This is Home: Revisiting organisational solidarity through a classical psychoanalytic lens

Seminar abstract

Recent studies of worker solidarity draw attention to the importance of emotional bond and relationships with others as a basis for solidarity. However, they do not take into account past events, life histories, or the impact of early life trauma on people's interpretations and behaviours in the present.

This seminar will draw on empirical material gathered in an organisational context and analysed through a psychoanalytically-informed method.

This seminar will also seek to demonstrate how past trauma, relived by workers from forced migration backgrounds in the presence of organisational change and crisis, drive people towards forming solidaristic bonds with each other that are primarily aimed at the accomplishment of emotional, rather that employment-related or financial security.

Speakers bios

Professor Martyna Sliwa

Professor Martyna Sliwa is a Professor of Management and Organisational Studies at the Essex Business School at the University of Essex.

Her research interests include

• Language and multilinguality in organisations
• migration
• mobility and careers
• intersectionality
• critical management education 

Dr Bob Townley

Dr Bob Townley is a Lecturer in Management at the York Management School at the University of York.

 Dr Townley is an experienced lecturer, researcher and evaluator, specialising in work, learning and skills, as well as;

• diversity 
• mental health 
• leadership
• organisation