As part of the Fairness at Work Conference 2027, Work-Net International will host a one-day workshop for early career researchers and doctoral students. The workshop will take place in person on Tuesday 19 January 2027 at the University of Manchester. The program will be divided into two parts. The morning session will adopt a critical friend format, providing participants with the opportunity to present and discuss their research in a supportive environment. Attendees will receive constructive feedback from established experts in their field, as well as from fellow PhD researchers and early career academics working on related topics. Participants will also be encouraged to engage critically with one another's work, helping to foster collaborative learning and intellectual exchange.
The afternoon program will consist of two consecutive workshops. The first session will focus on writing for different academic audiences and publication outlets, with guidance provided by experienced journal editors and established authors. This workshop will be particularly relevant for doctoral researchers seeking to develop their academic publishing skills. The second session will explore strategies for building a research profile, developing innovative research ideas, and securing research funding. This workshop will be especially beneficial for early career academics looking to establish and advance their research careers.
The day will conclude with a networking dinner, offering participants an opportunity to connect with peers, senior academics, and researchers from across the field. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to engage with a global network of emerging scholars, receive expert feedback on developing research, strengthen critical thinking skills, and build professional connections within the field of work and employment research.
The broad themes of the workshop will mirror those of the main Fairness at Work Conference, including:
Technological challenges to fair and decent work:
Artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation
Platform work and algorithmic management
Skills, training and workforce transitions
Productivity, innovation and job quality
Hybrid, remote and flexible work
Environmental challenges to healthy and sustainable work:
Climate change and labour markets
Just transitions and green jobs
Occupational health, safety and wellbeing
Sustainable work and organisational practices
Environmental inequalities and local/global transitions
Challenges to equality, fairness and representation at work
Socio-economic inequalities and equality, diversity and inclusion
Intersectionalities
Spatial inequalities and place-based initiatives
Worker voice, trade unions and collective bargaining
Employment regulation, labour standards and social protection
Human rights, employment rights and dignity at work
Please submit an abstract (limit 500 words) to register your interest by Friday 30 October. We will then be in touch to confirm your place. The deadline for the ‘full paper’ or any written work you intend to submit is Friday 8 January (no longer than 10,000 words – but please note, this does not need to be a finalised paper). Please submit via e-mail: fairwrc@manchester.ac.uk.
