Seminar series

The final seminar involved presentations and debates in the first half followed by discussion in small groups to develop ideas for future research.

It drew together the findings from the seminar series (with opening address by Dame Carol Black) and explored the extent to which Big Data on digital working practices can indicate employee wellbeing, how it complements and extends beyond other indicators of organisational health, how it might help to extend knowledge on health and wellbeing and how it might be used to inform interventions to prevent ill-health.

Delegates included policy makers, organisational representatives and academics. We invited delegates at this final seminar to be part of a steering group to take the ideas forward and shape future research.

Agenda

10:15 Arrival and coffee

10:30 Introduction to the day. Dr. Carolyn Axtell, the University of Sheffield

10:40 “Improving the health and wellbeing of working people” Professor Dame Carol Black

11:10 “Findings from the ESRC Seminar Series on Big Data and Employee Wellbeing”, The Convenors

11:30 Discussant: “Putting the findings in Context – Key themes and questions” Emma Donaldson-Feilder/Rachel Lewis: Director, Affinity Health at Work.

12:00 Plenary: Discussion of Key Themes and Future Research (sign up for afternoon’s discussion groups)

13:00 Lunch

13:45 Small Group Discussions of Research Questions/Potential Projects

14:30 Plenary: Feedback of research ideas

15:15 Coffee

15:30 Next Steps and Choosing Advisory Board

16:00 Finish

Materials

Presentations and media from the sixth seminar.

Dr Carolyn Axtell

Introduction to the day

• Dr Carolyn Axtell’s presentation (PDF, 271KB)

Professor Dame Carol Black

Improving the health and wellbeing of working people

• Professor Dame Carol Black’s presentation (PDF, 1.2MB)

• “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow” report

• Report on employment and drugs, alcohol and obesity

The DEW convenors

Summary of findings

• Summary of seminar series (PDF, 461KB)

Emma Donaldson-Feilder and Rachel Lewis

Putting the findings in context

• Emma Donaldson-Feilder and Rachel Lewis' presentation (PDF, 94KB)

Group discussions and feedback

Developing a research agenda

Four groups discussed possible research projects which could follow on from the seminar series.

• Group 1: Study of Organisational/CEO perceptions of using Big Data for Employee Wellbeing – and sources of data available within organisations.

• Group 2: Examining Employee/Union views of using Big Data for Employee Wellbeing – hopes and fears.

• Group 3: Development of Values and Principles to guide the ethical use of Big Data for examining employee wellbeing.

• Group 4: Testing the use of (Big) data for examining employee wellbeing within organisations. Using data held within organisations and wellbeing programmes.

Each of these projects requires a multi-disciplinary approach and active partner organisations. The research ideas will be co-produced with partner organisations and academics developing and conducting the research together.

If you are interested in being involved in any of these projects or being part of our advisory board, please contact the PI – Carolyn Axtell (c.m.axtell@sheffield.ac.uk).