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Center for Future Work Places and Practices

The newly formed Virginia Tech Center for Future Work Places and Practices will use transdisciplinary research related to the design, development, and deployment of future work spaces, processes, and domains, with an emphasis on human-centered approaches, to focus on the individual and the broader workplace.

In research areas and education opportunities, the center will emphasize transdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of domains such as technology, design, policy, and economics. For example, the center will provide frameworks for a new social contract for work that enables people to obtain a living income, engage in meaningful and safe work, have a healthy work-life balance, and steward environmental resources.

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Workforce Development

Workforce development encompasses activities and programs designed to create a skilled labor force that meets current and future market demands. Our priorities include:

Addressing the skills gap between workers and employers.
Preparing the workforce for rapid technological advancements like AI and automation.
Strengthening STEM education.
Promoting lifelong learning.
Ensuring an inclusive workforce development program.

These efforts aim to equip workers with the necessary skills for emerging job markets, ensuring adaptability and resilience in the face of technological and economic changes.

Health in Workplace

Health and well-being in the workplace encompass physical and mental aspects essential for employee productivity and satisfaction. Our priorities include:

Developing innovative solutions for mental health support.
Ergonomic design.
Integrated wellness programs.
Examining the impacts of flexible work arrangements and work-life balance policies.

These efforts aim to create healthier, more supportive work environments that enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.

Responsible Technologies at Work

Responsible technologies refer to the ethical and sustainable design, development, deployment, and use of technology to minimize adverse impacts on society, the environment, and individuals. Our priorities include:

Developing ethical AI.
Protecting privacy.
Ensuring digital rights and inclusion.
Enhancing cybersecurity and trust.
Promoting environmental sustainability.
Adopting human-centered design principles.

These efforts aim to advance technology to benefit society while minimizing negative impacts on individuals, communities, and the environment.

Sustainable Work

Making work sustainable involves creating practices and policies that promote long-term health, productivity, and employee well-being while considering environmental and economic sustainability. Our priorities include:

Adopting green technologies and practices.
Encouraging remote work and flexible scheduling.
Implementing sustainable commuting options while fostering employee well-being and supporting continuous learning.

These efforts aim to create an environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable work environment.