Member Spotlight: Brittany Lynner

Name
Brittany Lynner

Position/Employer
I-O Psychology PhD Student at Colorado State University and contractor for Data Driven Enterprises (DDE) and Experience Management Institute (EXMI)

How long have you been a SIOP member?
Going on 4 years!

What roles have you had within SIOP?
I participated in the 2023 SIOP Consulting Challenge and am hoping to get involved in a standing committee.

Interest area(s)
I’m interested in workplace inclusion and equity, occupational health psychology, and leadership.

What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
My passion for I-O psychology was ignited during my time as a campus residence life professional where I lived and worked among the community I served. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, but the unique job demands and blurred boundaries between personal life and professional responsibilities led to burnout. This sparked a deep interest in finding effective strategies to prevent and mitigate burnout, and to enhance worker well-being.

What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
I-O psychology is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of work, not just within organizations but also in advocating for crucial societal changes. I see our field advocating for policies that prioritize well-being and human rights in areas that we have historically overlooked (e.g., prison labor) as well as evolving areas (e.g., recovery friendly workplaces, medical marijuana rights for workers, the profound impact of mass shootings on employees).

Which of the Top 10 Work Trends for 2023 do you most strongly relate to, and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact this trend?

Ensuring inclusive environments and cultures (Trend #4). In my IOP commentary, Critical race theory as a guide for White I-O psychologists’ reflection and reflexivity, I discuss the opportunity and obligation that I-Os have to confront racism, cultivate workplaces rooted in belonging and justice, and meet employees’ varying needs across a diversity of lived experiences and social identities.

What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
Oh goodness! As a student myself, I have two pieces of advice. (1) Avoid “shoulding” on yourself. It’s easy to fall into the trap of setting unrealistic expectations based on what you think you “should” be doing. Instead, focus on what aligns with your values, passions, and well-being. Be kind to yourself and recognize that your journey is unique and doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s. (2) The value you bring isn’t solely defined by your achievements. It’s about the connections you build, the support you offer, and the empathy you show toward others.

What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?

One of my most memorable moments occurred during an IGNITE session about qualitative research I co-\chaired in Boston. Right as I was introducing our session, the fire alarm blared, and we had to evacuate the Convention Center. After the initial confusion and evacuation, we were cleared to return. Despite the disruption, many people swiftly returned to our session. It was heartwarming to witness the genuine interest and appreciation for qualitative research! The fire alarm definitely added an extra “spark” to our already rapid-fire session!

Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
I’m a two-time alumnus of The Ohio State University and a huge Buckeye football fan! My advisor, Dr. Joshua Prasad, is an alumnus of the University of Michigan and Michigan State, but we’ve maintained a good relationship despite the contention among our alma maters!

Is there anything you would like to add?
My SIOP White Paper, “The R.O.A.D. to Recovery Friendly Workplaces,” was inspired by a project in Dr. Gwen Fisher’s Occupational Health Psychology class. Special thanks to her support! Also, I’m happy to share that I’m ABD (all but dissertation) and will soon be on the job market! Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!

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