The Science of Recruitment and Retention

What does effective recruitment look like to you? Given the proper process, even the most difficult recruitment decisions can be made with total confidence – placing the right people in exactly the place they want to be. 

So much time and energy goes into writing the perfect job description and advertising in the right places, but when it comes to running a successful interview, many of us still trust our gut instead of truly understanding the science.

Good decision making is crucial to help avoid the financial and legal implications of the wrong choice – people who don’t stay, people who don’t fit the culture or are put into the wrong role. 

Instead of making that mistake and needing to go back to square one, join Professor Thomas Ormerod, Applied Behavioural Science lead at the University of Sussex, for an introduction to the Science of Recruitment and Retention. Learn the interview techniques and insights that will help ensure you find the right candidate for the role every time.

This event is a taster session for a new University of Sussex accredited CPD course, available free of charge in exchange for your feedback and insights.

Thomas Ormerod is a Professor of Psychology and former Head of School at the University of Sussex, specialising as a researcher in cognitive, social and forensic psychology. He leads the Applied Behavioural Science initiative, designed to promote psychlogical services based on School research to non-academic users.

His research aims to combine theoretical and applied aspects of psychological research into problem-solving, decision-making and expertise. His work on interview techniques has been employed by major airlines and intelligence agencies as part of security screening protocols, and his latest area of research explores practical applications for cognitive and social science in the recruitment industry.

He is currently developing a CPD course for recruitment and HR professionals, designed to share applied psychological techniques for:

• Job design
• Person specification
• Advertising and marketing
• Shortlisting
• Pre-testing
• Interviewing
• Post-interview decision making
• Candidate offers
• Onboarding
• Probation review
• Role re-evaluation

By participating in this event, you'll get a first look at some of the insights and expertise provided in the full CPD programme, as well as informing the design and direction of the course with your feedback.

Event Specific Accessibility:

This event is on the first floor in our Seminar Room, there is step-free access via the lift on the ground floor.

Please bring reusable water bottles and coffee cups where possible. A selection of food and drink will be provided and we are able to cater to a variety of dietary requirements including vegan and gluten free. Please let a member of our team know if you have an allergy.

This event will be seated and includes an active panel discussion with continous talking and a short presentation. If you require a quiet space at any time during the event, please speak to a member of our team who will be able to arrange this for you.

If you have any questions or concernes around accessibility for this event, please get in touch with [email protected].

Location: Sussex Innovation is based on the University of Sussex Falmer campus. It can be accessed by the 23, 25 and 28 buses, trains to Falmer station. The Sussex Innovation car park is free to guests of the centre – press the buzzer on the carpark barrier and let reception know which event you are attending.

General accessibility: The main doors to the building are automatic and have step-free access. Gender neutral toilets are available by reception. We want to ensure everyone can access and enjoy our events at Sussex Innovation. If you have any additional accessibility requirements or concerns, please get in touch with our facilities team at [email protected].

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Sussex Innovation, Science Park Square, Brighton, United Kingdom