GEFCO UK and the University of Warwick’s Global Research Priority (GRP) on Productivity and the Futures of Work invite all registered students and alumni to participate in an exciting competition capturing your predictions for the future of work in a post-COVID era.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on people's personal and professional lives. The adoption of new behaviours has transformed human relationships at multiple levels, and attitudes towards working from home have changed substantially since the beginning of the outbreak. Some of these changes have had positive consequences, both from a social and business perspective. Undoubtedly, the costs of running a business have declined, and the reduction in commuting and preparation costs have likely fallen for employees as well. At the same time, several elements have caused a negative impact. After a year of restrictions, many feel the strain of adopting enforced working practices that they never planned for or expected. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, it was easier to distinguish work-related stress from personal stress. Now that many employees are working from home, the boundaries have become more blurred. A poor work-life balance can negatively affect an individual's physical and psychological health as well as their efficiency and effectiveness. If not dealt with, stress can lead to ill health, burnout and, in some cases, psychological and physiological issues.

Where do creative ideas come from? Are we having too many meetings and not enough conversations? Even as some workplaces reopen, we are still a long way ‘business as usual’. Around 60% of us would prefer to continue working from home. Many employers are downsizing or even closing their offices. And rather than meeting face to face, platforms like Zoom, Teams or Slack have become the new normal. Dr Chris Bilton explores the limits of digital culture and how we can make space for chance encounters and keep creativity alive.