What happens when workplace research meets urban design? In this episode, Dan Emery and Alice Phillips speak with Kasia Maynard, Head of Research and Editorial at WorkTech Academy, about the shifting dynamics of work, cities, and community in a post-pandemic world.

Kasia unpacks how the pandemic accelerated—but didn’t invent—many of the trends we see today: hybrid work, the rise of in-person collaboration, and a growing need for spaces that foster real human connection. She explores why the future of work is less about choosing between home or office, and more about designing environments—urban, digital, and workplace—that support flexibility, creativity, and well-being.

We dive into:

• Why in-person meetings can reignite engagement
• The evolution of the four-day work week and employee autonomy
• How digital twins and data-driven personas are shaping urban planning
• Why AI could personalize urban experiences—but also challenge creativity
• The need for a common language in urban design and workplace strategy
• Why many wellness initiatives fail—and what to do instead
• The leadership mindset needed for a more human, hybrid future

From the 15-minute city to the blurred lines between digital and physical community spaces, Kasia offers a wide-ranging view of what the next era of work might look like—and what we need to get there.

If work feels weird, urban, and slightly sci-fi right now—this one’s for you.