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.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

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: /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%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Asieh Hosseini Tabaghdehi - Dr Asieh Tabaghdehi is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Business Economy, and Programme Lead for the BSc International Business Programme and Trade2Grow Executive Education Programme at Brunel University of London, as well as, an economist and social impact advisor for the independent NGO, . Asieh is a well-recognised academic in digital transformation, focusing on the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to advance sustainable business practices and address critical social and economic challenges. From 2021 to 2022, Asieh co-investigated the , funded by the UK Research Institute (UKRI), that explored the ethical implications of digital footprint data on value creation for SMEs. One of the project outputs was the Digital Business Auditing Framework, which has been adopted internationally for smart city initiatives. Asieh has attained an international reputation in the field of ethical integration and deployment of AI, particularly in the contexts of smart data governance. Her research integrates industry collaboration, public engagement, and policy dialogue with an emphasis on the social and economic dimensions of responsible smart city development and innovative healthcare systems. Asieh’s contributions have been widely cited in academic, practitioner, and policy outputs, and her research has informed national and international governments and businesses. Her research on connected technology has been presented as both written and oral evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee at the request of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and has been featured in national and international press. She is widely published in academic peer-reviewed journals, the press, is a frequent speaker at academic and industry conferences, and has responded to a number of policy inquiries at national and international level. She is also the author of the book , which addresses multiple facets of the AI ecosystem, including data ethics, governance, and innovation. In collaboration with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Asieh co-designed the "Digital Adoption" module for the UK Government’s Help to Grow Management program, aimed at enhancing the digital capabilities of SMEs. Asieh is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, a member of the ESRC Review College, the British Academy of Management Review College, and the Energy Institute UK. She also serves as an associate practitioner at Social Value International, an associate member of the Big Innovation Centre, and All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)- Artificial Intelligence. She is also a member of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence: Social and Digital Innovation at Brunel University of London. Currently, Asieh serves as the Impact Lead at the Brunel Centre for AI, where she leads the capability area in the Future of Work. Asieh earned her PhD in Economics and Finance (2008) and MSc in International Money, Finance, and Investment (2015), both from 探花视频. She joined Brunel in 2020 after holding academic positions at Regent’s University London, where she also served as Director for the BSc Global Management (Finance Pathway). Prior to her academic career, she gained industry experience as a business analyst, further enriching her interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.