Policy Press

The future of work, finance and the economy

The future of work and the availability of sustainable jobs are key global social challenges.

Addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, our list provides in-depth research into topics from the role of trade unions in the 21st century to the impact of AI and machine learning. Key series in this area include Feminist Perspectives on Work and Organization and Organizations and Activism.

We are proud to support Futures of Work, an online space for radical critiques of the changing world of work. Edited by Harry Pitts, Katie Bales and Huw Thomas, Futures of Work is a free-to-access magazine that connects academic and public commentators in order to discuss the pressing issues of our time.

Bristol University Press and Policy Press are signed up to the UN SDG Publishers Compact. In The future of work and the economy, we aim to address the following goals:

SDG Publishers compact logoSDG 8: Decent work and economic growthSDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Showing 25-36 of 123 items.

Environmental Justice, Popular Struggle and Community Development

This book examines the dynamics of agency and solidarity in the ways in which community, development and environment interact in the pursuit of environmental justice.

Policy Press

The EU Migrant Generation in Asia

Middle-Class Aspirations in Asian Global Cities

Drawing on a comparative study with individuals who migrated to Singapore and Tokyo in 2010s, this book demonstrates how migration to Asian business centres has become an alternative to a middle-class life in Europe and how the perceived insecurities of life in the crisis-ridden EU result in these migrants’ prolonged stay in Asia.

Bristol Uni Press

Exiting the Factory (Volume 1)

Strikes and Class Formation beyond the Industrial Sector

Drawing on case studies from Germany, Britain and Spain, this book offers a novel assessment of labour struggles and class formation. Gallas explores key issues around class relations, struggles around waged and unwaged work and labour movements in contemporary capitalism to bring class theory back to labour studies.

Bristol Uni Press
  • ForthcomingHardbackGBP 80.00 Pre-order
  • Currently not availableEPUBGBP 27.99

Exiting the Factory (Volume 2)

Strikes and Class Formation beyond the Industrial Sector

Drawing on case studies from Germany, Britain and Spain, this book offers a novel assessment of post-industrial action. Gallas explores key issues around union activities, class relations and struggles around unwaged work and brings class theory back to labour studies with a class-sensitive analysis of capitalism.

Bristol Uni Press
  • ForthcomingHardbackGBP 85.00 Pre-order
  • Currently not availableEPUBGBP 29.99

Exploring Trade Union Identities

Union Identity, Niche Identity and the Problem of Organizing the Unorganized

The world of work has changed and so have trade unions, with mergers, rebrandings and new unions being formed, but the question is, how fitted are the unions to organize the unorganized? This engaging new book by Bob Smale explores the complex identities projected by contemporary trade unions and asks critical question for the future.

Bristol Uni Press

Extinction Equilibrium

Economics for Generational Survival

The past two decades have seen a global financial crisis, increasing levels of inequality, a pandemic and the intensification of the climate emergency. As debate rages about how to ensure a fairer society, this book asks where we want to be in 20 years’ time and how we might get there.

Bristol Uni Press
  • ForthcomingPaperbackGBP 27.99 Pre-order
  • ForthcomingHardbackGBP 80.00 Pre-order
  • Currently not availableEPUBGBP 27.99

Faces of Precarity

Critical Perspectives on Work, Subjectivities and Struggles

The word ‘precarity’ is widely used when discussing work, employment or social classes. However, there is no consensus on the precise meaning of the term or how it should best be used to explore social changes. This international and interdisciplinary book offers a distinctive and critical perspective approach to an important topic.

Bristol Uni Press

Fake Goods, Real money

The Counterfeiting Business and its Financial Management

The books examines the financial and business structures of the counterfeiting business and considers how the internet and e-commerce present financial opportunities for counterfeiters. It explores ‘organised crime’ and criminal markets, digital technologies and cultural values and practices.

Policy Press

Feminism in Public Debt

A Human Rights Approach

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC-ND licence digitally

This book explores the link between government debt and women's rights. Experts highlight how economic policies worsen gender inequalities and propose a feminist approach to debt issues. It is an essential resource for comprehending the intricate connection between economics and gender.

Bristol Uni Press

Finance for Housing

An Introduction

In this much-needed text, current housing finance issues (and their history) are linked with broader social policy and political themes. It covers the finance of building and refurbishment, managing and maintaining property for all the different tenures and discusses whether current arrangements are sustainable.

Policy Press

Financial Inclusion

Critique and Alternatives

Rajiv Prabhakar brings together the typically exclusive views of supporters and critics to present a nuanced, critical analysis of ‘financial inclusion’. Addressing issues including the ‘poverty premium’, financial capability and housing, this dialogue advances crucial public, academic and policy debates and proposes alternative paths forward.

Policy Press

The Flexibility Paradox

Why Flexible Working Leads to (Self-)Exploitation

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible working has become the norm for many workers. This volume examines flexible working using data from 30 European countries and drawing on studies conducted in Australia, the US and India

Policy Press


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Launching in 2021: Work in the Global Economy is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal that promotes understanding of work, and connections to work, in all forms and dimensions.
Join the mailing for the latest news from Work in the Global Economy

Journal of Poverty and Social Justice

Special Issue 27.2 Self-employment and social protection in Europe. [Free to Access]
Guest edited by Kevin Caraher and Enrico Reuter

Longitudinal and Life Course Studies

Special Issue 10.2 The Impact of the Great Recession on Younger Workers.
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European Journal of Politics and Gender

Gendering welfare state analysis: tensions between care and paid work [Free to Access]
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Critical and Radical Social Work

Entering precarious job markets in the era of austerity measures: the perceptions of Master of Social Work students
Authors: Karki, Karun Kishor; Chi, Monica; Gokani, Ravi; Grosset, Cara; Vasic, Jennifer; Kumsa, Martha Kuwee

Global Discourse

Mothers do not make good workers: the role of work/life balance policies in reinforcing gendered stereotypes
Author: Hampson, Sarah Cote

Families, Relationships and Societies

Working it out: strategies to reconcile work and family among Swedish lone mothers [Free to Access]
Author: Alsarve, Jenny

International Journal of Care and Caring

Learning to care: work experiences and identity formation among African immigrant care workers in the US
Author: Showers, Fumilayo

Policy & Politics

Who cares? The social care sector and the future of youth employment
Authors: Montgomery, Tom; Mazzei, Micaela; Baglioni, Simone; Sinclair, Stephen