The future academic workplace
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Universities are adapting for the future of research and learning!
The increasing commercialisation of research and globalisation of the university workforce is putting more pressure on universities to adopt commercial workplace practices – and that includes more open environments and activity-based working. This adds new dimensions to the traditional assumptions many academics have about the best way to work.
“In most industry sectors the workplace design debate has long since moved beyond the binary argument for or against open plan environments.”
Today’s Work Spaces and Open Plan Design, DEGW 3
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?
What does all the research say about the impact of a more industry-style workplace in academia? Can we design working environments that support both solitary focus and teamwork?
The average desk in a research facility is only occupied for 45% of the day.
Source: Research Environments for Higher Education
A MIX OF SPACES TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST
Providing a range of spaces for individual focus, informal communication and collaboration is more likely to create an effective, satisfying workplace than sticking to either an open or enclosed office design.
