Rate My Professor Jodi Oakman

Professor Jodi Oakman serves as Professor and Head of the Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University. She earned her PhD from La Trobe University, a Master's degree in Ergonomics from the University of New South Wales, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from La Trobe University. Her career encompasses both industry experience and academic roles, where she has progressed from Associate Professor to her current position. Oakman also holds the role of Professor and Discipline Cluster Lead for Health and Society in La Trobe's Living with Disability Research Centre. Her research centers on occupational health, the ageing workforce, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, work-family conflict, and the effects of remote and hybrid working arrangements on employee well-being.

Oakman has produced over 145 peer-reviewed publications, accumulating more than 4,000 citations. Notable works include 'A review of workers' compensation and the role it plays in caring for active duty personnel and veterans with future loss claims associated with musculoskeletal disorders' (2018), 'Does work-family conflict play a role in the relationship between work-related hazards and musculoskeletal pain?' (2021), 'Changes needed to reduce risk of musculoskeletal disorders: Findings from a systematic review' (2024, with Wendy A. Macdonald), and 'Strategies to manage working from home during the pandemic' (2022, with Natasha Kinsman). She led the development of the APHIRM toolkit, a participative hazard identification and risk management resource for addressing musculoskeletal disorder risks in workplaces, associated with La Trobe's WHO Collaborating Centre. Oakman has obtained substantial grants, such as an Australian Research Council Linkage grant of over $950,000 to enhance workplace safety for nurses. Her contributions influence workplace safety practices, policy development, and sustainable employment strategies, particularly for older workers and during global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.