Chair: Arnold Bakker; Erasmus University Rotterdam
Date: May 21st, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 16:00 (Full-day session)
Price: 80 EUR
Capacity: 50 People
Are you a Ph.D. student or early-career organizational scholar eager to make your research meaningful and transformative? Join us for an engaging, interactive workshop on maximizing the social and scientific impact of your work in organizational psychology.
Workshop Focus and Aims
This workshop is designed to help emerging scholars develop impactful research practices that address both scientific and social goals. We will explore the powerful applications of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and how it can be used as a framework for designing research that is theoretically robust and practically relevant. Throughout the session, I will share insights from my experience applying JD-R theory across diverse organizations, demonstrating how this approach can lead to interventions that enhance employee well-being, job performance, and organizational sustainability.
What You Will Learn:
1. Leveraging JD-R Theory for High-Impact Research The JD-R theory provides a flexible, evidence-based framework for understanding how job demands (e.g., workload, emotional demands) and resources (e.g., autonomy, feedback) shape employee work engagement and well-being. We will discuss practical applications of this theory, including the design of online surveys with immediate feedback. These tools not only allow for rich data collection but also offer participants instant, personalized insights, making them more likely to engage with and benefit from the research.
2. Developing Targeted Interventions with Real-World Relevance A core focus of the workshop will be on translating research findings into actionable organizational interventions. I will present case studies on interventions informed by JD-R theory, such as job crafting workshops, team booster sessions, and playful work design trainings. These interventions empower employees to shape their roles in ways that optimize both personal and organizational outcomes. Additionally, you will learn how to measure the effectiveness of these interventions, making your research findings valuable for both academic publication and practical application.
3. Innovative Techniques: Self-Nudging for Physical Activity Self-nudging is a technique that encourages individuals to engage in desired behaviors by designing their environments in ways that make those behaviors easier to perform. I will demonstrate how self-nudging can be integrated into organizational psychology research to promote physical activity among employees. This approach combines behavioral science with practical applications, helping you create research that not only contributes to theory but also improves daily work-life experiences.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal for Ph.D. students and young scholars in organizational psychology, human resources, and related fields who are interested in conducting research that bridges theory and practice.
Workshop Format
The full-day workshop will include presentations, group discussions, and hands-on exercises designed to foster interactive learning. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their research ideas, receive feedback, and network with peers who share a commitment to impactful research. With a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 50 participants, the workshop promises an engaging, personalized experience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your research skills, learn innovative techniques, and connect with a community of like-minded scholars. Reserve your spot today and be part of the next generation of organizational psychologists making a real difference!
Arnold B. Bakker, Ph.D.
Professor of Work & Organizational Psychology
Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
Expertise and Research Focus
Arnold B. Bakker is a leading expert in occupational health psychology, specializing in Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theory, work engagement, burnout, self-nudging, job crafting, and other proactive work behaviors. His work aims to improve organizational health and well-being, with a focus on understanding how job demands and resources interact to influence employee motivation, engagement, and performance.
Academic Background
- Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Groningen, Netherlands (1995).
- Master’s in Social, Personality, & Organizational Psychology from the University of Groningen (1990).
- Languages: Fluent in Dutch, English, and German; conversational in Greek.
Professional Positions
- Professor of Work & Organizational Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam since 2006.
- Former Professor of Positive Organizational Behavior at Utrecht University.
- Visiting professor at universities in South Africa, Croatia, and Hong Kong, and previously held position in Norway.
Teaching and Course Development
Dr. Bakker teaches a variety of courses at the master’s level, focusing on positive organizational psychology, job crafting, work engagement, and leadership. His teaching style is highly rated by students, emphasizing interactive learning and practical applications. He has developed masterclasses on topics like “Inspiring Leadership,” “JD-R theory,” and “Playful Work Design.”
Honors and Recognitions
- Consistently included in Thomson Reuters’ list of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” since 2014.
- Ranked among the top 200 most-cited scientists globally in the field of Business & Management.
- Recipient of numerous awards for his research, including best paper awards from prestigious journals and conferences.
Research Grants
Dr. Bakker has been awarded over €9 million in research funding since 1994. Recent projects include studies on team job crafting, human-robot collaboration, and self-initiated nudging for employee well-being. His research has been funded by organizations such as the European Research Council, the Australian Research Council, and Dutch scientific foundations.
Selected Publications and Impact
With an H-index of 213 and over 300,000 citations (Google Scholar), Dr. Bakker is one of the most cited researchers in his field. He has authored numerous influential papers on JD-R theory, job crafting, and work engagement, which are widely referenced in both academic and practical organizational psychology contexts.
Professional Memberships and Editorial Roles
- Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology, and International Association of Applied Psychology.
- Editorial team member of Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior
- Editorial board member for journals including the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, Career Development International, and Human Resource Management Review.
- Co-editor of special journal issues focusing on topics such as job crafting, burnout, and positive organizational psychology.
International Activities and Leadership
Dr. Bakker has held leadership roles in major psychological associations, including serving as President of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP). He regularly organizes and participates in international workshops and symposia, contributing to the global discourse on work and organizational psychology.
Ongoing Research Interests
- JD-R theory and its application in different organizational settings.
- Playful work design and its impact on creativity and job performance.
- Work-family interface and strategies for balancing work and personal life.
- Development of positive organizational interventions to enhance well-being and reduce burnout in diverse work environments.
Thesis Supervision
Dr. Bakker has supervised numerous Ph.D. students, many of whom have graduated with distinction. His mentorship focuses on advancing research in job crafting, work engagement, emotional intelligence, and leadership, with a strong emphasis on practical applications in organizations.