Our vision
The Centre’s vision is to enable a future where workers and organisations are empowered by technology, rather than beholden to it.
A connected frontier
Our university connections span across Australia with:
17
Chief Investigators
7
University Partners
"Algorithms are not just tools anymore… they are enabling us to reimagine our lives and our work"
The Economy of Algorithms
Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz
Chief Investigator
“Artificial (intelligence) can be good; it takes on the dirty, the dull, and the dangerous… But there are some very real risks. The stakes are as high as they could be. Our very humanity is on the line”
Faking It: Artificial Intelligence in a Human World
ARC Laureate Fellow Professor Toby Walsh
Chief Investigator
Despite the economic and psychological value of well-designed work, many people around the world have rubbish jobs. Some workers’ spirits are crushed by bureaucracy, some have mentally checked out of their work due to its worthlessness, and many are just worn down by relentless job demands. We need change.
SMART Work Design, forthcoming
Professor Sharon Parker
Director
Our research framework
The Centre’s research framework consists of three interlinked streams of research and a test-bed for trialling evidence-backed ideas, called the “Design in Action Hub”.
This research focuses on:
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Implementing AI and digital technologies to achieve healthy and productive work.
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Developing standards for the control and accountability of AI-driven decision making.
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Building trustworthy technology that works collaboratively with humans.
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This research focuses on:
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Developing remote networked operations.
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Designing optimal hybrid models of flexible working.
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Improving work in the platform economy.
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This research focuses on:
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How to design work to enhance and sustain human skill.
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Identifying skills for senior leaders in an AI economy.
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Supporting agility & transitions across jobs and careers.
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Design in Action Hub focuses on applying the new knowledge generated in the research streams via influencing:
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Practice: Tools, guidance, case studies and publications to support technology implementation.
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Public Policy: Informing and shaping of policy via think tanks, dialogues and reports.
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Education: Influencing vocational, higher education and work training.
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Stream 1
Professor Frank Vetere
The University of Melbourne
Stream 1
Dr Tim Ballard
The University of Queensland
Stream 1
Professor Toby Walsh
UNSW Sydney
Director and Stream 3
Professor Sharon Parker
Curtin University
Deputy Director and Stream 1
Professor Andrew Neal
The University of Queensland
Stream 1 Lead
Dr Tim Ballard
The University of Queensland
Stream 1
Professor Jeannie Paterson
University of Melbourne
Stream 1
Professor Maureen Dollard
University of South Australia
Stream 1
Professor Frank Vetere
University of Melbourne
Stream 1
Professor Tim Miller
The University of Queensland
Stream 2 Lead
Professor Mark Griffin
Curtin University
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Stream 2
Professor Karina Jorritsma
Curtin University
Stream 2
Dr Wafa Johal
University of Melbourne
Stream 2
Professor Mark Billinghurst
University of South Australia
Stream 2
Associate Professor Catherine Collins
UNSW Sydney
Stream 3
Future-Ready Workforce
Stream 3 lead
Professor Eva Kyndt
Swinburne University of Technology
Stream 3
Professor Dean Lusher
Swinburne University of Technology
Stream 3
Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz
Queensland University of Technology
University nodes
Latest news
Our objectives
01
Augment the performance of employees by using technology, enabling teams in complex networks to collaborate effectively, and enhancing skills and employability for all.
02
Produce ground-breaking insights for an innovative sociotechnical approach to the design, implementation, use, and evaluation of digital technology.
03
Build national capability by equipping outstanding scholars with the passion, skill, and confidence to carry out vital research on this topic, across disciplinary boundaries.
04
Create evidence-based tools, methods, and guidance that are widely disseminated to workers, managers, educators, policy makers, and technologists.
05
Enhance the work design skills of key stakeholders, including organisational leaders and policy makers, to enable productive, healthy, and inclusive workplaces across Australia.
Our team in action
Our team
Our team comprises dynamic individuals at the forefront of their fields, united by a shared commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing pressing challenges.
Director | Stream 3
Professor Sharon Parker
Curtin University
Deputy Director | Stream 1
Professor Andrew Neal
University of Queensland
Partner Investigators
Professor Gareth Baynam
Rare Care Centre, Perth Children's Hospital
Professor Kevin Crowston
Syracuse University
Professor Tony Dundon
University of Limerick
Professor Gudela Grote
ETH Zurich
Professor Steve Kozlowski
University of South Florida
Professor Peter Radoll
Radoll & Associates
Professor Beatrice van der Heijden
Radboud University
Dr Jessie Koen
TNO Netherlands
Stream 2
Networked Workplaces
Stream 2 lead
Professor Mark Griffin
Curtin University
Stream 2
Professor Karina Jorritsma
Curtin University
Stream 2
Dr Wafa Johal
The University of Melbourne
Stream 2
Professor Mark Billinghurst
University of South Australia
Stream 2
Associate Professor Catherine Collins
UNSW Sydney
Stream 3
Associate Professor Char-lee McLennan
Queensland University of Technology
Stream 1
Augmented Working
Stream 1 Lead
Professor Tim Miller
The University of Queensland
Stream 1
Professor Jeannie Paterson
The University of Melbourne
Stream 1
Professor Maureen Dollard
University of South Australia
Dr Cecile Paris
CSIRO Data61
Maria Luce Lupetti
Polytechnic University
of Turin
Assistant Professor
Lauren Waardenburg
Essec Business School
Dr Sean Rintel
Microsoft
Contact
Location
Professor Sharon Parker
Centre Director
Hai Binh Lam
Partnership Manager
Future of Work Institute
Curtin Graduate School of Business
78 Murray Street
Perth WA 6000
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