in research relevant to contemporary issues in society, the School is launching the COEW in late October 2022 alongside the new Centre for Sustainable Business, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
During the event, the Centre’s research agenda and future plans will be presented to businesses, policymakers and academics, and will be an opportunity to with local organisations seeking to foster positive health and wellbeing across their workforce.
If you would like to attend the COEW launch event on 19 October 2022, please register here.