Sharon K. Parker

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About

Sharon K. Parker is a leading organizational psychologist whose research illuminates the future of work, focusing on how technological change—particularly automation and artificial intelligence—reshapes job design, employee well-being, and meaningfulness. Her major contributions include pioneering the concept of “work design” as a proactive strategy for human flourishing in increasingly digitized environments. In her highly cited work “Can You Outsmart the Robot? An Unexpected Path to Work Meaningfulness” (2023, 14 citations), she reveals through 117 interviews how workers can reclaim purpose even when facing robotic replacement. Her forward-looking piece “Quality work in the future: New directions via a co-evolving sociotechnical systems perspective” (2025, 14 citations) argues for a dynamic, co-evolutionary approach where human skill development and technology advance together. Parker’s impact is profound: her work has shaped how organizations redesign roles to enhance autonomy, skill use, and relational meaning, directly influencing policy on decent work. A recipient of multiple career awards, she is a Distinguished Professor at Curtin University and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Her research offers essential guidance for students and practitioners navigating the intersection of technology, work quality, and human dignity.