The mission of the Optentia Research Unit is to develop and organise knowledge for the optimal expression of individual, social and institutional potential, with a specific interest in the African context. The research unit utilises the inputs from multiple disciplines: Economics, Educational Sciences, Employment Relations, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Philosophy, Psychology (Work and Organisational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling Psychology, and Clinical Psychology), Risk Management, Social Anthropology, Social Work, and Sociology. We study the optimisation of the potential of people and institutions by focusing on pathways from precarity to capability and optimal functioning. Optentia's research is organised into six programmes.
Thirty-eight of the country’s leading scholars and scientists were inaugurated as Members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) at the annual Awards Ceremony on 9 November 2023. As the official Academy of South A...Read article
Poverty-related stress happens when struggles to meet basic needs cause ongoing mental and emotional strain. Click Read article
Dr Christine Wekerle from McMaster University, an extraordinary professor, discuss men's mental health, masculinity, and family well-being. She focuses on domestic abuse, sexual violence and suicidal ideation, among other topi...Read article
Burnout is reaching epidemic levels. Chronic stress from juggling work, family, health, and other pressures leaves many people feeling drained, demotivated, and devoid of purpose. When you’re burned out, life feels like an e...Read article
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NovemberNotice of submission: March 2024
For master's and PhD students
6
DecemberIPSHRM SciCom Meeting
Agenda closing: 29 November 2023
12
DecemberResearch Indaba
Cape Town
14
April