Spark reading list: adaptation

Expand your knowledge on the topic of adaptation with these free online resources, curated by our expert librarians in advance of the Spark: adaptation lecture.

Adaptation can mean any number of things. The upcoming 'Spark: adaptation' lecture hones in on the question of 'what’s the key to thriving in this constantly changing world?' With this in mind, the below resources focus on the individual experience and behavioural, educational and organisational psychology, as well as texts exploring human history.

Book now for Spark: adaptation, or check out Short Spark: adaptation for a bite-sized lunchtime session.

All readings are available online for State Library Victoria members.

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Reading list

For an overview

• Dorsey, D. W. (2017). Trainability and adaptability. In S. G. Rogelberg (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2nd ed., vol. 4) (pp. 1635-1637). Gale eBooks. 

This entry is pertinent as an introduction to popular ideas concerning adaptability in an organisational context, but also for the historical context it offers to the Spark discussion. We hope that this resource illustrates that some experiences are perennial, also hope that it prompts readers to reflect critically on this topic; what else might 'adaptation' mean? What does success look like for you in this day and age?

• Martin, A. J. (2017). Adaptability: A key capacity whose time has come. InPsych, 39(6)

This article is written with an educational psychology lens and focuses particularly on adaptability in children. It was chosen for this reading list because, despite its particular focus, it offers a broad overview of key terms, summarises some of the research conducted to date, and includes suggestions on how to improve adaptability. It’s written for a non-expert audience making it a great starter for anyone interested in getting some background to what might be discussed at the talk.

For a deeper dive

• Adonis, J. (2016). How to be great: lessons from history’s greatest leaders. Nero. Find on shelf in Redmond Barry Reading Room: B658.4092 AD74H.
• Buyukgoze-Kavas, A. (2016). Predicting career adaptability from positive psychological traits. The Career Development Quarterly, 64(2), 114-125.
• Chan, D. (2014). Individual adaptability to changes at work: new directions in research. Routledge. Find on shelf in Redmond Barry Reading Room: B 158.7 IN276R.
• Kennedy, S. (2021). Plan B: a guide to navigating and embracing change. Penguin Life. Request from onsite storage: S155.224 K386P.
• Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. Oxford University Press.
• Martin, A. J., Nejad, H., Colmar, S., & Liem, G. A. D. (2012). Adaptability: conceptual and empirical perspectives on responses to change, novelty and uncertainty. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 22(1), 58–81. 
• Sattar, M. A., Rasheed, M. I., Khan, I. U., Tariq, H., & Iqbal, J. (2017). Why adaptable individuals perform better: the role of orientation to happiness. Australian Journal of Career Development, 26(3), 134–141.
• Schulkin, J. (2011). Adaptation and wellbeing: social allostasis. Cambridge University Press.

About Spark

We’ve partnered with science and technology storytellers Future Crunch on our new interactive lecture series designed to spark conversation. 

Future events explore the topics adaptation, biotechnology and decarbonisation.