THE AFTERSHOCK PROJECT
Understanding how high-risk occupational cultures shape people across the life course.
The Aftershock Project explores how military and other high-risk occupational cultures shape identity, relationships, behaviour and wellbeing. It brings together lived experience, anthropology, contemplative practice, community engagement and emerging research to better understand adaptation, belonging and recalibration.
The central idea
What happens when adaptations that are essential in one environment continue into another?
Explore the work
Why this matters
High-risk occupational cultures develop qualities that save lives, build trust and strengthen teams. Those same adaptations can also shape identity, relationships and everyday life long after service or operational roles have changed.
The Aftershock Project explores these adaptations with curiosity rather than judgement, asking how we can support flexibility and recalibration without losing the strengths these cultures create.
Where would you like to begin?
Whether you have served, supported someone who has, work in a helping profession, study these topics or are simply curious, there is a place to begin.
Featured reflections
If you're new to The Aftershock Project, these pieces introduce the central ideas behind the work.
About The Aftershock Project
The Aftershock Project brings together lived experience, professional practice and research to explore how high-risk occupational cultures shape identity, relationships and wellbeing across the life course.
This work is informed by lived experience, years of professional practice in mindfulness, ACT, addiction recovery and behaviour change, a background in social anthropology, and ongoing research in mental health and wellbeing. Together, these experiences continue to shape the questions I ask and the conversations I hope this project encourages.
"The adaptations that help us survive one environment are not always the ones that help us flourish in another."
— Sue Oatley
