Futures of Work

In this episode, Samborne Bush and Bethan Bushell, two student researchers from the University of Bristol, explore St Philips Marsh in Bristol and talk to key figures in the upcoming changes in the area, including representatives from the city council.

This podcast is with Mark Williams, Ying Zhou and Min Zou as they discuss their new book Mapping Good Work: The Quality of Working Life Across the Occupational Structure.

In this podcast, David Farrugia talks about his new book 'Youth, Work and the Post-Fordist Self'.

Katie Bales speaks to anthropologist James Suzman about the future of work and his new book, 'Work: A History of How We Spend Our Time'.

This edition of the Futures of Work podcast is brought to you in conjunction with the journal Political Quarterly, Bristol Festival of Ideas, University of Bristol’s Thinking Futures programme and the Economic & Social Research Council's Festival of Social Science 2020.

The world has faced two major crises in 12 years. The aftershocks of the 2008 financial crisis are still being felt and the consequences of COVID-19 for economy and society will be with us for a long time. A series of utopian and dystopian visions of the futures of work and capitalism have sprung up alongside these crises, seeking to make sense of an age defined by technological shifts, populist upheaval, digital authoritarianism and global pandemic.

Following a recent special issue on “Postcapitalism and the Politics of Work”, Political Quarterly sponsored an event picking through these futures and debate their political implications on both the national and international stage. In the immediate wake of the US presidential election, we were joined by Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham and Rainham and author of The Dignity of Labour (forthcoming, Polity); Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan and Shadow Foreign Secretary; and Paul Mason, commentator and author of How to Stop Fascism (forthcoming, Penguin). The event was chaired by Futures of Work co-editor Harry Pitts.

Maud Perrier, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol, talks to Susan Ferguson about her book 'Women and Work: Feminism, Labour, and Social Reproduction'.

Harry Pitts speaks to Tim Strangleman, author of 'Voices of Guinness: An Oral History of the Park Royal Brewery'.

Harry Pitts speaks with Charles Umney, Associate Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Leeds, about his book, Class Matters: Inequality and Exploitation in 21st Century Britain.

Harry Pitts speaks to Lynne Pettinger about her book, 'What’s Wrong with Work?', published by Policy Press.

Huw Thomas speaks to Humphrey Lloyd, owner of Edible Futures, an urban farm in Bristol. They discuss organising a new economy, food sovereignty and what the future of work means to the food sector.