Having examined internal speak-up systems in depth, Professor Kenny and Professor Fotaki were aware that, in some cases, both the speak-up systems and the laws can fail workers disclosing wrongdoing.

Yet this fact is often overlooked in research and policy. We identified a persistent contradiction in how whistleblowers are perceived; on the one hand, they are acknowledged as a vital way in which corruption comes to light and yet, society does little to support the real-life struggles of the many whistleblowers who find themselves without a source of income and little prospect of finding work in their chosen career. 

In response, we began “Post-disclosure Survival Strategies: Transforming Whistleblower Experiences”, a research project funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 2016-2019.

Specific research questions included:

1. What are the costs of whistleblowing, both tangible and intangible, for those who leave their organization?
2. What supports are needed?
3. How can whistleblowing be reframed to emphasize the necessity of appropriate supports for individuals who speak up?  

Examining what happens when protections are not available, we found significant financial, career-related and personal costs of whistleblowing, quantified these, and detailed the changes required to institutional arrangements in place for whistleblower support. These dimensions had not yet been explored nor specified in extant literature or practice.

Professor Kate Kenny led this project with Co-I Professor Marianna Fotaki. We surveyed 92 whistleblowers and interviewed over 60 whistleblowers and experts in the field, working with an expert advisory board in design and execution of the research.

Outputs:

Our work yielded academic publications but also practitioner-focused outputs: short accessible case studies, a project report, animated video for social media (approx. 2 mins duration), and a policy brief, all of which were distributed online and shared via project partners and www.whistleblowingimpact.org.

Impacts of our Research on Post-Disclosure Survival Strategies

Politicians, regulators and civil servants involved in developing new whistleblower legislation can implement infrastructures that better protect whistleblowers.

• Referenced in legal submissions by the United States whistleblowing legal and advocacy group Government Accountability Project [Submissions for ICE whistleblower Dawn Wooten]. 
• Cited by the United States whistleblowing charity the National Whistleblower Center. 
• Cited by leading Whistleblowing Charity Protect UK in their ‘Protection for whistleblowing job applicants’ campaign.
• Citations in Irish government public consultation submissions on changes to legal protections for whistleblowers.
• Cited by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in 2021
• Professor Kenny was invited to give an Irish Parliament [Oireachtas] Briefing on changes ahead for whistleblowing in Irish and International organizations.
• We were invited to submit to pre-legislative scrutiny of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill (2021) by Ireland's Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee

Whistleblowing workers and their families understand the potential impacts of whistleblowing: the financial, mental health, and career costs, while research-based advocacy can assist post-disclosure well-being.

• We hosted a series of events to share research insights and open discussions with whistleblowers, practitioners and academics. Examples include: Project Launch webinar: ‘Whistleblowers After Disclosure: Financial Impacts, Career Paths, and Survival Strategies’, Jan 2021 [153 delegates]. ‘Enabling Whistleblowers: International Regulations and Responsibilities: A Workshop’, Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, Jesus College, Cambridge, 10th September 2017 [40 delegates]. Applied Workshop: ‘Networking for whistleblowers: Post-disclosure Workshop’, Queen’s University Belfast. 28th June 2018 [10 delegates]. ‘Transforming Whistleblowers’ Experiences: Changing Organisational Practices and Post-Disclosure Survival Strategies’, The Shard (Warwick Business School), London, 30th June, 2017 [28 delegates].
• Professor Kenny appeared on RTÉ Drivetime radio, RTÉ Investigates, and two Irish-language contributions to TG4 documentaries on whistleblowing. The last three appearances were in support of specific individual whistleblowers who were the subject of smear campaigns by their retaliating organizaton. Professor Kenny provided research- and evidence-based input in support of their cases.
• We support individual public interest whistleblowers by inviting them as speakers at public events at University of Galway and University of Warwick and at national practitioner conferences.
• Through public engagement, we highlight the impacts of speaking up on whistleblowers. Our research was featured in the Financial Times, the Guardian, Psychology Today and the Sunday Business Post, and we have published opinion pieces in The Atlantic (1), the Irish Times (2), RTÉ Brainstorm (7) and The Conversation (3).