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4. Elaine O'Brien

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Biography

Elaine O’Brien is a Chartered Psychologist (BPS) and lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at University College Cork (UCC).  She is Co-Academic Director of the MSc in HRM and Higher Diploma in HRM. Elaine holds a BSc (Hons) Occupational Psychology (University of Ulster), MSc in Organisational Psychology (UMIST) and PhD (UCC).   Prior to joining UCC Elaine gained considerable industrial experience in both public and private sector organisations working as a HR professional and Senior OD Consultant. Her current research interests lie in the area of Emotional Labour, Employee Resilience and Employee Engagement. Recent engagement with industry includes an examination of diversity, inclusion and engagement practices in a leading multi-national company.  Elaine's work is published in high ranking Journals including Journal of Management Studies, Human Relations, Journal of Business Ethics and International Journal of Human Resource Management.‍

Research Interests

Current research interests lie in area of Occupational & Organisational Psychology.  Specifically I am interested in the interrelated areas of Emotion at work; Emotional Labour; Employee well-being and Engagement and Psychological Capital.  With employment becoming increasingly precarious and demanding, I am interested in exploring employee experiences of work and how organisation and HRM practices can be arranged to promote work that diverse individuals experience as meaningful, expressive and dignified.  ‍

Publications

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Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2017)	'From tell-tale signs to irreconcilable struggles: The value of emotion in exploring the ethical dilemmas of human resource professionals' Linehan, C. and O'Brien, E. (2017) 'From tell-tale signs to irreconcilable struggles: The value of emotion in exploring the ethical dilemmas of human resource professionals'. Journal of Business Ethics, 141 (4):763-777 [DOI] [Details]
	(2018)	'The Last Taboo?: surfacing and supporting Emotional Labour in HR work' O'Brien, E. & Linehan, C. (2018) 'The Last Taboo?: surfacing and supporting Emotional Labour in HR work'. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 29 (4):683-709 [DOI] [Details]
	(2014)	'A balancing act: Emotional challenges in the HR role' O'Brien, E. and Linehan, C. (2014) 'A balancing act: Emotional challenges in the HR role'. Journal of Management Studies, 51 (8):1257-1285 [Details]

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Professional Activities

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Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	British Psychological Society	Chartered Member	/
	University Forum for Human Resource Development	Member	/
	Chartered Insitute of Personnel and Development	Associate Member	/

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Conference Contributions

	Year	Publication
	(2016)	Institute of Work Psychology Conference, Linehan, C. and O'Brien, E. (2016) Faking it to make it? Challenging the need to bring the authentic self to work via a study of emotional dissonance. [Oral Presentation], Institute of Work Psychology Conference, Sheffield , 21-JUN-16 - 23-JUN-16. [Details]
	(2008)	Irish Academy of Management, Gubbins, C., Linehan, C. & O'Brien, E.; (2008) The emotional labour of HR managers to build social capital. [Oral Presentation], Irish Academy of Management, Dublin , 01-SEP-08 - 03-SEP-08. [Details]
	(2008)	Irish Academy of Management, Linehan, C. & O'Brien, E. (2008) The Insincerity of Trying to be Sincere: Learning the Emotion Display Rules to be a HR Manager. [N/A], Irish Academy of Management, Limerick . [Details]
	(2008)	Irish Academy of Management, O'Brien, E. (2008) Emotional Labour in the Human Resource Profession – Management Prescribed or Employee Driven?. [N/A], Irish Academy of Management, Limerick . [Details]

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Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	SX3, Viridian Group PLC	Senior Management Consultant	/
	Parity Solutions Plc	HR Consultant	/
	Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust	HR Manager	/
	Mentor Economic Development Consultants	Consultant	/

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Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	2011	University College Cork	PHD	Commerce
	1992	UMIST	MSc	Organisational Psychology
	1987	Univerisity of Ulster	BSC (HONS)	Occupational Psychology

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Consultancy

	Client	Description
	Simon Community	Training Needs Analysis of Northern Ireland's Homeless Young People
	NI Business Development Agency	Review of Community Business Programme
	Training & Employment Agency and FAS	Feasibility Study - International Youth Development Centre
	NI Equal Opportunities Commission	Review of Equality of Access to Training Provision in Northern Ireland

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Journal Activities

	Journal	Role	To / From
	International Journal Of Human Resource Management	Referee	-

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Teaching Activities

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Modules Taught

	Term (ID))	Title	Link	Subject
	2019	Contemporary Issues in HRM	MG6317	Contemporary Issues in HRM