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< Back The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study: Insights from the Worker Survey and Interviews Read the report About the report This report presents the results of the worker survey and interviews assessing and understanding the experiences of WA mining workers in relation to the three focus areas. Yam, C., Chapman, M., Iles, L., Fruhen, L., Anderson, M., Hendriks, J., Burns, S., and Parker, S. K. (2023). The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study: Insights from the Worker Survey and Interviews. A report prepared by the Centre for Transformative Work Design for the Government of Western Australia. https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2024-03/mars_report_insights_20240312.pdf Citation: Previous Next

Explore our collection of evidence-based resources, designed to influence better work and help workers to thrive in the digital age. Resources Explore our collection of evidence-based resources, designed to improve work, wellbeing, safety and productivity. JUMP TO Frameworks Reports & Guides Short courses & training Frameworks SMART Work Design The SMART work design model outlines five key themes to consider when creating or developing work (Stimulating, Mastery, Agency, Relational, Tolerable Demands). Learn more Thrive at Work The Thrive at Work Framework focuses on helping people get well again (Mitigate Illness), stay well (Prevent Harm) and be the best they can be (Promote Thriving). Learn more 3i model: Inclusion, Individualise & Integrate The 3i model is a simple framework that could guide organisations in adapting their strategies to meet the challenges of an ageing and age diverse workforce. Learn more LEAD Safety Model The LEAD model provides organisations with four clear capabilities to target (Leverage, Energise, Adapt, Defend) in order to improve safety. Learn more Integrated model of organizational change (IMOC) Grounded in self-determination theory, the model explains organisational change practices and the psychological mechanisms that drive acceptance of change. Learn more MAPNet The MAPNet framework details key skills required for employees and organisations to be successful for the future of work. Learn more Reports & Guides Unpacking the Enablers and Hindrances on the PARRTH to SMART Work Design This report presents the results of Design for Care participant interviews assessing their experiences of work redesign. It identifies key organisational, leadership, group, and individual factors that supported or hindered the effectiveness of the work redesigns. Learn more CEPAR Industry Report 2024/2 Mature Workers in Organisations: Understanding Retirement in Australia This report is the result of a collaboration between the Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) and an Australian financial advisory firm, Viridian Advisory. The presented findings highlight interview insights for retirement decision making processes. Learn more The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study: Insights from the Worker Survey and Interviews This report presents the results of the worker survey and interviews assessing and understanding the experiences of WA mining workers in relation to the three focus areas: 1) mental health and well-being, 2) sexual harassment, assault, and a respectful culture, and 3) the future of work in mining. Learn more See all reports & guides Short courses & training SMART Work Design Delivery: Online Date: TBA | Returning in late 2026 How to create good work to increase satisfaction, reduce stress and lead to a flourishing organisation? Based on the SMART Work Design framework founded by John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker, this 8-week online course equips you to redesign your own and others’ work to promote happier, healthier employees and more successful businesses. Register your interest Motivation at Work Delivery: Online Date: 20 April 2026 start How to keep employees engaged and motivated in today's ever-changing work environment? Facilitated by John Curtin Distinguished Professor Marylène Gagné, this 6-week online course explores what drives people to work well, and teaches you the contemporary theory and practical skills to increase motivation in your workplace. Register now

WA Department of Education Unplanned Absenteeism Analysis Project member Project lead Yukun Liu Overview Client: Western Australia Department of Education The Future of Work Institute (FOWI) partnered with the Western Australia Department of Education’s internal workplace planning team to investigate unplanned absenteeism within the department. This collaboration marked the first time that the WA Department of Education’s absenteeism data had been analysed for scientific purposes. Through rigorous statistical analyses, FOWI researchers generated several interesting findings and patterns. Highlights of the findings include: Yearly leave statistics by different categories such as job groups, leave types, regions, and schools; Statistical associations between staff demographics and duration and patterns of their unplanned leave; Pattern differences among teaching and support staff; Statistical associations between yearly leave patterns at the school-level and Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) and; Patterns of monthly leave durations at both the department level and the person level. Industry outcomes Generation of useful data Enabling the WA Department of Education to gain an overview using data insights. Identify features Thoroughly analyse leave patterns across different organisational levels, categories, and time periods. Reduce unplanned absenteeism Propose and design planning strategies or initiatives to effectively reduce department staff.

