Research

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Dancing at a Patient Advocate Conference, 2006

Positive Relationships at Work:
​Emotions & the Body

What are positive relationships at work, how are they built, what are their effects?    
      My research on high quality connections articulates what positive work relationships are and how they make a difference at work. I am especially interested in the role of emotions and the human body as integral components of work relationships. My research has demonstrated how these dimensions affect a variety of outcomes, including resilience and physical health. 

Job crafting on an Amtrak train, 2014.

Relational Work

How do employees engage in relationships to accomplish their work?     
      Today individuals navigate organizations not only for their paid employment but also for critical services, such as health care and education. Thus, it is important to understand how people inside and outside organizations can successfully navigate organizations to obtain them.  I have investigated how patient advocates handle patient and family problems in and on behalf of hospitals and how consultants informally negotiate for time off from work in time-hungry occupations. ​I have studied these topics using a number of research methods, which include multi-year qualitative data collection efforts, field experiments, and surveys. 

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Follow my research at: 
Google Scholar
Researchgate