DoctorMegan Blakely

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Dr Megan Blakely is a researcher in the psychology of work, specialising in how people interact with complex sociotechnical systems. Her work integrates human factors, organisational psychology, and systems thinking to understand how technology, leadership, organisational design, and governance influence human behaviour, safety, wellbeing, and performance.

Her research investigates how work systems, organisational structures, leadership, and emerging technologies influence human behaviour, safety, wellbeing, and performance. Drawing on human factors, organisational psychology, systems thinking, artificial intelligence, governance, and behavioural science, she examines how the design of sociotechnical systems shapes both human capability and human vulnerability. Human factors recognises that people have both remarkable strengths and inherent cognitive, physical, and social limitations, and that failures are often consequences of system design rather than individual shortcomings.

A particular focus of her research is the psychosocial risks emerging from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. She examines how work design, cognitive workload, trust in automation, decision-making under pressure, role ambiguity, and organisational governance influence worker wellbeing and performance. Her work argues that AI should not simply automate tasks but should be designed to complement human strengths, accommodate human limitations, and create conditions in which people can perform safely, effectively, and sustainably. Rather than viewing human error as the primary problem, her research explores how poorly designed technologies, governance arrangements, and organisational systems can unintentionally set people up to fail, and how human-centred design can create more resilient, ethical, and productive workplaces.

A central theme throughout her work is understanding how work systems can be designed to support the wellbeing and performance of diverse workforces. Her research examines leadership, organisational culture, psychosocial wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion, neurodiversity, and evidence-based approaches to organisational change. She is particularly interested in how organisations can create environments where people with different backgrounds, identities, abilities, and ways of thinking are able to contribute and succeed. Within the New Zealand context, her work also considers the implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, bicultural practice, and culturally responsive approaches to organisational and technological design.

Alongside her academic research, Dr Blakely works with organisations to translate evidence into practice, supporting the design and implementation of human-centred systems, AI governance, organisational change, and workplace innovation. Her work bridges research and industry, helping organisations make better decisions about technology, people, and work through practical, ethical, and evidence-informed approaches.

Overall, her research seeks to understand and improve the relationship between people, technology, and organisations, delivering meaningful, practical, and sustainable impact for workers, organisations, and society.