DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE 2021
THURSDAY 7 - FRIDAY 8 JANUARY 2021, VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Affiliation
Visiting Professor of Occupational Health
Psychology, Birkbeck University of London
Bio
Gail is a Chartered Psychologist and a Fellow of
the British Psychological Society and the Academy of Social Sciences. Gail has published
widely in the field of occupational health psychology, with a particular
interest in the wellbeing of people who work in emotionally demanding
professions such as health and social care staff, prison officers and
teachers. Her recent work focuses on developing and evaluating
multi-level, systemic interventions to enhance resilience and wellbeing. This
work is being used to inform wellbeing assessments and a national ‘emotional
curriculum’ for health and social care professionals. Gail has recently
been commissioned by bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing Foundation,
the Louise Tebboth Foundation and the Society for Occupational Medicine to
conduct national reviews of the work-related wellbeing of healthcare
professionals. She is currently working with the British Psychological
Society on guidelines to help organisations and individuals manage the demands
posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Title
No looking back:
helping individuals and organisations navigate the impact of Covid-19
Abstract
The Covid-19 Pandemic has changed the way that we live and work. For some this has been positive, presenting new opportunities. But for others it has been a time of setbacks and loss as businesses close, redundancy looms, and the effects of inequalities become ever more apparent.
With work related stress and mental health concerns on the rise, and remote working increasing the potential for work life conflict, how can we help organisations and individuals to adapt? How can we use our science to make a difference?
In two linked symposia we explore these questions, drawing on the experience and outputs of the Working Differently Workstream, part of the BPS Covid-19 Response. Central issues covered in the session are the shift to remote working, including the management of remote teams and establishing a sense of community when working virtually; wellbeing in times of uncertainty; and enabling transitions, for example, when young people make key transitions into education and work, or employees need to re-skill, develop new career paths or adapt to less preferred jobs out of economic necessity.
Reflecting on some of the lessons learned, such as the benefits of interdisciplinarity in tackling these issues and the translation of science into products for a wider audience, we suggest ways that the pandemic has challenged and influenced our practice. We also recognise the need for optimism, notwithstanding the obstacles experienced by people when planning for the future during times of high uncertainty. The sessions will involve short presentations by members of the Working Differently group on key issues of concern, discussion and video clips, as well as interactive and reflective elements to engage delegates.
The Working Differently Group is comprised of psychologists from different backgrounds: occupational, educational, health, sport and exercise, clinical, health and safety, and counselling psychology. See https://www.bps.org.uk/coronavirus-resources/coordinating-group/working-differently for details of our outputs.
Email
Social Media
Twitter: @ProfGailK
Affiliation
Visiting Professor of Occupational Health Psychology, Birkbeck University of London
Bio
Gail is a Chartered Psychologist and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and the Academy of Social Sciences. Gail has published widely in the field of occupational health psychology, with a particular interest in the wellbeing of people who work in emotionally demanding professions such as health and social care staff, prison officers and teachers. Her recent work focuses on developing and evaluating multi-level, systemic interventions to enhance resilience and wellbeing. This work is being used to inform wellbeing assessments and a national ‘emotional curriculum’ for health and social care professionals. Gail has recently been commissioned by bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing Foundation, the Louise Tebboth Foundation and the Society for Occupational Medicine to conduct national reviews of the work-related wellbeing of healthcare professionals. She is currently working with the British Psychological Society on guidelines to help organisations and individuals manage the demands posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Title
No looking back:
helping individuals and organisations navigate the impact of Covid-19
Abstract
The Covid-19 Pandemic has changed the way that we live and work. For some this has been positive, presenting new opportunities. But for others it has been a time of setbacks and loss as businesses close, redundancy looms, and the effects of inequalities become ever more apparent.
With work related stress and mental health concerns on the rise, and remote working increasing the potential for work life conflict, how can we help organisations and individuals to adapt? How can we use our science to make a difference?
In two linked symposia we explore these questions, drawing on the experience and outputs of the Working Differently Workstream, part of the BPS Covid-19 Response. Central issues covered in the session are the shift to remote working, including the management of remote teams and establishing a sense of community when working virtually; wellbeing in times of uncertainty; and enabling transitions, for example, when young people make key transitions into education and work, or employees need to re-skill, develop new career paths or adapt to less preferred jobs out of economic necessity.
Reflecting on some of the lessons learned, such as the benefits of interdisciplinarity in tackling these issues and the translation of science into products for a wider audience, we suggest ways that the pandemic has challenged and influenced our practice. We also recognise the need for optimism, notwithstanding the obstacles experienced by people when planning for the future during times of high uncertainty. The sessions will involve short presentations by members of the Working Differently group on key issues of concern, discussion and video clips, as well as interactive and reflective elements to engage delegates.
The Working Differently Group is comprised of psychologists from different backgrounds: occupational, educational, health, sport and exercise, clinical, health and safety, and counselling psychology. See https://www.bps.org.uk/coronavirus-resources/coordinating-group/working-differently for details of our outputs.
Social Media
Twitter: @ProfGailK