Workplace Health and Wellbeing
Our research is enhancing the well-being of employees by addressing the root causes of work-related health issues and supporting employers in creating healthier work environments.
Our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of workers by tackling the root causes of work-related ill health and promoting healthier, more inclusive working environments. We aim to generate evidence-based insights that support organisations in preventing occupational diseases and managing health risks effectively. Through collaborative research, we seek to influence policy, practice, and regulation, both nationally and internationally, while addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, health inequalities, and economic inactivity.
Scope
This theme focuses on a broad range of issues affecting workplace health, including:
- Physical and mental health conditions linked to work, such as musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory illnesses, and communicable diseases.
- Identification of emerging occupational health risks and conditions.
- Addressing health inequalities, supporting return-to-work initiatives, and reducing economic inactivity.
- Cross-theme collaboration with areas such as Leadership and Social Change, and Digital Safety.
- International research partnerships to share knowledge and learn from global approaches to workplace health.
- Use of health, work, and exposure data, including health surveillance, to identify trends and inform interventions.
- Translational research to develop, test, and implement practical interventions, including education, training, and policy engagement.
Objectives
- Strengthen International Collaboration and Engagement: Foster relationships with other themes and platforms to address overlapping issues such as mental health, stress, fatigue, and digital safety.
- Develop Workshops and Research Initiatives: Organise workshops around workers' health and the impact of climate change and net zero initiatives, leading to research proposals and funding opportunities.
- Increase Funding Opportunities: Enhance funding opportunities in the area of work and health by targeting specific projects and proposals. This includes looking beyond traditional research councils to identify and pursue funding from a wider range of sources, such as industry partnerships, philanthropic organisations, and international funding bodies . Additionally, ensure collaborative working to apply for larger funding pots, leveraging the combined expertise and resources of multiple stakeholders to maximise the impact and scope of research initiatives.
Research theme team
- UoM Lead: Anne Clayson
- HSE Lead: David Fishwick
- HSE Strategic Science Adviser: Yiqun Chen
- HSE Science Business Partner: Kerry Poole
- HSE ERCL lead: TBC