< Back Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety in the mining industry – Towards a healthy and safe workforce in the mining industry: A review and mapping of current practice Read the report About the report This report report provides an overview and assessment of employee well-being in the Australian mining sector and develops an innovative approach to construct measures of employers’ prioritisation across three focus areas: mental health and well-being, physical health and safety, and workplace culture and sexual harassment/assault. Duncan, A., Kalsi, J., and Mavisakalyan, A. (2022). Towards a healthy and safe workplace in the mining industry: A review and mapping of current practice, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, September 2022. A report prepared by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre for the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Government of Western Australia, 2022. Citation: Previous Next

< Back CEPAR Industry Report 2025/1: Leading for Age Diversity: Evaluation of the Ascent Leadership Program Read the report About the report This report presents the findings from the evaluation of the ‘Ascent’ Leadership Program that was designed and delivered by the CEPAR research team with the aim of developing and empowering leaders to manage the challenges and opportunities associated with an ageing and more age-diverse workforce by applying the Include, Individualise and Integrate (“3I”) strategies and behaviours. Zoszak, L., Zellman, E., Andrei, D. M., & Parker, S. K. Leading for Age Diversity: Evaluation of the Ascent Leadership Program. A report by the Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research. January 2025. https://cepar.edu.au/sites/default/files/Leading-Age-Diversity-Evaluation-Ascent-Leadership-Program.pdf Citation: Previous Next

Explore research partnership opportunities with the Future of Work Institute Partner with us Explore research partnership opportunities with the Future of Work Institute Partner with the Future of Work Institute Partnering with the Future Work Institute connects you with leading organisational psychology researchers who can help tackle your organisation’s most pressing challenges. Our research has helped organisations navigate complex workplace challenges, implement evidence-based solutions and achieve measurable impact across sectors. We provide opportunities for engagement and partnership at all points of the impact cycle Challenge framing Involves opportunities for discussion and planning to identify important future issues and establish the institute’s priority directions Collaborative projects The engine room where applied research is conducted across multiple themes Application and dissemination The production of practical resources including online tools, training programs and policy guidelines Evaluation Involves assessing effectiveness and building an evidence base for effective practices We have helped major organisations solve the following challenges: Equipping the mining industry with evidence-based recommendations into creating positive cultural change Applying work design interventions to address psychosocial risks within the healthcare and social assistance industry Working with organisations to understand their employees’ perception of their wellbeing and engagement Enhancing human capabilities and optimise overall system performance between humans and unmanned autonomous vehicles Investigating responsible and effective use of generative AI technologies in the workplace See our list of partners Our impact cycle Interested in partnering with us? Contact us for more information

Recruitment Roadmap Achieving Clarity, Diversity, and Support for Emergency Volunteers Project members Project lead Professor Patrick Dunlop Project lead Professor Marylène Gagné Project lead Djurre Holtrop Project member Hawa Muhummad Farid Project member Darja Kragt Project member Liz Pritchard Project member Aleksandra Luksyte Overview The Future of Work Institute (FOWI) has partnered with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to deliver organisational resources that work to improve recruitment and retention practices of emergency service volunteers. The research was undertaken through a combination of questionnaires and interviews with volunteers and stakeholders, focused on understanding the recruitment, management, and retention activities that volunteers undertake. Project aim Recruiting and retaining volunteers is becoming an increasingly important issue that is being addressed head-on by emergency services organisations across Australia. This partnership empowers volunteer managers located in Brigades, Groups, and Units (BGUs) to effectively manage the recruitment and retention cycle of volunteers. The project has delivered resources that support the development of role descriptions and localised strategies that drive the effective recruitment, onboarding, and management of volunteers. The suite of resources provides a mechanism to recruit a wider diversity of volunteers who can now find a range of attractive operational and non-operational roles within the volunteer emergency services. Furthermore, the resources provide guidance to volunteer managers on how they can provide needed support to ensure volunteer longevity within their BGUs. Resources developed from our research were launched in Waroona with over 50 volunteer leaders in June 2018, followed by a second release of resources at the Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) conference in September 2019. A final resource on succession planning is currently in development for release in late 2020. Industry outcomes The onboarding and management resource Well-received at the Waroona launch and were praised as being “practical” resources that volunteer managers could use. Creating well-defined role descriptions The methods have been applied in recruitment and role advertisements that are currently being promoted on the revamped DFES Recruitment Website. Consolidated resources We created a training tool called “The Volunteer Recruitment Roadmap”, which has been positively and actively received by emergency services volunteers throughout Western Australia. Key findings from the recruitment resources Have contributed to the widely successful state-wide recruitment campaign, ‘Get Behind the Front Line’, that has generated interest into support and non-operational roles advertised within the emergency services.

