Frank Martela’s research focuses on what enables meaningful life and meaningful work. He has done extensive work on human well-being, motivation, and how organizations and institutions can unleash human potential.
Not only has his research been highly impactful in the scholarly community, but he also very actively engages with the public, and his insights are sought by international media, such as the New York Times or BBC. He has also written several books on happiness and the meaning of life, with his latest book A Wonderful Life – Insights on Finding a Meaningful existence (HarperCollins 2020) translated into 29 languages. He also has a long-standing connection to the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management as an alumnus from the Information Networks programs, which is one of the programs co-produced by the department.
“I am excited to start as a professor in the department as I enjoy the forward-looking and innovative can-do -attitude of the faculty, where people want to make research that has positive practical impact. This new position allows me to start building a research group around how organisations can best support the motivation, meaningfulness, and well-being of their employees, enabling even bigger impact in the future,” Frank notes.
The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management operates as a scientific community at the forefront of its discipline and as a producer and co-producer of three educational programs: Industrial Engineering and Management, Information Networks, and Aalto Ventures Program.
“I am extremely happy to have Frank on board as a professor at our department. Frank is not only a great scholar and a great teacher but also a very pleasant and humble colleague,” says Jens Schmidt, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management.