About Me

Prof. Sebastiaan (Ian) Rothmann is a scholar in Industrial and Organisational Psychology and the Director of the Optentia Research Unit at North-West University (NWU), South Africa. With a career spanning over three decades, Prof. Rothmann is internationally recognised for his impactful scholarship on employee well-being, sustainable employability, and capability development. He is a B1-rated researcher by South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), signifying the global relevance and quality of his work.

Since earning his M.Com (1986) and PhD (1996) in Industrial Psychology from NWU, Prof. Rothmann has been instrumental in shaping the academic trajectories of over 150 Master's and 76 PhD students across countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Finland. His extensive publication record includes more than 260 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, positioning him as a leading voice in positive organisational scholarship.

Prof. Rothmann’s research journey began with a focus on job demands, burnout, and work engagement (2000–2010), evolving into an integrated exploration of human flourishing, resilience, decent work, and sustainable employability (2011–present). His pioneering use of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and the capability approach has contributed significantly to understanding how individuals can thrive in both stable and precarious work environments. His work is especially noted for its real-world impact, influencing strategies to enhance employability, particularly among young people and marginalised communities in South Africa.

Under his leadership, Optentia has become a hub for interdisciplinary and socially relevant research, hosting South Africa’s first Stats Camp and supporting large-scale capacity-building initiatives. Prof. Rothmann’s research philosophy is pragmatic and socially committed, blending quantitative rigour with qualitative insight. His focus remains on fostering environments that enable people to flourish through context-sensitive, ethical, and inclusive research practices.

Driven by a commitment to justice and human development, Prof. Rothmann’s current research agenda explores pathways from precariousness to flourishing. This includes creating capability-based interventions that support employability and well-being in a rapidly changing world of work—especially as automation and AI reshape the employment landscape.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Prof. Rothmann is deeply influenced by personal values and rejuvenates through early morning reading and time in nature, particularly in his homeland of Namibia.