FUNDED PROJECTS
W@W BIPDOC
Wellbeing @ Work: BIP meets doctoral course. In the BIP/PhD course, we immerse participants (bachelor, master and doctoral students from three organising universities) in the multi- and interdisciplinary literature on wellbeing at work through both online and offline seminars.
Category: Incubator Grant
University:
Comenius University Bratislava, Ghent University, Uppsala University
Period:
2025-2027
In the BIP/PhD course, we immerse participants (bachelor, master and doctoral students from three organising universities) in the multi- and interdisciplinary literature on wellbeing at work through both online and offline seminars. For that purpose, wellbeing at work is approached from various disciplines, including health promotion and prevention, occupational medicine, psychology, Human Resources Management (HRM), labour and welfare economics, and business administration. We will rely on lecturers from the three organising universities but also invite top speakers on the topic of wellbeing at work. The hybrid learning environment fosters multidisciplinary, critical thinking and cross-border collaboration. To highlight the need for interdisciplinary research on wellbeing at work from a societal point of view, given HRM professionals’ growing demand for evidence-based practices, we will invite HRM professionals, managers, and organisational leaders to present concrete challenges in workplace well-being. We will ensure that students not only learn about wellbeing at work but also actively engage with evidence-based information and apply it to real-world contexts in the group assignment.
Personal highlight:
Students will collaborate on a concrete workplace well-being challenge, approaching it from multiple perspectives—such as psychology, HRM and health. They will learn from each other and from leading lecturers and guest speakers.
Participants and Stakeholders
- Coordinator: Prof. dr. Elsy Verhofstadt, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University
- Other Partner Institutions: Uppsala University, Comenius University Bratislava
- Team Composition (Include key personnel, their roles)
Ghent University: Brecht Neyt, Els Clays, Mieke Audenaert, Adelien Decramer
Uppsala University: Erik Olsson, Niclas Almén
Comenius University Bratislava: Lucia Mokrá, Elena Lisá, Katarína Greškovičová
Objectives
Specifically for Bachelor/Master students, the Wellbeing @ Work BIP offers an opportunity to engage deeply with the interdisciplinary field of workplace wellbeing. First, the interaction with top-tier experts will expand their academic and professional horizons. Second, through collaboration with peers from other disciplines and countries, students sharpen their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. The integration of real-life challenges presented by HR professionals ensures that learning is grounded in practical relevance and strengthens the academic-practitioner connections. As the program welcomes broader participation from ENLIGHT partners, it encourages exchange of experiences and expertise.
Specifically for PhD students, on top of the benefits mentioned for Bachelor and Master students, the course offers two additional benefits. First, in their role as group facilitators, they mentor Bachelor/Master students, enhancing their coaching and leadership skills. Second, in the collaboration with (an)other PhD student(s), they deepen their academic expertise by developing a research proposal based on a real-world workplace issue. The course strengthens their ability to bridge theory and practice, present research ideas, and receive feedback. Finally, the setting fosters academic growth and networking in an international context.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Elsy Verhofstadt,
Unique features
The program delivers rich, multidisciplinary insights into workplace well-being research, blending intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants engage with top-level lecturers and HR professionals to tackle real-world challenges.