People, Work, Society
Our community of researchers work across disciplines and sectors, engaging with stakeholders and communities, on a wide range of topics relating to People, Work and Society.
Overview
People, Work, Society is one of the Earth Institute's seven thematic research areas. Academic members of the water theme are drawn from across UCD and represent a wide range of disciplines and approaches.
The Institute works to support new connections and collaborations across disciplines and sectors and to enhance the impact and profile of research in this area.
Get in touch with our People, Work, Society theme leads to find out more about our work in this area.
People, Work, Society research in UCD
People, Work, Society researchers in UCD are tackling global, national and local challenges - how do we ensure people can flourish in the transition to a sustainable, regenerative system; how do we ensure the future of work, that work is fit for purpose and that people can get decent work; how do we elevate care and caring to a valued position in society; how do we ensure racial justice fundamental to collective progress; how do we motivate and create new systems that put people at the forefront of progressive thinking and action?
People, Work, Society research in UCD is carried out in a range of schools and colleges, centres, institutes and groups including:
Recent talks
Watch a selection of recent People, Work, Society-themed talks, seminars and coffee morning presentations on topics including the capacity of democratic and legal institutions to deliver environmental action, corporate sustainability disclosures and the effective governance of climate adaptation.
Member news
Professor Donna Marshall (UCD College of Business) and Visiting Assistant Professor Hakan Karaosman have been awarded a Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award for research in sustainable and ethical supply chains in the fashion industry.
Research with impact
At UCD, our research makes a difference. We aim to collaborate and co-design research with the communities most impacted by our work, improving the lives of people throughout the world and working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The case studies below highlight some of the positive impact that research by Earth Institute members has had on Ireland and the world.
Case study: The four day week
Dr Orla Kelly from the UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice led the Irish component of the first coordinated international trial of work time reduction. So far, 3500 employees across 150 organisations have participated in the 6-month, company-led trials, including 188 employees from 12 firms in Ireland. Employees on the trial have seen gains in physical and mental health, better sleep and higher rates of life satisfaction. These results have been widely covered by national and international media, and the team has briefed politicians in the US, UK and Ireland helping direct society toward a more sustainable and healthy work culture.
Working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals
