Behind the MSc: A Q & A with the Course Director Dr. Moran Anisman-Razin on Work and Organisational Psychology/Behaviour

What inspired you to pursue a career in work and organisational psychology/behaviour, and how has your own background shaped your role as Course Director?

I was always interested in psychology and always knew that the clinical route was not for me. As I got older and came across organisational psychology, I realized that this is what I was really interested in – specifically leadership and developing leaders. That led me to an UG in psychology and sociology where I discovered my love for research. That led me to get my PhD in organisational and social psychology. Today I am able to incorporate both things that I enjoy – doing research and developing leaders through executive education programmes in the Kemmy Business School and around the world.
 

Can you share something interesting with us about your research?

Beyond studying leadership and leadership development, my research focuses on courage at work and beyond. What I find is that courage is not just big and heroic behaviors, but can be found in smaller ordinary actions that we all engage in often. That means that we all can and do courageous things!

What sets this programme apart from similar courses at other universities?

While you might be able to study Work and Organisational Psychology/Behaviour in other universities, our programme is unique! The MSc is designed to train evidence-based practitioners – giving you key knowledge, competencies, and tools to take on different roles in the HR, learning and development, consulting, or management. We have recently redesigned the course to meet the new challenges and opportunities that our graduates encounter in the field, giving our students the most up-to-date knowledge to jumpstart their career. 
Our students have the unique opportunity to be certified to administer  psychometric tests as a part of recruitment processes in workplaces. This qualification is very useful for those who are interested in jobs in HR.
 

Are there any unique features or modules within the programme that students should be excited about?

All of our modules are closely tied to the actual jobs and tasks that our graduates do in their careers. The exercises that we do in the classroom, the assessments are all designed to equip our students with the knowledge and skills that they will need in their careers. So the course not only gives you an understanding of what your future roles will involve but also prepares you to handle those responsibilities through practical training

Are there opportunities for students to engage in research, group projects, interdisciplinary work, or practical experience such as internships during the course?

Groupwork is integral to the course. Jobs in this area oftentimes involve working in a team and managing both the work and the interpersonal side, and so many of the modules include groupwork. This also offers a unique learning opportunity for our students, who engage with classmates from different backgrounds and experiences, learning a lot from each other.
A key component of the course is the research dissertation, in which students conduct independent empirical research, supervised by a faculty member, that will focus on examining a key question in organisation science. The dissertation gives students the opportunity to explore an area they are interested in and develop expertise in it, as well as develop research skills that are core to their future jobs.
 

What skills or knowledge will students gain that are highly valued in the industry or field?

The MSc covers all aspects of Work and Organisational Psychology/Behaviour, giving students a big “toolbox” which means they can flexibly use different tools and competencies when those are needed. This adaptability is important in the workplace.

In addition, this gives students a broad training which will allow them to move within areas of this field. For example, students may start in HR in recruiting and then will venture into consulting or learning and development. So the course gives them the flexibility to build interesting and varied careers, not confining them into one specific job.
 

What type of candidates are you looking for, and what attributes or experiences make a successful student in this programme?

We are looking for students who are interested in understanding people at work and making workplaces better. More than that, we are looking for students who want to learn and share their own experiences. Students who want to become great professionals who can make an impact on the world.