Elaine O’Brien is a Chartered Psychologist (BPS) and lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at University College Cork (UCC). 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 inter-related areas of Emotional Labour; Professional Identities; exploring experiences of Menopause at Work and the intersection between Fertility and Work. Recent engagement with industry includes an exploration of Attitudes towards and Experiences of Menopause at work in Public sector organisations and 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.

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. Current research interests lie in area of Occupational & Organisational Psychology. Specifically I am interested in the interrelated areas Emotional Labour; Professional Identities, Employee Resilience, Psychological Capital and most recently Experiences of and attitudes to Menopause at Work and the intersection between Fertility and Work

Elaine teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate . Her core teaching interests lie in the area of People in Organisations; Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour.