Human Flourishing in Institutions

This programme aims to research the functioning of individuals, relations, and institutions (on a continuum varying from flourishing to languishing) and its antecedents, outcomes, and utility. Working from the capability approach and positive organisational scholarship, and considering the precariousness inherent in modern society, the research programme investigates the optimal functioning of individuals, relationships, and institutions. Flourishing refers to optimal functioning as indicated by positive emotions, a positive affect balance, satisfaction with life (and life domains), engagement, self-determination (and satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence. and relatedness), meaning and purpose, learning agility, positive relations, and social well-being. Languishing indicates the opposite of these types of functioning. The programme aims to develop and evaluate interventions to optimise capability, flourishing, and utility.

Programme Leader

Dr Neil Barnard
Research Interests:
Barnard.Neil@nwu.ac.za 

Research professor

Prof Ian Rothmann
Research Interests: Sustainable employability
www.ianrothmann.me

Researchers

Dr Jacqueline Bosman
Research Interests:
Jacqueline.bosman@nwu.ac.za

Prof Elrie Botha
Research Interests:
elrie.botha@nwu.ac.za

Dr Thapelo Chachaa
Research Interests:
thapelo.chaacha@nwu.ac.za

Dr Lynelle Coxen 
Research Interests:
Lynelle.Coxen@nwu.ac.za

Dr Sibusiso Mnxuma
Research interest:
Sibusiso.Mnxuma@nwu.ac.za

Dr Elette van den Berg
Research Interest:
Elette.Horn@nwu.ac.za

Dr Queen Usadolo
Research interest:
Queen.Usadolo@nwu.ac.za

Postdoc researcher

Amanda Erasmus (postdoc researcher)
Research Interests:
Amanda.Erasmus@nwu.ac.za

Extraordinary appointments

Prof Marius Stander
Research Interests: People development
Marius.stander@nwu.ac.za

Prof Hans De Witte
Research interest: Job insecurity; Burnout
hans.dewitte@kuleuven.be

Prof Roland Blonk
Research interest: Inclusive employment
r.w.b.blonk@tilburguniversity.edu

Prof Marieta du Plessis
Research interest:
mduplessis@uwc.ac.za

Prof Danie du Toit
Research interest:
Danie.DuToit@nwu.ac.za

Prof Todd Little
Research Interest: Latent variable modelling
yhat@statscamp.org

Prof Kirsti Lonka
Research Interest:
Kirsti.lonka@helsink.fi

Prof Alex Morin
Research Interest: Latent variable modelling
Alex.Morin@nwu.ac.za

Prof Lara Roll
Research Interest: Job insecurity
lara.roll@nwu.ac.za

Prof Ederick Stander
Research Interest: Talent management
Ederick.Stander@nwu.ac.za

Prof Jasper van Assche
Research Interest: Cross-cultural psychology
jasper.van.assche@ulb.be

Prof Anja Van Den Broeck
Research Interest: Self-determination theory
vandenbroeck.anja@gmail.com

Prof Jac van der Klink
Research Interest: Capability approach
J.J.L.vdrKlink@uvt.nl

Prof Leoni van der Vaart
Research Interest: Motivation; Self-determination theory
leoni.van.der.vaart@ntnu.no

Prof Llewellyn van Zyl
Research Interest: Artificial intelligence; Positive Psychology
Llewellyn.VanZyl@nwu.ac.za

Dr Annalisa Murangi
Research Interest: Work capabilities
amurangi@unam.na

 

Students

Saskia Fern (PhD student)

Lena-Mari Josling (PhD student)

Zama Kose (PhD student)

Roslyn Lodewyk-Raliphada (PhD student)
Study focus: Capabilities of emerging human resource staff

Thembelihile Lobi (PhD student)

Kgomotso Malinga (PhD student)

Geraldine Meyers Mashamba (PhD student)

Mandla Ndlangamandla (PhD student)

Karien Stadler (PhD student)

Charmaine Kasuto
Study focus: Sustainable employability: Just transitions

Geraldine van Heerden
Study focus: Sustainable employability of teachers