BOOK / ARCHIVAL IMAGE
Old books, annotations,
mythology, research notes
mythology, research notes
BOOK
Original Sin
The Myth of Woman and the Making of Shame.
SOCIOLOGIST | HUMAN FACTORS RESEARCHER | WRITER
TONYA
WHITTLE
Exploring human potential at the intersection of emotion, social conditioning, and behaviour.
EXPLORE THE WORK →
ABOUT TONYA
Two decades of studying people across very different environments.
I’m a sociologist and human factors researcher whose work is rooted in more than twenty years of studying and working with people across domestic violence, homelessness, oil and gas, aviation, fitness, construction and maritime safety.
The environments have been different, but many of the questions have remained remarkably similar.
MORE ABOUT TONYA →THE QUESTION THAT GUIDES MY WORK
What allows some people to live into their potential—even under constrained conditions—while others, equally capable, remain held back?
It’s a question I’ve been asking in one form or another for more than two decades.
AN IDEA AT THE CENTRE OF THE WORK
Human behaviour is an outcome.
It is shaped by emotion, belief, relationships, opportunity, social and cultural conditioning, the environments we inhabit and the systems we inherit.
But those conditions are not necessarily destiny.
THE WORK
Research. Writing. Speaking.
01
Research
Human factors, maritime safety, empathy, risk perception and women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
EXPLORE RESEARCH →02
Writing
Human behaviour, emotion, conditioning, gender, organizations and the stories that shape how we understand ourselves.
READ THE WRITING →03
Speaking
Research, storytelling and multidisciplinary experience brought together in conversations people remember.
SPEAKING & MEDIA →
CURRENTLY EXPLORING
Work in progress.
CONSTRUCTION IMAGE
Real research context,
women at work, field imagery
women at work, field imagery
RESEARCH
Breaking the
Concrete Ceiling
Advancing women in construction.
MARITIME IMAGE
Fishing, harbour, vessel
or research photography
or research photography
HUMAN FACTORS
Maritime
Safety
The human side of risk, safety and performance.
PODCAST
A new conversation is coming.
Human behaviour, emotion, conditioning and the forces that shape who we become—grounded in research, curiosity, lived experience and conversations worth having.
PODCAST →
FROM THE BOOKSHELF
Books by Tonya Whittle.
Writing that explores people, behaviour, identity, possibility and the stories that shape our lives.
BOOK COVER
Book Title One
A short descriptor can go here.
BOOK COVER
Book Title Two
A short descriptor can go here.
BOOK COVER
Book Title Three
A short descriptor can go here.
FROM THE WRITING DESK
Ideas worth sitting with.
New writing, research, podcast conversations and occasional updates on the work I’m developing.
No daily motivation. No endless funnel emails. Just the work.
Nancy Burton
Intact InsuranceÂ
I’ve taken part in day events, in-depth courses, and even international retreats — each one offering something distinct, yet deeply connected. Every experience added a new layer, building a strong foundation for lasting growth.
Through Tonya’s work, I haven’t just learned — I’ve transformed. I’ve stepped into personal breakthroughs, realized lifelong goals, and reclaimed parts of myself I didn’t even know were missing.
