Meet SIOP Member Fagana Stone
Name
Fagana Stone
Position/Employer
Research Scientist
How long have you been a SIOP member?
5 years
What roles have you had within SIOP?
Annual Conference submission reviewer, Institutional Research Committee
Interest area(s)
AI ethics, engagement, measurement
What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
My interest in I-O psychology was sparked by my experiences in organizational performance and management assessment centers, where I observed how workplace culture, leadership behaviors, and systems in place for recognition directly impacted employee motivation and performance. I wanted to understand the science behind these dynamics in terms of how data, measurement, psychology, and communication practices intersect to improve organizational outcomes and employee effectiveness through a sense of belonging and impact.
What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
I-O psychology will play a critical role in shaping the future of work by guiding ethical AI integration and monitoring fluctuations of skills in demand. As automation and flexible work arrangements become a new norm, I-O psychologists are uniquely positioned to ensure that human factors, such as trust, inclusion, and engagement, remain central. The I-O psychology field will increasingly serve as the moral and analytical compass for how organizations balance efficiency and technological advancements with humanity.
What work trends are you seeing and hearing about and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact these trends?
Key trends are AI-driven talent management, workforce reskilling, and data ethics. The rise of various work arrangements challenges traditional understanding of engagement, fairness, and measurement. I-O professionals can continue influencing these trends by advancing ethical frameworks for AI use and researching the evolving psychological contract between employees and employers.
What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
Stay curious, skeptical, and data minded, but never lose sight of the people behind the numbers. Remain open to diverse perspectives, and don’t limit your environment to only I-O psychologists. Expand your feedback-seeking and problem-solving efforts to include experts from other fields to develop a holistic perspective on work and employee dynamics.
What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?
One of my favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories was connecting with peers and senior researchers during the sessions on AI, data ethics, and the future of work. It reinforced the sense of community within SIOP, where practitioners and academics genuinely collaborate to tackle emerging workforce challenges. Presentations and sessions vary from brainstorming to sharing new theoretical and practical insights, making these conferences holistically impactful.
Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
I’ve put my insomnia to exciting use by embracing a new hobby of astrophotography. You’ll often find me outside with my telescope at odd hours of the night, trying to capture images of galaxies and emission nebulae.
Is there anything you would like to add?
As technology continues to redefine human interaction, the science of I-O psychology has never been more essential. I look forward to continuing to contribute through collaborative research with academicians and practitioners who are passionate about advancing equity, trust, and innovation in organizations.
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