Our interdisciplinary research aims to pinpoint the causes of the stagnation in UK productivity.
We examine how the UK can develop and deploy skills more effectively – linking education, job design, worker voice and management practices to real improvements in productivity and job quality.
The People programme explores how the UK can build and use skills more effectively to drive productivity. We investigate the relationship between education, job design, management practices, and worker voice, and how these factors influence both individual and organisational performance.
Our research highlights the importance of addressing skill mismatches, where employer needs do not align with workforce capabilities, and examines trends in employer investment in training. We also study the impact of job complexity, employment security, and innovative learning approaches on productivity.
By analysing how different forms of worker representation and engagement affect outcomes, we provide insights into creating high-performing, adaptable workforces. Our work identifies the skills and strategies needed to thrive amid digitalisation, automation, and demographic change, ensuring the UK remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The Productivity Institute | Research Director
King's College London | Professor of Employment Studies
University of Manchester | Professor in Employment Studies