Future of Work Institute Newsletter
April 2026
It is a privilege to be writing to you for the first time as Director of the Future of Work Institute. I look forward to building on the foundation established by Professor Mark Griffin alongside our research team, valued collaborators and industry partners.
The emerging picture from the first quarter of 2026 is one that many leaders will recognise. Many organisations are slowing hiring, but expecting existing teams to do more with less. AI tools are being introduced quickly, but without always giving people the time or proper training to use them effectively.
Encouragingly, we have a strong understanding of what helps people stay motivated through disruption. It comes down to conditions that leaders can actively create: clear expectations, meaningful autonomy, opportunities to build capability and a genuine sense of connection.
For leaders looking to strengthen motivation in their teams this year, I warmly invite you to explore the 'Curtin Credential: Motivation at Work', a course I developed and lead here at Curtin University. This online course focuses on practical, evidence-based ways to support motivation, wellbeing and performance in response to today’s work environment.
Thank you for your continued engagement and interest in our research. I invite you to read on to discover the latest work from across the Institute.
Warmest regards,
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Marylène Gagné
Director, Future of Work Institute
Curtin University
Please note the Future of Work Institute will be closed over the Easter period, starting from close of business on 2 April 2026 and returning on 8 April 2026.
Upcoming professional development
Curtin Credential: Motivation at Work
Intake: 20 April 2026
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.
Special offer: Use the code 'I0AYOB' to receive $100 OFF your enrolment.
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://creds.curtin.edu.au/courses/motivation-at-work-2026-1
Curtin Credential: SMART Work Design
Intakes: 1 June 2026 & 7 Sept 2026
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.
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://creds.curtin.edu.au/browse/fowi/
Highlights
Credit: icare NSW
Professor Sharon Parker presented a keynote session titled 'Better job design: A strategic imperative for modern workplaces' at the NSW Government's Risk Education eXpress (REX) 2026 People and Risk Forum.
She also presented alongside Professor Karina Jorritsma at the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Initiatives Collaboration Forum.
Credit: icare NSW
Professor Marylène Gagné spoke on 'Future of Work in the Age of AI: A
Human-Centred Perspective on Skills, Learning and Workforce Development' at the Economic Development Australia (EDA) National Roadshow.
Visiting researchers at FOWI
In Q1 2026, we welcomed 15 visiting researchers from eight countries to the Institute, including PhD candidates, early career researchers and senior academics. Their presence reflects the growing reach of our research and the strength of our global collaborations, with more to come from these exchanges in the months ahead.
At the People Solutions Knowledge Series breakfast, Professor Patrick Dunlop unpacked how generative AI may distort assessment outcomes and practical ways employers can manage risk while maintaining a strong candidate experience.
Publications
Dunlop, P. D., & Lievens, F. (2026). From forbid to reimagine: Employer strategies for responding to candidate GenAI use in assessment. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 34(2), e70060. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsa.70060
Gagné, M., Olafsen, A. H., Carpini, J. A., & Frølund, C. W. (2026). Self-determination theory in the workplace: The evolution, present, and beyond. Journal of Business Research, 210, 116146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2026.116146
Zhang, Y., Wang, B., Yang, F., Liao, Y., Ma, X., & Su, S. (2026). Is it too novel to succeed? How technological novelty affects observer responses to entrepreneurship failure. Small Business Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-026-01174-y
Kirk, J. D., Wee, S., Dunlop, P. D., & Holtrop, D. (2026). Investigating a Persona‐Based Social Distance Intervention Aimed at Increasing the Use of Evidence‐Supported Assessments. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 34(1), e70051. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsa.70051
Li, K., Zhang, F., Hughes, L., & Griffin, M. A. (2026). Leveraging Generative AI for Project Management: The Role of Mindfulness and Job Crafting. International Journal of Project Management, 102816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2026.102816
Gagné, M., Olafsen, A. H., Howard, J., Parker, S., Hewett, R., & Frølund, C. W. (2025). What matters more for work motivation? Compensation or work design?. Motivation Science. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000407
Zellman, E., Andrei, D., & Parker, S. (2025). Leadership, follower age, and age-diversity: a systematic review and future directions. Work, Aging and Retirement, waaf014. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waaf014
Xia, M., Dunlop, P. D., Tian, A. W., & Wee, S. (2025). Social Class Signals in Recruitment: Investigating When and Why Signal Relevance and Job's Customer Contact Requirement Shape Hiring Outcomes. Human Resource Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.70042
Karin, E., Gucciardi, D. F., Rigotti, T., Parker, S., Kalisch, R., & Crane, M. F. (2025). Integrating job design and cognitive-emotional processes using latent network analysis: associations with performance and emotional well-being in navy personnel. BMC psychology, 13(1), 1310. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03612-0
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://www.futureofworkinstitute.com.au/publications
Staff achievements
Institute of Public Administration Australia WA Awards
Congratulations to Professor Karina Jorritsma and the team involved in the First Responder Thrive at Work Prevent Harm Toolkit Project, which has received the 'Best Practice in Collaboration Between Government and any other Organisation' award at the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA Achievement Awards.
Led by the WA Mental Health Commission, the project was delivered in collaboration with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA Police Force, Department of Justice, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and St John WA.
John Keats Early Career Award
Congratulations to our Senior Research Fellow Dr Luke Strickland, who has been awarded the 2025 John Keats Early Career Award from the Australian Society for Mathematical Psychology. This award recognises an early career researcher who has made an exceptional contribution in the field of mathematical psychology.
In the media
📰 What’s the secret to a well-rounded life? These researchers have a theory
Professor Sharon Parker
Conference participations
- 8-9 January 2026: 1st Bi-Annual International Compensation, Motivation, and Performance Conference (ICoMP). Professor Marylène Gagné (South Korea).
- 23-25 February 2026: Australasian Mathematical Psychology Conference. Dr Luke Strickland and Wanghuan Lin (Singapore).
Upcoming events
Beyond the individual: Understanding the forces shaping work design
21 April
Join this upcoming webinar to explore the multiple forces that shape work design and what understanding them means for employees, leaders and organisations.
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-the-individual-understanding-the-forces-shaping-work-design
What makes hybrid work, work? The link between hybrid work and performance
7 May
Join this upcoming webinar to explore the key factors of work design that drive performance, and learn how both individuals and organisations can apply these insights to make hybrid work more effective.
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://events.humanitix.com/what-makes-hybrid-work-work-the-link-between-hybrid-work-and-performance
About the Centre for Transformative Work Design
The Centre for Transformative Work Design (CTWD) is a Research Centre where passionate organisational psychology researchers and professionals are working together to transform work under the directorship of Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, Professor Sharon K. Parker.
We conduct high quality, independent and innovative research to understand the role of work design in generating healthy and productive work.
We are committed to fostering the design of good work across all industries.
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://www.transformativeworkdesign.com/
About the Future of Work Institute
The Future of Work Institute promotes productive and meaningful work as an essential foundation of a healthy economy and society. We seek to understand the impact of the digital age in the workplace, particularly the effects of artificial intelligence, changing demographics, and changing patterns of aspiration and mobility.
We are conducting research at the nexus of policy and practice and through working with business, government, not-for-profit and volunteer organisations, we create new ways of organising work and optimising human capability in the workplace.
Or paste this link into a web browser: https://www.futureofworkinstitute.com.au/
Centre for Transformative Work Design Future of Work Institute
Curtin University
78 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
