The  focus of my research is in work design, or the manner in which work is organized, and its impact on employees and organizations. In particular, I am interested in the individual differences that influence reactions to work design decisions. Further, I am interested in the relationship between work design (e.g., task variety) and worker outcomes and what factors may change these relationships. My research examines outcomes such as performance, persistence, positive emotions, life satisfaction, and mental and physical well-being. I use psychological theory to study the conditions that facilitate such outcomes, particularly for underserved populations and high-stress work environments (e.g., nurses, social services).

I consider a broad range of determinants of well-being in my research. For example, I examine individual determinants such as personality, interest, and motivation. I also focus on organizations, including academic and work settings. I examine the characteristics of organizations that impact people’s well-being. For example, how do workplace policies influence the well-being of workers? What can organizations do to support healthy, happy, and successful workers and students? Although I use multiple methodologies in my research, including lab and field experiments, my research tends to focus on applied projects and the evaluation of interventions.

My recent research has focused on the role of active learning opportunities for the academic persistence of undergraduate students in science and math, including individual differences in self-efficacy and self-concept. Other recent research has examined the influence of personality, interests, motivation, and cognitive abilities on lifelong learning, the determinants of healthy aging, and prosocial behaviors in the workplace.