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In January 2024, members of the Centre for Decent Work (CDW) paid a visit to the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), an interdisciplinary institute at the University of California, Berkeley. The Institute for Research on Labor and Employment connects world-class research with policy to improve workers’ lives, communities, and society. They promote a greater understanding of the conditions, policies and institutions which impact the well-being of workers and subsequently their families and communities.

This visit followed a previous CDW visit to IRLE in 2020 and was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, whilst fostering new relationships with IRLE members. During this visit, CDW members Valeria Insarauto and Katy Fox Hodess presented full research papers at staff and PhD student seminars. Valeria and Katy also joined their fellow CDW members Gabriella Cioce, Jason Heyes, Kirsty Newsome, Andrew Smith, Safak Tartanoglu Bennett and  Sally Wright in a further workshop. The group presented and discussed CDW’s developing research agendas on a) digital and environmental transitions, logistics and global supply chains and  b) precarious work and working time.

These developing research agendas are relevant to the interests of members of IRLE and will form the basis for continued conversations and future research collaborations. CDW members also expressed their gratitude to IRLE for organising a dinner, where they enjoyed further opportunities for informal discussions. The visit has helped to further develop CDW's relationship with IRLE and will hopefully pave the way for significant future research collaborations.

Jason Heyes, Director of the Centre for Decent Work, commented “The CDW delegation greatly enjoyed exchanging research insights and ideas with our IRLE colleagues. We are looking forward to developing these ideas and conversations into future research collaboration”

Thanks to all IRLE members, especially IRLE director Steven Rapahel and Labor Center Co-Chair Ken Jacobs for hosting and looking after our CDW members. Thanks also to CDW member Katy Fox Hodess for facilitating the visit.