On 15 April, colleagues from WISERD and the Cardiff Business School came together in sbarc | spark, to launch an exciting new publication for scholars and students of sociology, political science, employment studies, and business and management.
The Handbook on the Sociology of Work presents an overview of current research and thinking within the sociology of work. The contributors examine how the organisation and experience of work are shaped by the evolution of global capitalism, trends in political economy, and rapid technological developments.
The Handbook explores varied forms and experiences of work – from factory, informal, and agricultural work, to more recent developments like platform work, coworking, neo-craft work, and emotional labour.
Contributing authors also reflect on social inequalities in the workplace, interrogating the interplay between class, identity, race, gender, and age, and they address important policy issues, such as the climate crisis, digitisation and artificial intelligence, modern slavery, and the future of work. Each chapter critically evaluates core sociological concepts and theories while also identifying potential future research agendas.
Among the guests at the launch were some of the book’s co-authors, including WISERD Co-Director and Emerita Professor Jean Jenkins from Cardiff University, Dr Cara Reed, Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies at Cardiff University, and Dr Rachel Wilde, Associate Professor of Education, Practice and Society at University College London.
Some of the book editors also joined the launch, including Ödül Bozkurt, Professor of Work and Employment at University of Sussex Business School and Jonathan Preminger, Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations at Cardiff University.
Hannah Ross, assistant editor from Edward Elgar Publishing was also in attendance, with several copies of the new book for guests to peruse during the event.
Marco Hauptmeier, Professor of Work and Employment and Pro Dean for Doctoral Studies at Cardiff Business School, introduced the launch and emphasised the importance of the new Handbook as a vital resource for academics across a range of disciplines.
Cardiff University Emeritus Professor, Mike Reed, then gave an in-depth review of the book in which he explored each of the chapters, before leading into a question-and-answer session, and a discussion involving members of the audience.
Dr Jonathan Preminger, editor of the book, said: “I am delighted to be able to mark the publication of this volume! Such a collection of wonderful chapters deserves to be properly celebrated. With a big thank you to WISERD and MEO (Management, Employment and Organisation Section of the Cardiff Business School) for supporting this.”
Visit the Edward Elgar Publishing website to find out more and purchase the Handbook on the Sociology of Work.
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Cara Reed (chapter author), Prof. Marco Hauptmeier, Dr. Rachel Wilde (chapter author), Dr. Jonathan Preminger (editor), Prof. Mike Reed (reviewer), Emerita Prof. Jean Jenkins (chapter author), Prof. Ödül Bozkurt (editor).