Our vision
The Centre’s vision is to enable a future where workers and organisations are empowered by technology, rather than beholden to it.
Addressing important issues
There is an urgent need for quality work as a source of productivity, well-being and social cohesion. By fostering collaboration amongst key stakeholders to design future practice, education and policy, the Centre will ensure work remains a source of personal growth for all people.
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 university connections span across Australia and beyond with:
17
Chief Investigators
12
Partner Investigators
12
Associate Investigators
5
Scientific Advisory
Panel Members
Host university
University nodes
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
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.
Transformative Work Design: Synthesis and New Directions
ARC Laureate Fellow Professor Sharon Parker
Director
"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
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Quality Work in a Digital Age
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Quality Work in a Digital Age acknowledges Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we research, learn and collaborate throughout Australia. We recognise their continuous relationship to the land and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.