In her research, PhD candidate Franzisca Fastje focuses on how hybrid work shapes work outcomes such as job satisfaction and performance. Last year, she spent time at the Future of Work Institute in Perth, Australia. There she got the opportunity to work with one of her academic role models, an esteemed scholar in the field of work design research. FEB research talked to Fastje about her stay in Australia and the importance of adopting an international perspective and connecting with other academics to spur innovative thinking.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

“I am a PhD candidate at FEB’s Human Resources and Organizational Behavior department. A lucky coincidence of circumstances led me to be here now. I started out doing a dual bachelor’s program in Bremen, Germany, and Wilmington, United States. Initially, I thought I would work in HR after earning my Bachelor’s degree. I enjoyed working in that field during the three-year vocational training I completed before my Bachelor’s and several internships throughout my Bachelor’s. However, once I decided to minor in Psychology, I discovered how much I loved combining business studies with insights from Psychology. This brought me to focus on Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Writing my bachelor’s thesis, I also discovered my love for research and diving deeper into a topic. My thesis supervisors were thrilled and encouraged me to pursue a PhD. Before diving in, though, I completed a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology in Maastricht. Then the big question came: Where should I do the PhD? I received an offer from a university in Miami and one from Groningen. Both options sounded exciting, but it was not an easy decision. Ultimately, I decided to come to Groningen for several reasons: the team seemed very committed and excited, I saw the benefits of having two supervisors rather than one, and I wanted to be close to my family and friends in Germany.”

What is the focus of your PhD research?

“My PhD research explores how hybrid work – meaning the combination of working from home and working from the office – shapes important work outcomes such as job satisfaction, feelings of isolation, and performance. In this exploration, I take a more holistic view that considers individual and collective hybrid work behaviors, embodying the belief that no person is an island. For example, my most recent study takes the degree to which individual and fellow team members’ hybrid work patterns align as the key predictor of work outcomes. As many organizations are still struggling to implement successful hybrid work arrangements, I actively collaborate with organizations in the Netherlands, sharing findings (for example from surveys) and helping to translate academic insights into actionable strategies. Ultimately, my research seeks to determine whether hybrid work represents the “best of both worlds,” balancing flexibility with connectivity.”

Can you tell us more about your research visit to Australia?

“At the beginning of 2024, I did a research stay at the Future of Work Institute in Perth, which is affiliated with Curtin University. There, I had the opportunity to work closely with Professor of Organizational Behavior Sharon Parker, an esteemed scholar in the field of work design research. I have been following her work since my Master’s and attended one of her fascinating webinars at the beginning of my PhD. When my supervisors here in Groningen, Gerben van der Vegt and Joost van de Brake, asked me to write down names of people I would be interested in working with during a research stay, she was at the top of my list. Luckily, Gerben knew her well and asked if I could work with her. Once I emailed her, she immediately agreed to host me – I was beyond excited, given her remarkable expertise and warm, down-to-earth demeanor.”

What did you do in terms of research at the Future of Work Institute in Australia?

“I began collaborating with Sharon on an academic paper, starting with data collection and brainstorming research ideas. She offered valuable insights on the survey design, and once we reviewed the initial results, we began drafting a manuscript that we plan to submit to a top journal soon. My stay also coincided with a work design conference hosted by the institute, where I helped as a volunteer and got to present my research. Many conference attendees stayed at the institute before and after, so the place was buzzing. There were weekly research talks and many opportunities to connect. In addition to my stay at the institute, I visited La Trobe University in Melbourne, where I gave a research talk and further expanded my network. Overall, it was an incredibly inspiring and productive experience.”

What have you learned in Australia that you have brought back with you?

“My time in Australia taught me the value of cultivating a strong research network by actively connecting with people, sharing ideas, and seeking fresh perspectives. I also gained a deeper appreciation for work-life balance, a practice the Australians excel at; this inspired me to bring more well-being initiatives to work, such as teaching office yoga. Beyond that, I returned with a surge of motivation and renewed excitement about remaining in academia, thanks to the dynamic environment and meaningful collaborations I experienced.”

Why is an international approach to your PhD research important to you?

“Adopting an international perspective is crucial for broadening the scope of my research and ensuring its applicability across diverse contexts. This is especially true for my focus on hybrid work, a global phenomenon since the pandemic led many employees to work remotely. Today, organizations worldwide face similar challenges in balancing onsite and remote work. By collaborating with experts and scholars internationally, I can produce insights that resonate broadly and support the development of more effective strategies for teams everywhere. Moreover, connecting with an international network spurs innovative thinking and creates opportunities to build a shared pool of expertise and experiences.”

Apart from your PhD research, you also do many ‘extracurricular’ activities, could you tell us more?

“Outside of my PhD, I am active on several boards. For example, I serve as the student representative on the Interdisciplinary Network for Group Research Board of Directors and am part of the pHResh Network. Additionally, I helped organize the 2023 PhD Day – the largest PhD event in the Netherlands – where I served as Head of Marketing, actively advertising the event. With an amazing organizing committee, we welcomed over 750 PhDs and postdocs from the Netherlands and Northern Germany. The day was a great success, featuring keynotes, 20+ workshops, a career fair, and a panel discussion – all under the theme “Sustainable paths: Planting seeds of innovation.”