The Work, Learning and Wellbeing evidence programme is a collaboration between the University of 
East Anglia and the University of Essex. The evidence programme is focused on protecting and enhancing the wellbeing of workers, adult learners and those seeking work. The programme seeks to find practical answers to questions such as:
- Is it possible to change working practices so that workers are happier, more productive and absent less often?
- How can growing numbers of older workers best adapt to working later in life and find new jobs in changing labour markets?
- What lifelong learning opportunities do adults require in order to thrive in globalised and technologically advanced economy?
- What are the societal costs of ignoring worker wellbeing?
The project team have two major guiding principles
First ,’what works’ for wellbeing needs to be actionable by workers, adult learners, those seeking work and those close to them eg. line managers, educators, careers advisors, job centre staff – so our focus is on what can be done ‘on the ground’.
Second, because wellbeing is comprised of many things, we will focus on approaches that offer improvements across a broad range of the elements of wellbeing and a broad range of people.
The evidence programme consists of three major themes
- Work – focused on those already in work
- Transitions – focused on those moving between jobs and in or out of the labour market
- Learning – focused the formal and informal learning of adults across the lifespan
Lead investigator
Kevin Daniels is Professor of Organizational Behaviour in the Employment Systems and Institutions Group, Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Kevin has been actively researching and providing advice on improving wellbeing for over 20 years – and has worked on numerous projects concerned with developing practical guidance for improving work-related wellbeing.
We are delighted that the Universities of East Anglia and Essex have been asked to lead the evidence programme concerned with Work, Learning and Wellbeing and we are looking forward to working with the other evidence programmes and contributing to the What Works Wellbeing Centre. Good quality jobs and opportunities to acquire and use skills are not only key factors in the wellbeing of individuals and families, but also the economic and social wellbeing of communities.
Co-investigators in alphabetical order
| Dr Mark Bryan transitions theme co-lead, Univeristy of Sheffield | Dr Chidiebere Ogbonnaya analytics, UEA |
| Dr Sara Connolly transitions theme co-lead, UEA | Prof Anna Robinson-Pant learning theme co-lead, UEA |
| Dr Lee Hooper biomedical science, UEA | Prof Fujian Song biomedical science, UEA |
| Dr Simonetta Longhi analytics, University of Essex | Prof John Street public engagement and policy, UEA |
| Dr Alita Nandi analytics, University of Essex | Prof Gareth Thomas employment law, UEA |
| Prof Karina Nielsen work theme lead, UEA | Prof Olga Tregaskis learning theme co-lead, UEA |
