We research the reform of education, welfare and work with a particular focus on the political economy, and its tools, methods and explanatory frameworks.
We are concerned with the ways in which post-financial crisis government policies, labour market changes and socio-technological developments produce new social risks and vulnerabilities. We explore the range of political, public policy and social responses to these challenges and the options for better securing social justice.
Our research on widening participation in higher education helps to better understand the factors that promote participation from a broader range of students, and the policies and practices that enhance wider successful participation in higher education.
Working with the Made smarter innovation: Centre for people-led digitalisation, we also explore people-led policy solutions to enable the manufacturing sector to have right-first-time digitalisation.