In November, Public Policy Southampton organised an event that brought work analysts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the University of Southampton to discuss their new Areas of Research Interest (ARIs). Co-Directors from Southampton’s Work Futures Research Centre shared their research on digital and professional skills for industry (Rebecca Taylor), creative work futures (Daniel Ashton), and flexible, remote, and hybrid working (Jane Parry).

Opened by the University’s Vice President of Engagement and International, Jane Falkingham, the ARI agenda was introduced by the Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of Central Analysis, Mike Jones. Cindy B. provided fascinating reflections on undertaking a secondment to DWP as part of her PhD. We then heard from a rich and diverse stream of work from colleagues at the University, which included sessions on pensions and later life research; work, health, and AI, as well as methods for researching work.

Professor Dan Ashton took the opportunity to share several of his projects that have utilised creative research methods. One of these, the Higher Education Academy-funded Creative Contexts, explored how undergraduates in media and creative subjects have used reflective films to share their placement experiences. Another, Unexpected Enterprises, funded by Enterprise Educators UK, involved a collaboration between students, educators, and entrepreneurs in creative and cultural fields to develop new resources to respond to the uncertain nature of creative work, which included remixing business plans and social media profiles. Finally, Dan introduced the Creative Work exhibition that he curated using a postcards methodology, which has led to outputs such as the Creativity and Policymaking Guide and this journal blog).

Rebecca Taylor’s presentation summarised collaborative research with the Software Sustainability Institute at Southampton. This focused on exploring a potential skills gap among UK graduates with advanced digital skills, which speaks directly to Skills England’s work in DWP.  The research uncovered how employers in large technology companies and public sector research bodies were largely happy with postgraduates’ digital skills, but that global tech employers were frustrated by what they saw as a lack of professional or soft skills such as teamworking, communication, and commercial awareness. Internships and placement schemes were seen as invaluable by both employers and graduates, but were not universally available, and were out of reach of SMEs who did not have the resources to support them.

Jane Parry reflected on three recent projects at the University that studied changes in working practices. The ERSR-funded Work After Lockdown had tracked organisations’ rapid adjustment to wholly remote and then hybrid working, uncovering a mindset shift about working preferences, with implications for HR and managerial practice. Research for Acas on post-pandemic working in different industries engaged with policy and practice changes around flexible work, how this was affecting strategic thinking, and offered value in addressing internal equity issues. Finally, research on young people and hybrid work has discovered that hidden health and neurodiversity differences are often overlooked in workspace design and management, creating vulnerabilities around well-being and productivity.

Joe Atkinson, who recently joined the WFRC, spoke about how algorithmic technologies are being used to undertake managerial functions throughout the employment lifecycle, from recruitment and work allocation through to evaluation and disciplinary matters. These new workplace technologies are creating challenges around health and safety, decent conditions, and worker voice. Joe’s presentation also considered the mechanisms and safeguards needed in order for the benefits of algorithmic management systems to be realised safely and in a manner that is compatible with workers’ rights.

The day provided space for valuable cross-disciplinary discussions about work policy and a rare opportunity for government and academics to work together to discuss the current and future challenges facing work communities.