ECR Community Seminar Series with Professor Anne-marie Greene (University of York)

'Beyond the linear: Thinking about work life balance and maintaining a healthy workload while navigating an academic career’ 

by Professor Anne-marie Greene

Abstract

This presentation explores the transformation of personal passion into professional impact while prioritising well-being. By reflecting on a non-linear career path—navigating institutional shifts from North London to York—I examine how alongside academic events, both positive and negative; life events, motherhood, and illness have shaped my lens. Central to this narrative is the integration of theatre and creative practice with interdisciplinary research. Crucially, the session addresses the ‘academic hustle’, offering personal reflections on my own strategies for maintaining a healthy workload and mental resilience, bridging the gap between ‘the person’ and ‘the academic’.

About the speaker

Professor Anne-marie Greene is Chair of Work and Diversity and Director of Research Impact at the School for Business and Society, University of York. Over a career spanning nearly 30 years, she has developed an international reputation in researching equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in theory and practice. A particular interest is the interface between work, life, family and community, especially where a sense of calling, mission or activism is required. This often concerns areas of work that stand outside of the standard employment relationship, and which are less formally regulated, bringing with them challenges of management policy and practice and issues of inequality. Research and consultancy projects have involved amateur theatre workers, volunteer managers and volunteers, clergy, actors, freelance creatives, diversity consultants and trade union representatives. Anne-marie is also Artistic Director of the Criterion Theatre, Coventry, a volunteer-run charity. She has two children and enjoys sewing, running, music festivals and real ale.