“It is paramount that researchers and practitioners work together”

"It is paramount that researchers and practitioners work together"

Course leader presentation: Eva Gemzøe Mikkelsen

Bullying and Harassment at Work, 5th – 7th of November 2019, Copenhagen Island, Copenhagen, Denmark

Presentation of Eva Gemzøe Mikkelsen, Associate professor in work- and organizational psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

I work as Associate Professor in Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, Denmark. Prior to that I held a similar position at Aalborg University, Denmark. After having completed my PhD thesis “Workplace bullying: Its prevalence, etiology and health correlates” in 2001, I decided to leave the university to acquire some practical experience as a work and organizational psychologist. My plan was to return to the university within 5 years max. However, I ended up working full time for 16 years as an external consultant specializing in the prevention, assessment and management of conflicts and workplace bullying. At the same time, I continued doing research in workplace bullying being involved in several research projects. My current research focus is on intervention research, especially the development and evaluation of preventive organizational interventions. I have co-developed a very successful bystander intervention called “Intervene”, which workplaces may use in their efforts to prevent bullying at work. At the moment, I am developing new interventions that may supplement Intervene and hope to be involved in international research projects focusing on this and other interventions. Besides doing research and consultancy work, I am also board member of the International Association of Workplace Bullying and Harassment (IAWBH).

Why do you think that bullying and harassment at work is an important and current issue to discuss in 2019?

I have recently co-authored a review of the individual health consequences of workplace bullying – an issue that led me to the study of workplace bullying back in the 1990’s. With workplace bullying leading to depression, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD as well as physical illnesses such as diabetes 2 and cardiovascular diseases, it is paramount that researchers and practitioners work together to help workplaces prevent this serious health problem which also has negative organizational consequences. Besides, our work may also lead to necessary improvements in national and international legislations, which again motivate companies to address workplace bullying as well as sexual harassment at work.

What do you want to say to the participants of the course?

I am really looking forward to leading this course and to hear about your practical experiences or research. I am also thrilled to have such competent, and likeable, presenters, many of whom are internationally acknowledged experts in their field. I am sure that we will all benefit from the course and I will do my best to make everybody fell that coming to Copenhagen for the 2020 NIVA course on bullying and harassment at work was worthwhile!

More information: Course web page
Registration: Course registration
Last registration date: September 13th 2019

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Course Leader Presentation