A critical new volume, Sustainable Development Through the World of Work, edited by Julie Olson-Buchanan, John C. Scott, and Lori Foster, brings together global voices in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology to demonstrate how this discipline can accelerate progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While I-O psychology has long offered insights with the potential to improve societal well-being, much of this work has remained siloed within academic and professional circles. This book bridges that gap by framing I-O psychology in terms of real-world impact, offering a compelling case for its relevance to policymakers, practitioners, and changemakers on the front lines of sustainable development.
Designed for accessibility and global reach, the book distills science and practice into brief, engaging entries across four urgent themes: social sustainability, health and well-being, economics, and the environment. Authorship teams balance science and practice while reflecting a diversity of perspectives—including voices from low- and middle-income countries. With each section concluding in expert commentary, the volume serves as a practical and inclusive guide for public and private sector leaders eager to harness the power of work psychology to drive prosocial change at scale.
