Lara Zibarras

Information:
Specialism:	Selection and assessment, in particular the applicant perspective; innovation and personality; 'green' issues & sustainability in the workplace; selection in small-to-medium sized organisations.
Teaching:	MSc in Organisational Psychology: selection and assessment; psychological contract; research in organisations; professional skills. Level A & B certificates in Occupational Testing.
Location:	Social Sciences Building, Room D431
Tel:	020 7040 4573
Fax:	020 7040 8581
Email:	l.zibarras@city.ac.uk
Office Hours:	Wednesdays & Fridays - email for appointment
Administration:	Personal tutor, module leader for 2 modules, dissertation supervisor

Lara became a part-time lecturer in the Organisational Psychology Group at City in 2008. She had previously joined City University in 2004 as a research assistant and then in 2005 started her PhD, during which time she had various course related responsibilities including teaching and dissertation supervision. Prior to her PhD Lara held diverse roles from training and development, IT manager and independent consultant (working for a range of public and private sector organisations).

Lara's research interests lie broadly within selection, innovation and sustainability in the workplace. Her PhD research has focused on the applicant perspective in selection and examined the determinants to application reactions and fairness perceptions during the selection process. She also has an interest in the application of selection theories and methods to small and medium sized organisations.

In addition, she has completed a number of innovation research projects, including an examination of the relationship between innovation and both 'dark side' and Big Five personality characteristics, and exploring how organisations can and should select innovators. Finally, recent research has explored the barriers and facilitators to acting in 'green' and sustainable ways in the workplace.

Lara is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist; a member of the BPS Division of Occupational Psychology and Society of Industrial and Organisational Psychology; and a member of the organising committee for the Division of Occupational Psychology Conference. She is also a BPS accredited assessor for Level A & B certificates in Occupational Testing.

PUBLICATIONS

Zibarras, L.D. & Woods, S.A. (2010). A survey of UK selection practices across different organization sizes and industry sectors. (Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, in press)

Dipper, M.R.R., Pathak, S.B. & Zibarras, L.D. (2010). Advancing selection in an SME: Is best practice applicable? (International Small Business Journal, in press)

Patterson, F., Carr, V., Zibarras, L., Burr, B., Berkin, L., Plint, S., Irish, B. & Gregory, S (2009). New machine-marked tests for selection into core medical training: Evidence from two validation studies. Clinical Medicine, 9, 1-4.

Patterson, F. & Zibarras, L. (2009). Creative problem-solving at work. General Practice Update, June, 48-52.

Zibarras, L.D., Port, R.L. & Woods, S.A. (2008). Innovation and the ‘Dark Side’ of Personality: Dysfunctional Traits and their Relation to Innovation Potential. Journal of Creative Behavior, 42, 201-215.

Patterson, F., Zibarras, L., Carr, V., Irish, B. & Gregory, S. (submitted). Evaluating candidate reactions to selection practices using organisational justice theory (Submitted to Medical Education).

Holman, D., Totterdell, P., Axtell, C., Stride, C., Port, R., Svensson, R, & Zibarras, L.D. (submitted). The employee innovation process, learning strategies and the job context. (Submitted to Journal of Organizational Behaviour).

Port, R.L., Zibarras, L.D. & Woods, S.A. (submitted). The Convergence of Trait Innovation and the Big Five: A Study of Personality Correlates of the Innovation Potential Indicator. (Submitted to International Journal of Selection and Assessment).

PRESENTATIONS

Zibarras, L.D & Patterson, F. (2009). Applicant reactions, perceived fairness and ethnic differences in a live, high-stakes selection context. Paper presentation at the Division of Occupational Psychology Conference. Blackpool, England.

Moutafi, J. & Zibarras, L.D. (2008) The Impact of Organisational Factors on Employee Engagement. Paper presentation at the Division of Occupational Psychology Conference. Warwickshire, England.

Port, R.L. & Zibarras, L.D. (2006). Personality and innovation potential in an occupational context. Paper presentation at the International Congress of Applied Psychology Conference. Athens, Greece.

Port, R.L. & Zibarras, L.D. (2006). The development of innovation selection tools at Nestlé UK. Paper presentation at the annual Division of Occupational Psychology Conference 2006. Glasgow, Scotland.

Zibarras, L.D. (2005). Innovation and Personality: the Dark Side. Paper presentation at the European Association of Work and Organisation Psychology Conference. Istanbul, Turkey.

CONSULTANCY

Since 2004 she has been involved in a number of consultancy projects which have included:

Developing a risk questionnaire (2009)
Evaluation of selection processes and methods from an applicant’s perspective, for a local council and medical / dental deaneries (2007-2008)
Gender perceptions in occupations (2007)
Development of appraisal tools for a small market research company (2006-2007)
The design and validation of selection tools for a leading, medium sized recruitment consultancy (2006)
The development and validation of innovation selection tools in a large, multinational organisation (2005)
Design, development and evaluation of a database training course in a medium sized organisation (2004-2005)
Development of database and website interfaces for a property company, using user-centred and usability design techniques (2004-2005)

INVITED TALKS

Innovation & Personality: The Big Five & the ‘Dark Side’. Pearn Kandola lunchtime seminar