Ruth Soda is a PhD student in Management at Griffith Business School. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa, with research expertise in marketing and entrepreneurship.

Her doctoral research focuses on return-to-work experiences following mental health-related absences in the Australian construction industry—a sector with high rates of stress, burnout, and suicide. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, Ruth explores personal and workplace factors that influence successful return to work, as well as strategies to reduce stigma and improve support.

Her work emphasizes early detection and timely intervention, aiming to enhance employee well-being, prevent prolonged absences, and foster healthier, more resilient workplaces.