The Institute for Employment Research is an interdisciplinary research institute in the Faculty of Social Sciences. It currently has a staff of 33, of whom two-thirds are academic researchers, including economists, geographers, sociologists and those specialising in the areas of education, learning and psychology. IER’s research deals with major issues of socio-economic behaviour and policy in their local, national and international setting: continuing problems of competitiveness; the re-emergence of high unemployment; persistent shortages of key skills; difficulties in fully integrating women into the labour market; population ageing and the labour market; work and wellbeing; the reform of initial and continuing education and training; work, poverty and social exclusion; and uncertainties about the impact of international economic developments.

The work of the IER covers a wide range of researchrelated activities: basic and strategic research; labour market forecasting, assessment and evaluation; household and employer surveys; cost-benefit analysis; technical assistance and policy advice. The Institute’s research regularly involves quantitative economic analysis using time series or large scale cross-sectional and longitudinal survey data; surveybased sociological research; and studies of socioeconomic behaviour based on in-depth interviews and case studies. It has considerable experience of knowledge exchange with the policy and practitioner communities.

Research Areas

Labour market assessment and forecasting

Research in this area focuses on: forecasting and projections, demand and supply trends, demographic change and ageing, migration, local and regional development, and diversity.

Employment relations and employer behaviour

This research area concentrates on work-life balance, working time, recruitment and retention, flexible working practices.

Economic restructuring, skills and the knowledge economy

This research area includes skill demand and supply trends, demographic change and ageing, diversity and the graduate labour market.

Guidance, learning and careers

Topics include careers guidance, learning at work, qualifications, higher skills development, changing careers and identities.

Work, welfare and public policy

Research includes the evaluation of government programmes, employment, unemployment and worklessness, social policy issues and debates.

Labour market classification and measurement

This research area examines occupational change, monitoring, and measurement.

International collaborative research

This area of research focuses on the comparative study of labour markets and their relationship with the education, learning and welfare systems.

New technology, innovation and skills

Research in this area covers topics including: technological and organisational innovation and workforce ageing; new technologies and changing places of employment; the role of ICT in labour migration and job-related mobility; learning, skills and the workplace; information, advice and guidance – the limits and potential of digital delivery in the careers field; innovations in education and training systems – the use of the evidence base in policy development; international contrasts in the role of ICT in job search and recruitment processes and ICT and employment change.

Research Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Standard Duration: 3 years full-time

The IER’s doctoral programme aims to train social science researchers who can develop and deploy theory effectively, appreciate the relative merits of different methodological approaches, choose appropriate empirical methods, manage their time well and other research resources, and have a wider understanding of the research process (including dissemination, funding, relationships with sponsors, and different organisational models for research).

• More information on the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Prospectus Entry

Related Links:

Institute for Employment Research Homepage

Postgraduate Research Study at the Institute for Employment Research

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