Training emotional competency in the workplace: Does 'one size' really 'fit all'?

About the Project

As a core focus for organisational Equality Diversity & Inclusion policies, the current drive to train emotional skills in the workplace shows no signs of abating. For instance, emotional intelligence has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity, being advocated as a way for organisations to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through employee training (see e.g., United Nations, n.d.).

In addition, various social and emotional interventions that require emotional competencies (and elicit emotional responses), such as ‘perspective taking’ or sensitivity training, are encouraged as good organisational practice (Gifford et al., 2019). So far, research has focussed on evaluating the efficacy of such training at a universal level and has neglected the experiences of groups of individuals who may have different needs that are not best served by such ‘off the peg’ programmes. Indeed, in other settings, such as schools, and clinics, participation in psychosocial interventions has been associated with iatrogenic effects (Foulkes & Stringaris, 2023; Moos, 2012).

Through a multi-phase programme of research, this PhD will examine the scope of these practices within organisations across the UK, and the experiences of employees who are charged with overseeing, and undertaking, such trainings within the workplace.

Application Process

To begin the application process please go to https://www.worc.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/applying-for-a-phd/.

The Interview

All successful applicants will be offered an interview with the proposed Supervisory Team. You will be contacted by a member of the Doctoral School Team to find a suitable date. Interviews can be conducted in person or over Microsoft Teams.

Funding your PhD

For information about Doctoral Loans please visit: https://www.worc.ac.uk/study/fees-and-finance/doctoral-loans.aspx

During your PhD you can access the Research Conference Support Scheme to support the costs of presenting your research at an external conference.