< Back Investigative panel into building and retaining an effective homelessness sector workforce Read the report About the report This report outlines a range of organisation- and sector-level policy recommendations to better prepare, attract, recruit and retain employees in the specialist homelessness services (SHS) sector James, A., Dunlop, P.D., Gilbert, C., Gilbert, J., Gagné, M., Parsell, C., Cawthray, J. and Farid, H. (2023) Investigative Panel into building and retaining an effective homelessness sector workforce, AHURI Final Report No. 409, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, Melbourne, https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/409, doi: 10.18408/ahuri8128901. Citation: Previous Next

< Back From Incidents to Insights: A Guide to Leveraging Frontline Perspectives in Operational Debriefs Read the report About the report This toolkit includes resources to help senior prison officers to conduct a learning-focused operational debrief. These tools and insights aim to foster open and honest discussions, empowering team members to voice questions, concerns, and ideas. The goal is to explore lessons learned for continuous improvement. Hosszu, K., Gunson, H., Boeing, A., Chi, J., & Jorritsma, K. (2024). From Incidents to Insights: A Guide to Leveraging Frontline Perspectives in Operational Debriefs. Toolkit by the Future of Work Institute, Curtin University funded by the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia. Citation: Previous Next

Podcasts We shared our thoughts and insights in this selection of radio interviews, podcasts and audio files about a range of work-related topics. Home > Resources > Podcasts REFINE SEARCH Sort by Date (New → Old) Filter by Researcher All Prof Sharon Parker SMART Work Design with Prof Sharon Parker When it comes to work design, we sometimes have an idea of what NOT to do — such as micromanaging, overloading, and mistreating staff. But what SHOULD we be doing? 25 Aug 2025 SMART model, Work design Listen now Prof Sharon Parker New baby, missing partner: Can your relationship survive FIFO life? Having a baby is huge but try doing it with your partner away for weeks at a time. Fly In Fly Out work life - known as FIFO - adds a whole new layer to the chaos of new parenthood. 19 June 2025 Mining, Mental health Listen now Prof Sharon Parker Failing up: why are mediocre workers around me getting promotions? It’s frustrating if you're working hard for a promotion at work just to see a colleague you feel is less deserving advance ahead of you. 19 Dec 2024 Work, Promotions Listen now Prof Sharon Parker SMART Work Design Pt 2 The second of our two-part SMART work design episode sees us explore how we as individuals can ensure that our work settings enable us to thrive. 10 Dec 2024 SMART model, Work design Listen now Prof Sharon Parker SMART Work Design Pt 1 This episode sees Fleur talk us through the SMART work design framework, which supports organisations and individuals to ensure that their work settings enable us to thrive. 26 Nov 2024 SMART model, Work design Listen now Prof Karina Jorritsma Psychosocial Toolkits for First Responders with Karina Jorritsma Karina shares insights from a recent project developing toolkits to assist first responder organisations in preventing psychological harm. 11 Nov 2024 Mental health, Work Listen now Prof Patrick Dunlop Workplace Conversations Podcast by Paul Clifford with Professor Patrick Dunlop In this episode, Professor Patrick Dunlop discusses the impact of AI-based monitoring of employee work performance within organisations. 4 Nov 2024 Work, Recruitment Listen now Prof Sharon Parker WA Scientist of the YEAR - Prof Sharon Parker In this special feature on the WA Scientist of the Year, Professor Sharon Parker reflects on her career journey and her research in work design. 8 Aug 2024 Work design Listen now Prof Sharon Parker Forming Community with S.M.A.R.T Work Design In this episode, we explored Professor Sharon Parker's perspective how the work she does overlaps with this ability to build community. 17 June 2024 SMART model, Work design Listen now Prof Marylène Gagné You Oughta Know with Marylène Gagné Our discussion today will focus on various types of work environments- specifically in how pay and other compensation and benefit models affect motivation, productivity, and performance. 24 May 2024 Work, Motivation Listen now 1 2 3 4 1 ... 1 2 3 4 ... 4

