Research and Innovation

Dr Felix Schulz speaks to Professor Melanie Laroche and Jonathan Michaud from the University of Montreal about how the concept of just transitions is understood and implemented in Quebec, Canada. In the episode, they cover the province's unique industrial relations system, proactive and reactive union strategies for addressing the climate crisis, and challenges in equipping union representatives w...

Professor Nick Williams speaks to Dr Lee Wainwright about Lee’s research on how restorative entrepreneurship can empower marginalised individuals to reclaim social and economic standing. They discuss ableist workplace norms, the parallels between societal treatment of disabled individuals and other marginalised groups, and recommendations for creating a more inclusive workplace.  This episode...

Drs Lauren Machon and Helen Hughes talk about the behaviour lab at Leeds University Business School, and how it can help organisations solve real-world challenges. In this episode, they discuss how the Behaviour Lab can be used by companies to test consumer reactions, optimise workplace design, and refine communication strategies using eye-tracking, virtual reality, and other state-of-the-art tool...

In this episode, Addi Manolopoulou speaks to Dr Costas Lambrinoudakis and Elliot (Zhengfa) Zhang about their recent paper – The Impact of Social Media Influencers on the Financial Market Performance of Firms. They discuss high-profile cases, including Rihanna and Kylie Jenner, and examine whether other social media stars have the power to influence stock prices.   This episode was record...

In this episode, Drs Bianca Orsi, Peter Hughes and Juliane Scheffel talk about their project “WISE - Women into Studying Economics” - a research project that is tackling the gender imbalance in economics. They discuss why so few women choose to study economics, the stereotypes that discourage them, and the impact a lack of diversity in the field has on policy and society. Through school visits and...

David Loseby, Visiting Professor of Research Impact at Leeds University Business School, interviews Frank Lee, Chief Executive Officer at the Institute for Collaborative Working , asking what makes a great partner, and how value can be created through collaboration.  Both David and Frank spoke at the “Ideas in Practice: Supply Chain Summit 2024”, which was co-hosted by Leeds University Busine...

Digital transformation is a game changer for businesses and economies. But SMEs, which play a major economic role, lag behind larger firms in developing digital capabilities. In this episode, Drs Alex Kevill, Mariana Estrada-Robles (Leeds University Business School) and Selen Kars-Unluoglu (University of the West of England), discuss how digital transformation is not solely a technical challenge,...

Dr Ziko Konwar is joined by Dr Christopher Hassall and Professor Ulf Andersson to discuss the intricate linkages between biodiversity and business strategies, with an emphasis on operations of multinational enterprises. As part of the conversation, they explore questions such as how can businesses co-create value when it comes to preserving biological resources and mitigating the pace of biodivers...

Professor Aristeidis Theotokis speaks to special guest, Rashik Parmar, MBE, about AI and the implications it could have on both business and society as a whole. In the episode, they discuss AI’s potential and limitations; people’s perceptions of AI; who the winners and losers are when it comes to creating value from AI; and what the biggest risks are when it comes to AI.  Both Aristeidis and...

Dr Jo Cutter speaks to Hunter Moskowitz and Dr Mijin Cha from UC Santa Cruz about their case study, exploring the key themes in just transition in the US. The team discuss the roles of unions, coalitions, and policy priorities.  This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivitäten im internationalen Vergleich 2021-582-2. Visit the project webpage .  This p...

Drs Gabriella Alberti and Jo Cutter are joined by Caroline Keohane and Tanya Barringer from the Food and Drink Federation to discuss how the workforce in the UK food and drink sector has been affected since the end of the free movement of labour from the EU, and other subsequent crises.  This episode has been recorded as part of the Labour Mobility in Transition (LIMITS) project, funded by th...

Professor Vera Trappmann, Dr Janina Myrczik and Dr Justyna Kajta discuss their paper - “Becoming a young radical right activist, biographical pathways of the members of radical right organizations in Poland and Germany”.  Read the paper here . “Becoming a young radical right activist, biographical pathways of the members of radical right organizations in Poland and Germany.”, Current Sociolog...

