Beyond skin-deep: Social and emotional work in the beauty industry

Background

Hair and beauty salon workers are in frequent contact with diverse members of the community.

Aim

This project aims to investigate the under-explored role that salon workers play in the emotional lives of their clients. It also aims to understand how salon workers might be a unique avenue for addressing pressing social issues such as family violence, mental health and social isolation.

Significance

Expected outcomes include co-designed solutions to facilitate connection between community services and salon workers and to utilise salon workers as a community resource, as well as more effectively supporting workers in negotiating an emotionally complex workplace.

Funding Body

Australian Research Council (Project ID: DE200100989)

Funding Budget

$401,664

Project start date

July 2020

Expected completion date

June 2023