Redesigning the Future of Work Through Behavioural Science

Theme lead: Dr Laura Giurge

Behavioural Lab Affiliates: Dr Francesca ManziAnisha Singh

Our research explores hidden drivers of inequality in the workplace, and how we can design better systems to reduce it. We study how time is structured and experienced at work, how day-to-day practices shape who gets a chance to advance, and how people access resources that support their wellbeing and productivity. Using qualitative methods, lab and field experiments in collaboration with organisations, we test small changes that can make a big difference. The goal is to provide evidence-based tools that help organisations build fairer, more inclusive workplaces and, in turn, unlock the full potential of their employees.

Selected Publications:

2025

Banks, G. C.,  […] Giurge, L.M. […] (2025). Women’s and Men’s Authorship Experiences: A Prospective Meta-Analysis. Journal of Management51(4), 1273-1287. (Original work published 2025)

Schimmelpfennig, R., Elbæk, C., Mitkidis, P., Singh, A., & Roberson, Q. (2025). The “WEIRDEST” Organizations in the World? Assessing the Lack of Sample Diversity in Organizational Research. Journal of Management51(6), 2460-2487. (Original work published 2025)

Pierce, J. R., Giurge, L. M., & Aeon, B. (2024). Time Theft: Exposing a Subtle Yet Serious Driver of Socioeconomic Inequality. Business & Society64(1), 3-8. (Original work published 2025)

Woolley, K., Giurge, L. M., & Fishbach, A. (2025). Adherence to personal resolutions across time, culture, and goal domains. Psychological Science, 36(8), 607-62.

2024

Giurge, L. M., Howe, L. C., Belovai, Z., Lindemann, G., & O’Connor, S. (2024, April 22). Research: More people use mental health benefits when they hear that colleagues use them too. Harvard Business Review

2022

Giurge, L. M., & Woolley, K. (2022). Working during non-standard work time undermines intrinsic motivation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes170, 104134.

2021

Giurge, L. M., & Bohns, V. K. (2021). You don’t need to answer right away! receivers overestimate how quickly senders expect responses to non-urgent work emails. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes167, 114–128

Lucas, B.J., Berry, Z., Giurge, L.M., & Chugh, D. A longer shortlist increases the consideration of female candidates in male-dominant domains. Nature Human Behaviour, 5, 736–742 (2021).

2020

Giurge, L.M., Whillans, A.V. & West, C. Why time poverty matters for individuals, organisations and nations. Nature Human Behaviour, 4, 993–1003 (2020).