Projects

We lead and collaborate on a variety of projects, many funded by research councils, charitable foundations, and government departments. We use our knowledge and research expertise to conduct research that informs academic debates and addresses real-world challenges.

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International Labour and Logistics Research Network

An overhead view of cargo containers being loaded onto a cargo ship

The International Labour and Logistics Research Network seeks to identify and confront the complex challenges impacting workers in the global logistics industry, while simultaneously producing collaborative research advancing international workers’ rights, solidarity, and worker power.

More information about the International Labour and Logistics Research Network.

Staff involved: Professor Kirsty Newsome | Dr Katy Fox-Hodess

Combining Work and Care

Silhouette of person sitting on a bench with their head in their hands agains a pink sky and setting sun

The project will generate insights into sustainable care and wellbeing by comparing developments in the UK and other countries and working with Employers for Carers and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and international academic partners.

More information about Combining Work and Care.

Staff involved: Professor Jason Heyes

Young Workers Transitions in the UK Labour Market

A young adult working in hospitality.

The project investigates the ability of younger workers living in the UK to make successful transitions in the labour market and the barriers that might prevent them from making progress in their careers.

More information about this ESRC-funded project.

Staff involved: Professor Jason Heyes, Dr Edward Yates

Productivity of Outcomes of Workplace Practice, Engagement & Learning (PrOPEL)

An open plan work place with employees working on computers.

The PrOPEL Hub brings together leading academics from 7 institutions across the UK and the CIPD to explore workplace practices that deliver high quality, engaging work and and enhance business performance and productivity.

More information about Productivity of Outcomes of Workplace Practice, Engagement & Learning (PrOPEL).

Staff involved: Professor Paul Latreille

Managerial Competences, Engagement and Productivity

A manager having a meeting with her staff in an office environment

This ESRC-funded project will evaluate the impact of training interventions designed to equip line managers with conflict competence and other skills needed to foster positive relationships with those they manage.

More information about Managerial Competences, Engagement and Productivity.

Staff involved: Professor Paul Latreille, Professor Richard Saundry

The Productivity Insights Network

The Productivity Insights Network (PIN)

As a multi-disciplinary network of social science researchers engaged with public, private, and third sector partners, the aim is to change the tone of the productivity debate in theory and practice.

More information about The Productivity Insights Network.

Staff involved: Professor Kirtsy Newsome

UNISON-funded project on public sector employment and union organising

This research aims to support UNISON in understanding long-term workforce and management trends in public services, across the public, private and voluntary sectors of the UK economy.

More information about this UNISON-funded project.

Staff involved: Dr Katy Fox-Hodess, Dr Gregoris Ioannou, Dr Andrew Smith

The Growth of Non-Standard Work and Productivity Outcomes

This project is funded by a Pioneer Award from the ESRC Productivity Insights Network. Kirsty Newsome and Ed Yates are co-investigators on this research project, which is led by colleagues at the University of Leicester. The research explores the productivity puzzle in the context of fast-rising employment levels since 2012 and the significant growth of non-standard, insecure work in the UK. It aims to uncover the workplace practices and labour market conditions that may be inhibiting the return to a higher productivity trajectory. The project will illuminate the relationship between the growth of non-standard contracts – zero hours, temporary and `bogus’ self-employment – and workplace practices that may be inimical to productivity gains.

Staff involved: Professor Kirsty Newsome, Dr Ed Yates

Tackling the undeclared economy in the West Balkans

Professor Colin Williams has been appointed to advise six countries in the West Balkans on their strategies for tackling undeclared work, to aid their accession to the European Union from 2025 (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). Working with the Regional Cooperation Council and ILO, the objective is to align the strategies towards tackling informal employment in these six countries with the approaches being adopted in the European Union’s European Platform Tackling Undeclared Work. This will facilitate their smooth accession to the EU.

Staff involved: Professor Colin Williams

Other projects involving members of CDW include:

  • Developing indicators for Effective Labour Administration. Jason Heyes
  • An examination of the local economic governance strategies of UK cities and how they impact local labour market outcomes. Edward Yates.
  • An exploration of the labour market conditions for young workers in the UK in the post-crisis austerity period. Edward Yates.
  • Trade Union Internationalism in Latin America: A Study of the International Dockworkers' Council. Katy Fox-Hodess.
  • Political Solidarity on the Docks: A Cross-National Study of Dockworker Solidarity with Palestine. Katy Fox-Hodess.
  • An evaluation of Effective Conflict Resolution Skills training at an NHS Foundation Trust. Paul Latreille (with R. Saundry)
  • An exploration of disability and employment in the public sector in Australia and the UK. Paul Latreille, Pauline Dibben and Nik Bakalov.
  • The impact of technology on logistics workers: A comparative study. Kirsty Newsome

Recently completed research and consultancy projects involving CDW members include: