Studying extreme teams: Developments in theoretical, methodological and analytical approaches
| Dates: | 5 December 2018 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | methods@manchester |
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methods@manchester are pleased to welcome Nathan Smith for our latest Lunchtime Seminar:
Studying extreme teams: Developments in theoretical, methodological and analytical approaches
Organizational contexts in which isolated teams operate in extreme, demanding, and high-risk environments pose challenges for researchers. Hazardous work environments are not uncommon, and include those experienced by the military, Search and Rescue operators, anti-poaching patrols, oil rig workers, deep sea saturation divers, scientific fieldwork, and humanitarian response teams. Such teams are exposed to a combination of environmental, psychological, and interpersonal stressors that are rarely present in mainstream work settings, including physical danger, inhospitable climates, monotony, lack of privacy, and limited social contact (Barrett & Martin, 2014). In the seminar I will talk about conducting research with these types of extreme teams. The presentation will focus on three areas: (1) conducting rigorous theory-based research within the constraints of an extreme environment; (2) using structured diary methods to secure intensive repeated sampling of people in these contexts; and (3) analytical approaches that are suitable for interpreting this hierarchical and longitudinal data. I’ll briefly discuss of how the findings from this research might be used to inform policy and practice and highlight future directions.
Bio
I am a researcher interested in the psychology of performance and health in challenging and demanding settings. My work includes both theoretical and applied research on topics related to: individual differences including personality, values and motivation; stress, coping, emotion and mental health; and transition, adjustment and reintegration follow exposure to extreme settings. Over the past few years I have worked with many different extreme environment populations including expeditioners in desert, polar and mountain environments, Antarctic scientists, space simulation participants, elite military personnel and extreme medics. My work at Manchester focuses on the psychology of performance and health in dynamic and high-risk defence and security settings.
Travel and Contact Information
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2.07
Humanities Bridgeford Street
Manchester
