Challenge-led interdisciplinary research themes

• Sustainable Production, Inclusivity, Consumption and Economy (SPICE)
  We research two of the biggest societal challenges of our time: (a) how to transition to sustainable forms of production and consumption, and (b) how do we do so in an equitable and inclusive way? We examine sustainable business practices; diverse patterns of working and consuming; democratic forms of business ownership and control; the changing ways in which goods and services are distributed, accessed, used and disposed of; and the moral economies of ‘societal transitions’. Our research engages directly with business strategy and public policy, and through our research we partner with large and small businesses, government, trade unions and third sector and civil society organisations.
• Work Futures
  Placing work in its social context, we undertake a radical rethinking of the possible futures of work in an age of technological transformation. We believe that the fate of those who work is not set in stone. Between automated luxury and alienated redundancy, we can shape the future of work as it unfolds. Our research is grounded in a commitment to better work as the road to better lives, stronger communities and stable democratic institutions.
• Innovation and Digitalisation
  With a critical, interdisciplinary and reflexive approach, we research innovation and new digital technologies, taking social and political impact into account. Our research aims to inform both theory development and global policy and practice. Topics include innovation and advisory systems, international development, participatory approaches to innovation of smart cities, digital systems of knowledge production, sharing economy and collaborative consumption digital platforms, the governance and ethics of emerging technologies, as well as sustainable, social, and responsible innovation via digitalisation.
• Public Services Governance and Management
  Our research focuses on governance at all levels of institutions operating in the public sector, especially education and healthcare. We explore public sector management and how governance, management structures and issues of accountability affect organisational performance, including service quality, efficiency and user experience. We analyse public sector reforms and their implications across social class and resulting outcomes. We also investigate public sector reforms in relation to the changing role of professions and professional organisations.
• Global Political Economy
  Our research focuses on critical approaches to globalisation and the role of different firms, labour, regulators and the nation-state in the reproduction of capitalism. The theme brings together staff across disciplines such as economic sociology and geography, politics, migration and global studies. We explore the organisation of production and consumption, uneven economic development, labour mobilities and exploitation, financialisaton, super-rich capitalism and the internationalisation of knowledge-intensive organisations. We also research transnational corporations, workers and institutions.
• ARCIO (Action Research and Critical Inquiry in Organisations)
  ARCIO (Action Research and Critical Inquiry in Organisations) is an interdisciplinary research centre that brings together a network of scholars committed to researching in participative and/or capacity-building ways in organisations and communities. Our membership stretches across the social sciences and beyond, including an artist in residence and visiting professors.