THE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
The Institute of Management Psychology operates at the intersection of academic research and management consulting.
We are a collaborative research institute committed to the pursuit of knowledge to create better workplaces for human beings. Connecting academics, communities, government, and businesses to create real and sustainable impacts on workforce engagement, retention and organisational effectiveness.
We are the bridge between research and practice, making scientific insights and high-quality evidence accessible for managers and organisations that need it.
For organisation THAT partner with us
You get access to global researchers to help solve your people-related challenges. Get expert guidance and clear research-backed solutions to improve leadership, engagement, and retention with measurable results.
You work directly with a small, expert-led team supported by a global network of academic collaborators. This structure allows you to access the latest research and academic experts directly, without the delays and complexity associated with large institutions.
Based in Australia, we support diverse organisational partners including community and volunteer organisations, emergency service agencies, and corporate sectors.
You are working with agile and highly experienced leadership and behavioural scientists who focus on your specific challenges and deliver outcomes you can apply immediately.
For researchers and academics who collaborate
You gain access to large-scale organisational datasets and real-world environments to test and validate theories and conceptual frameworks.
You work directly with organisations who are looking to solve a significant problem and will implement your recommendations. These partnerships facilitate the translation of scholarly research while generating the demonstrable industry impact required for contemporary academic advancement and grant funding.
Most importantly, your work will make a real difference to the lives and experiences of human beings at work.
Meet the team
Dr Vivien Forner
Dr Vivien Forner is an experienced organisational psychologist, leadership consultant, and scientist working at the intersection of academia and real-world practice. As the Director of Research at the Institute of Management Psychology and an academic at the University of Wollongong and the University of Sydney, she brings 15 years of experience leading collaborative, industry-partnered research and delivering high-impact programs that enhance leadership, motivation, well-being, and performance.
As one of Australia’s leading experts in volunteering, Vivien is passionate about helping the non-profit sector engage and retain volunteers. These partnerships have had a measurable impact on boosting leadership capability, well-being, and retention across Australia’s largest emergency services and volunteer organisations, with her programs now embedded in national leadership training. She advises government bodies on volunteering issues, and her research has informed Volunteering Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering. Vivien is a passionate and engaging presenter who brings research to life in practical, powerful ways tailored to the unique challenges facing organisations and their leaders.
Kiri Adams
Gillian Oats
Best leadership development program
The Institute of Management Psychology and Surf Life Saving NSW were recognised for their impactful “Evidence-Based Leadership Development Program to Retain and Engage Volunteers.”
Meet our ACADEMIC COLLABORATORS
Access globally recognised academic experts to help solve your people-related challenges. Global scholars who have collaborated on Institute of Management Psychology projects include….
Dr Toby P. Newstead
Globally recognised leadership scholar, University of Tasmania. Her research focuses on leadership development and leadership in the volunteer sector.
Professor Dominique Parrish
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, at Torrens University. Educationalist with over 35 years of experience designing and implementing impactful learning initiatives and leadership programs.
Dr Djurre Holtrop
Assistant Professor and organisational psychologist at Tilburg University (Netherlands). Specialises in employee recruitment, selection, and the engagement of volunteer workers.
Magdalena Kotek
Doctoral Researcher, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and Honorary Research Associate of The Institute of Management Psychology.
Associate Professor MichaEl Jones
Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Wollongong, specialising in management, organisational behaviour, retention and qualitative research methodology.
Distinguished John Curtin Professor Marylene Gagne
John Curtin Distinguished Professor and Director of the Future of Work Institute at Curtin University. Her globally recognised research utilises Self-Determination Theory to understand how worplace structures, cultures, and compensation practices influence employee motivation, performance, and well-being
Professor Kevin Lowe
Professor in Leadership at the University of Sydney and Chair of the Board of the International Leadership Association. His research focus is on transformational leadership and followership.
Associate Professor Gavin Slemp
Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, working in the Centre for Wellbeing Science. Expertise in job crafting, support for motivation, and employee health interventions.
Dr Darja Kragt
Lecturer in work psychology at the University of Western Australia. She is a leadership and organisational development consultant and academic researcher specialising in leadership, organisational design and evidence-based evaluation.
Get in touch
Let’s discuss your people challenges and explore how evidence-based approaches can support your organisation.