Videos Explore our collection of evidence based videos Home > Resources > Videos Study at FOWI Play Video Play Video 27:39 Information Session: Curtin University Doctoral Program in Business and Management (2021) Play Video Play Video 02:00 Belinda Cham - PhD Research video (Performance & Wellbeing in extreme work environments) Play Video Play Video 02:40 Study at FOWI - Cheryl's story Play Video Play Video 02:58 Study at FOWI - Dan's story Load More Animated videos Play Video Play Video 03:34 Reorienting job crafting research Play Video Play Video 01:40 Thrive at Work Play Video Play Video 03:35 Can high quality jobs help workers learn new tricks? Play Video Play Video 03:13 Designing more stimulating work for Brazilian factories Load More The Future of Work Play Video Play Video 03:36 How would you improve the future of work? Play Video Play Video 01:01 Shaping the future of business and work | Curtin's Future of Work Institute Play Video Play Video 01:01 Leading-edge research at the Future of Work Institute Play Video Play Video 01:41 Professor Mark Griffin | The Future of Work Events, conferences and lectures Play Video Play Video 12:13 Making a Difference: How Does Social Change Happen? Part 3: Professor Mark Griffin Play Video Play Video 03:30 Team work and COVID-19 | Interview with Dr Florian Klonek | ticker NEWS Play Video Play Video 05:49 Sharon Parker- FIFO report Press Release - 5 Dec 2018 Play Video Play Video 19:47 Professor Sharon Parker - Industry Landmark Study Update Load More FOWI Academy Play Video Play Video 01:47:36 From Data to Causes I: Cross-Lagged Panel Modeling in Mplus | FOWI Academy with Prof Mike Zyphur Play Video Play Video 01:41:37 From Data to Causes II: Cross-Lagged Panel Modeling in Mplus | FOWI Academy with Prof Mike Zyphur Play Video Play Video 01:17:51 From Complexity to Causes: EDM for Nonlinear Systems | FOWI Academy with Prof Mike Zyphur Play Video Play Video 01:46:06 Qualitative Research: A practical introduction into the art of getting lost - FOWI Academy Load More Want to see more videos? Explore our YouTube channel for our full and diverse range of content, from research seminar videos to mental health insights and beyond! More videos

Visiting Perth Discover what Perth city has to offer Home > About Us > Visiting Perth Get the most out of Perth Planning to visit Perth or thinking of visiting Perth? Keep reading for our top tips and recommended places to visit, to help you make the most of your upcoming or future trip to this amazing city. Situated on the beautiful western coast of Australia, Perth is a safe, picturesque and multicultural city. Want an exciting shopping trip or cultural exploration? The city centre is home to Elizabeth Quay, colourful shopping malls, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, Yagan Square and many beautiful parks and gardens such as Kings Park and Queens Gardens. Did you know? From Sunday 15 December 2024 to Monday 31 March 2025 all seven Western Australian Museum sites are throwing open their doors with free general admission. Learn more Engage your palate with our culinary delights Perth is home to a diverse range of cafés and restaurants serving global cuisine, allowing you to experience flavors from all over the world. For a taste of history, visit the iconic Fremantle area, situation along the coast of Western Australia and west of Perth city, is a popular and highly recommended destination. Or take a short 25-minute drive to the Swan Valley. Known for its unique blend of wine, food, art, and stunning natural beauty, it's the perfect spot for a memorable day trip. Learn more Experience WA's unique flora and fauna Close to the city centre we recommend visiting the magnificent Kings Park, which showcases more than 3,000 species of flora. Nearby is Perth Zoo that is home to many Australian animals such as kangaroos and koalas. Or hop on a ferry and visit Rottnest/Wadjemup Island home to adorable and friendly quokkas and many stunning snorkeling reef sites situated around. Learn more about Kings Park Learn more about Rottnest/Wadjemup Island Want even more places to visit? Don't worry we've got you covered, our friends at Business Events Perth have put together the 'Live Like a Local' website, a detailed guide full of recommendations and must-visit spots to help you experience the city like a true local. Learn more Beautiful river and ocean views to see! Perth is home to stunning beaches with pristine sand, all just a short distance from the city. Whether you’re visiting Cottesloe, Scarborough, or Trigg Beach, you can relax with fish and chips while watching the sunset, take a refreshing swim, or dive into a snorkeling adventure. Not only that, the city sits along the picturesque Swan River, where you can enjoy a scenic riverside bike ride or get your legs moving with the exciting bridge-to-bridge walk. How to get around Staying in Perth for a couple of days? The Future of Work Institute is centrally located in the heart of Perth. On arrival The international airport is only a short drive away, or use the on the newly opened airport train line for a quick 20-minute commute into the city. For getting around during your stay we recommend using the our efficient public transport system, which includes buses, trains, and ferries. To learn more, visit Transperth We welcome PhD and academics to FOWI, get in touch to discuss visiting Contact us