The NIOSH Future of Work Initiative Research Agenda
December 2021
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2022-105
Ongoing and accelerating changes in the workplace, work, and workforce continue to shape the future of work. As a result, more research is needed to better understand and address both new and long-standing worker safety, health, and well-being issues. Responding to these evolving needs, NIOSH introduced its Future of Work Initiative (Initiative) in 2019. The vision of the Initiative is to prepare the occupational safety and health ecosystem for a safer, healthier, and more productive future. To do so, NIOSH has developed the NIOSH Future of Work Initiative Research Agenda (Agenda).
The Agenda outlines research-focused directions to grow the Initiative, and which may inform practice, policy, and capacity-building activities, across every NIOSH sector, cross-sector, and core and specialty program. The Agenda frames the most pressing workplace and work issues expected to impact the safety and health of tomorrow’s workforce, across jobs, occupations, and industries using a set of previously developed future of work priority topics and sub-topics.
Its goals and objectives are intended to help NIOSH scientists identify and prioritize future of work grant proposals, publications, and other outputs for the current FY2019-2024 NIOSH Strategic Plan, its next iteration, and other prospective internal and external mechanisms. The Agenda is also intended to inform external partners about NIOSH’s future of work efforts, on behalf of the Nation, and inspire the larger safety and health community with their own. As the future of work evolves, so too must this Agenda, which will be updated over time to reflect shifting priorities.
The NIOSH Future of Work Initiative Research Agenda pdf icon[PDF – 1 MB]
Suggested Citation
NIOSH [2021]. The NIOSH future of work initiative research agenda. By Tamers S, Pana-Cryan R, Ruff T, Streit J, Flynn M, Childress A, Chang CC, Novicki E, Ray T, Fosbroke D, Geraci C. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2022-105, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2022105external icon.