From theory to impact: bringing work-life initiatives into the mainstream.

Abstract

In this special issue we focus on the work and influence of Sue Lewis, one of the Community, Work and Family Journal's two founding editors. In launching this journal Sue, together with Carolyn Kagan, aimed to encourage debate and critical examination of, and reflection on, existing perspectives, frameworks and practices (Kagan & Lewis, 2015). They also explicitly aimed ‘to publish work that challenged the status quo, encouraged personal reflection and reflexivity, and put professional and lay views side by side' (Kagan & Lewis, 2015). For this special issue we invited researchers who have worked with Sue at different stages of her career – from her Ph.D. supervisor (Cary Cooper), some of her international research partners (Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Ellen Kossek), her previous colleagues at Manchester Metropolitan University (Carolyn Kagan, Rebecca Lawthom), her national and international research partners on a series of European projects (Julia Brannen, Ann Nilsen, Laura den Dulk, Bram Peper), through to one of Sue's recent Ph.D. students and early career researcher (Uracha Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, Sweta Rajan-Rankin). In the articles that are to follow, the authors draw upon and highlight the considerable and invaluable influences that Sue's work has had in the field of Community, Work and Family.
The fact that the authors of these papers have had relationships with Sue that span several decades means that the papers focus on a variety of areas, but some common themes recur throughout the issue. Below we draw out some of these recurring themes and highlight Sue's influence in this area: