The future of work: Labour markets and the rise of gig economy platforms

We are offering a self-funded PhD position with the Brunel Business School, focusing on the impact of digital technologies on labour markets in the evolving digital economy.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions about the project or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please reach out to Dr Asieh Hosseini Tabaghdehi at asieh.hosseinitabaghdehi@brunel.ac.uk.

Project description

This research project investigates the evolving area of work in the digital economy, focusing on the shifting dynamics of labour markets, the rise of platform work, and the growing prominence of crowd working labour. As digital technologies continue to disrupt traditional business models and work structures, understanding these changes is critical for shaping future workforce policies, improving labour conditions, and ensuring the equitable distribution of economic opportunities. The project will explore how digital platforms are transforming employment patterns, the challenges faced by workers in the gig economy, and the role of emerging technologies in reshaping labour market dynamics.

Key focus areas

• Examining the Future of Work: Investigate the impact of digital technologies, such as AI, automation, and platform-based business models, on traditional labour markets and future employment structures.
• Labour Market Transformation: Explore how the shift towards platform work and crowdwork is changing employment contracts, worker rights, and economic sustainability, with a focus on both developed and emerging markets.
• Economic Value of Platform and Crowdwork: Analyse the economic contributions of gig and platform workers, including their role in global supply chains, local economies, and job creation in non-traditional sectors.
• Policy and Regulation: Assess the role of government policies, social safety nets, and legal frameworks in addressing the challenges faced by workers in digital economies, particularly concerning workers' rights, job security, and income equality.
• Technological Impact on Labour: Explore how AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies are shaping new forms of work, the gig economy, and remote collaboration, and how these shifts affect productivity, wages, and job satisfaction.

Expected outcomes

• Development of a comprehensive understanding of how digital economies, platform work, and crowd-work are transforming the future of work.
• Creation of actionable insights and policy recommendations for governments, businesses, and labour organisations to better support workers in the digital economy.
• Identification of best practices for ensuring fair and equitable treatment of platform and gig economy workers, particularly in terms of remuneration, benefits, and career advancement.
• A series of case studies and empirical data analyses on the experiences of workers in digital labour markets, highlighting challenges, opportunities, and innovative solutions.

Impact

This project aims to provide policymakers, businesses, and workers with a deeper understanding of the future of work in a digital economy. By focusing on the changing nature of labour markets and the emerging gig and platform work models, the research will help shape future workforce policies, guide economic planning, and ensure that digital transformation benefits workers across all sectors of the economy.

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.