Dr Olga Ustyuzhantseva speaks to Mattia Dessì about Russia’s energy situation and the state's views on it; the ecological impact of coal in Russia; and the role of the labour movement in Russia's coal industry. This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivitäten im internationalen Vergleich 2021-582-2. Visit the project webpage.  business.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/d...

Dr Jo Cutter is joined by Sam Perry, Green Bargaining Officer for Yorkshire and the Humber Trades Union Congress (TUC) to discuss the work the TUC is doing in the region to support a Just Transition for workers.  This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivitäten im internationalen Vergleich 2021-582-2.   Visit the project webpage .  This podca...

Lena Jaspersen and Tony Morgan talk about their pedagogical research on the development of employability skills in students engaged in challenge-based learning in diverse teams. Drawing on assignments produced for their own module “Innovation, Thinking and Practice”, Tony and Lena analysed reflective diaries that the students wrote throughout the module. Findings provided useful insights into how...

Mattia Dessì speaks to Dr Alexander Beresford about their South African research as part of the project looking at just transitions across the globe. They discuss factors affecting just transition in South Africa, including how international partners fit into the domestic debates, the political sphere, and the role of the ruling elite.  This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation –...

Dr Peter Gittins and Dr Deema Refai discuss their research on constrained rural entrepreneurship. They talk about the constraints and opportunities farmers are facing post-Brexit, and also discuss how other entrepreneurs work within constraints to achieve positive changes.  This podcast episode was recorded remotely in November 2023. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, p...

In this latest episode of the “Just Transitions - a Global Exploration” series, Professor Vera Trappmann and Dr Felix Schulz discuss German workers’ perception of the climate crisis, and the role of policy in transitioning to a greener economy.  This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivitäten im internationalen Vergleich 2021-582-2. The Competence Centre m...

In this episode of the “Just Transitions - a Global Exploration” series, Professor Vera Trappmann speaks to Dr Ursula Balderson about the Foundation Industries: how they can transition to Net Zero, how the energy crisis has affected the industry, and what the government is (or isn’t) doing to support the transition. This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivität...

Dr Lilith Brouwers asks Dr Abbie Winton about Abbie’s research on the impact of technology on labour in food retail. They discuss how technology is influenced by society, the economy, politics, culture, and pre-existing technologies, and how all these different aspects affect the future of work in retail – not just new technology in isolation. They also discuss how understanding historical context...

Dr Jack Daly speaks to Dr Lilith Brouwers about their recent report on sex workers’ experiences of management and other third parties. Lilith gives an overview of the legal status of sex work and third parties in England, which third parties exist in sex work, why sex workers choose to work with or without third parties, and what kind of changes sex workers want to improve their relationships with...

Dr Matthew Davis speaks to Afshan Iqbal about Afshan’s research on technostress and the impact it has on remote and hybrid workers. They discuss what technostress is, the effect it can have on workflow and work-family conflict, and coping mechanisms for how to deal with it.  A summary of Afshan’s research on technostress is available.   This podcast episode was recorded remotely in July...

In this episode of the “Just Transitions - a Global Exploration” podcast, Ursula Balderson and Aleksander Szpor – members of the project team – discuss the role of the European Union in Just Transition policymaking and action in Poland.  This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivitäten im internationalen Vergleich 2021-582-2.  Visit the project webpage...

Professor Annina Kaltenbrunner is joined by Dr Bianca Orsi and Dr Sophia Kuehnlenz to discuss Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and whether CBDCs alone are enough to change the hierarchical nature of the international monetary system. The team also talk about what effect CBDCs could have on the US dollar.  Read the journal article .  This podcast episode was recorded remotely in Ma...

How do we bridge the gap between textile workers and consumers? And how can we encourage responsible production and responsible consumption? Dr Mark Sumner (University of Leeds), is joined by his colleagues, Dr Divya Singhal (Goa Institute of Management, India) and Dr Bethan Bide (University of Leeds), to discuss their latest project - “Cotton hidden voices: stories from the makers of your clothes...