Research in Transit: Good Jobs and Inclusion from San Francisco to Albuquerque
What we learned about work, policy, and inequality in the US during a moment of political change
From Australia to the US: setting the scene
In April 2025, we travelled from Australia to the United States to conduct employer interviews and attend the 8th
Qualitative Research Methods in Organizations conference. The trip gave us timely insights into social procurement and good work practices, especially given the return of President Trump and the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Before leaving, we’d heard about visitors facing extra scrutiny at US immigration. Following advice from the conference organisers, we packed printed return tickets, a letter of invitation, and our itinerary. Fortunately, we had no issues at the border.
San Francisco: empty malls, locked-up basics, and luxury on the rise
We started in San Francisco, where we spent six days conducting online interviews with construction employers in New York and Maryland. The interviews were strong, but so were the impressions left by the city itself.
We stayed in downtown San Francisco, and honestly, it was quite sad to see. The streets were quiet, with far fewer people than we expected, and many storefronts were empty. Several big retailers had already moved out, and Bloomingdale’s, once a symbol of aspirational middle-class shopping, was in the process of closing. Everything inside, including the fixtures, was for sale. The mall where it was located felt hollowed out, with only a handful of stores still open. In Target, we noticed even men’s socks were locked in cabinets.
Outside the mall, the contrast was stark. On the surrounding streets, we witnessed deep and visible destitution. Yet just a few blocks away, luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Gucci seemed to be thriving. AI-themed billboards and bus ads were everywhere. What we first assumed were air quality monitors turned out to be driverless cars. It was a strange juxtaposition: cutting-edge tech and luxury retail coexisting with shuttered stores and widespread hardship.
This backdrop shaped how we read the interviews. Employers spoke about creating good jobs and building stronger communities. But walking the streets brought a different kind of clarity. In a city so starkly split between poverty and wealth, decent work and genuine community investment felt both essential and urgent.
What employers are doing (and fearing)
Employers told us that partnerships matter. Trade unions were involved but often ran their own recruitment processes and candidate pools. Social procurement hiring targets acted more as guidance than obligation. Most employers worked on state-funded projects but often had to meet federal requirements, too. One example is the Davis-Bacon Act, which sets minimum wage standards on federally funded construction and is often written into state contracts.
These employers weren’t just ticking boxes to win contracts. Most showed a real commitment to opening opportunities for priority groups. At the same time, several raised concerns about the future of diversity and inclusion, especially for minority-owned businesses, including African American-led firms. States still have discretion, but the direction of travel is unclear. Employers are watching closely.
In Albuquerque: research, reflexivity, and what’s next
We then flew to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the conference led by Professor Ann Cunliffe, whose work has championed research rooted in lived experience, reflexivity and complexity. Her keynote challenged us to stay close to our data. We presented insights from our Australian employer masterclasses on job quality and employment services. The conference brought together researchers from the US, UK and Europe and sparked serious discussion. Several colleagues voiced concern about whether inclusion will remain a viable area of research under current political conditions.
While in Albuquerque, we visited an American Job Center. A staff member generously walked us through their approach. Compared to the UK and Australia, the US model seemed more integrated and clearly aligned with employer needs. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), funding supports both education and employment services. One element stood out: the strong role of vocational rehabilitation for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities. This is noticeably absent in current UK policy discussions around economic inactivity.
Looking ahead
As the Activating Employers project moves into its final phase, this trip gave us a clearer view of where good work is gaining ground and where it’s being rolled back. We’ll be sharing our findings in the lead-up to the final project report in October 2025.
