Checking in with Our Colleagues: Exploring Speed Dating to Enhance Library Staff Interactions

Abstract

I’ve always been interested in work culture research, and in my role as subject liaison to the psychology, sociology, and anthropology departments at the University of California-Irvine, I’ve had many research consultations focusing on happiness, professional development opportunities, positive work environments, and the measures that allow such a culture to grow. Whether the research is focused on environmental and organizational structures or from a social psychologist lens, the theme of improving workplace dynamics is ubiquitous. Establishing constructive partnerships, increasing diversity in groups, and mixing introverts and extroverts all tend to have positive effects.