The Future of Risk Identification in a Rapidly Changing Sociotechnical Work Environment

RESEARCH: Contemporary research is indicating that the increasing rapid and significant changes impacting sociotechnical work systems will require different approaches to effectively manage risks. Future research activities, research contexts and research personnel may be quite different from the past and current practices. How people interact with technology and their work environments will also change rapidly and it will be essential to have risk management approaches that can effectively adapt to address future risks. Research suggests that the traditional risk management approaches may not necessarily help researchers identify the contemporary and emergent risks. However, there seems to be a lack of research done to develop approaches that help manage future risks in research and development environments. Therefore, to help ensure research worker safety performance into the future, there is a need to explore the various socio-technical elements that impact risk identification, assessment, and management.

PRESENTATION: This 45 minute presentation will discuss the PhD research investigating the current methods used for risk identification by researcher staff in an industrial and university context and will explore the possible future tools and strategies that could help front-line workers more effectively identify, assess and manage foreseeable and emergent risks without stifling innovativeness.

SPEAKER: Jo Kirby is a Chartered Chemical Engineer with 16 years’ experience working as both a process design engineer and commissioning engineer on many major projects in Australia and South East Asia. Jo has held a number of different voluntary positions on Engineers Australia’s professional committees, including the Joint Chemical Engineering Committee (JCEC) Queensland, Queensland Division Committee, Chair of Women in Engineering National Committee (WIENC) and member of the EA Chemical College Board. Jo is currently completing an industry partnered PhD with Boeing Research and Technology Australia at the University of Queensland School of Chemical Engineering. During this time, Jo is a casual lecturer and tutor with the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology and the School of Chemical Engineering. Jo still engages with industry through her private consultant engineering business.

TRANSPORTATION: Short distance from the Canada Line (Olympic Village Station). Paid public or street parking.

FOOD: Snacks and refreshments provided.

*Tickets will not be sold at the venue.