IAWBH - Carlo Caponecchia

Dr Alison THIRLWALL -

IAWBH CURRENT PRESIDENT

Dr Alison Thirlwall is an Associate Professor for the BBA and Bachelor of Business degrees (all specialisations) in the Faculty of Business at the University of Wollongong in Dubai. She is the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (OCTAL) 2021 and the Teaching Excellence Awards 2019.

Dr Thirlwall obtained her PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand (a triple accredited business school), specialising in workplace bullying in New Zealand institutes of technology and polytechnics. She also holds an MBA from the Open University (also triple accredited) and a BA in Business Studies from the University of East London, both based in the UK.

Her research interests revolve around the management of workplace conflict and its implications in a range of international settings.

Prior to joining UOWD in 2012, she taught the MBA and subjects in bachelor degrees at Emirates Aviation College, Dubai. She has worked at managerial levels in the public transport and higher education sectors, and she is a qualified adult educator and trainer. In her previous role, she taught management disciplines including organisational behaviour and human resource management, international business, and strategic management. She has extensive international experience, having worked in the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia, Fiji and the UAE.

Dr Carlo Caponecchia - IAWBH IMMEDIATE PAST President

I’m interested in several aspects of workplace bullying research and practice, including measurement, conceptual issues, and interventions, though my overall approach to workplace bullying research is from the perspective of workplace health and safety. This approach views bullying as an occupational hazard that should be managed like other health and safety hazards. My training is in psychology, and my interest in bullying grew from my work in stress.

I co-authored the 2011 book “Preventing workplace bullying: An evidence based guide for managers and employees” with my colleague Dr Anne Wyatt (published by Routledge/Allen & Unwin), and convene the risk management special interest group within the IAWBH.

In the past few years, I’ve been advising government agencies on policy development regarding workplace bullying, as well as contributing to several inquiries into workplace bullying in Australia. In addition to research and research consultancy projects, I’ve been involved in designing workshops for senior staff and public agency decision makers. Recently I've been part of the committee working on the development of the new International Standard on psychological health at work, ISO45003, which is expected to be released in 2021.

I’m based in Sydney, Australia, and have been a member of the Board since 2016.