Has the psychological contract with the workforce weakened?
To mark WORKTECH Academy’s tenth anniversary, this column looks at persistent themes over the past decade such as a worsening relationship between employers and employees
New research bolsters the case for neurobiophilic design
Neuroscientists have long made claims that greenery, daylight and natural materials can make spaces feel better to work in. New studies confirm the approach — and put a price tag on the benefits
Good for the mind: how biophilic design prompts sustainable action
A growing stack of research suggests that designing spaces around nature doesn't just make people happier and more productive, it makes them more likely to act sustainably too
Connecting the dots: Chicago makes the case for human-centred work
WORKTECH Chicago 2026 speakers placed humans at the centre of workplace evolution, exploring how to create places where employees can perform at their best
The complex cultural mix that influences our cognitive state
What mindset should designers be aiming to support? New research suggests that how we want to feel in the workplace is a stronger cultural indicator than how we currently feel
The golden rule of designing to prioritise people before technology
Don’t set ambient conditions for working with machines. People want to feel valued in the workplace, so why not treat them how you’d like to be treated yourself?
Design for mingling: six recurring modes of social interaction
New research from a Dutch design team sheds light on the different ways we connect with each other in public space. How can neuroscience inform workspace strategies for human connection?
Will the universality of AI knowledge make every space look the same?
Use of AI in the design of environments is currently hit and miss, but in the near future access to verified knowledge will improve. At that point, designers will face difficult ethical choices
