I took a break from my blog for nearly three months, November 2012 into January 2013, having been busy with a major funding application in psychosocial oncology through METIS, building works at home and then welcome escapes to Dubai and, more recently, Florida. Beyond these things, two other important things have happened which I can comment on.

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JANUARY: INSTITUTE OF WORK, HEALTH & ORGANIZATIONS
End of An Era

Decisions appear to have been made about the future of the Institute of Work, Health & Organizations at the University of Nottingham. It would seem that the days of the Institute are now numbered. Sad as this may be for those who have worked hard for the success of this project, such a decision is the University’s to make in the context of its overall development strategy. One can only hope for the sake of the staff involved that the Institute’s closure is well managed.

Coincidently, plans for a new research centre at Birkbeck University of London in occupational health psychology and management are now nearing completion. If approved, a platform will be created which will allow us to continue to work with many of the core interests developed by the Institute of Work, Health & Organizations over the last 13 years. We feel that it is important that the UK’s contribution to occupational health psychology is maintained.

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DECEMBER: NEW FUNDING
Macmillan in Scotland

METIS has secured the support of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland for a 18 month project to research and develop a new Patient Advice & Information System (Scot-PAIS) for those with cancer in Scotland. The award is in excess of £ 100,000 and will be managed through the Academic Urology Unit in the School of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Aberdeen. The research will be led by Dr Sara MacLennan with my involvement and that of Professor James N’Dow.
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