Research in Transit: Good Jobs and Inclusion from San Francisco to Albuquerque
In April 2025, we travelled from Australia to San Francisco and Albuquerque, researching good jobs and inclusive hiring amidst political shifts under President Trump. San Francisco highlighted stark inequality, with luxury thriving alongside shuttered malls and visible poverty. Interviews revealed employers’ genuine commitment to good jobs but growing uncertainty around diversity policies. At Albuquerque’s conference, we shared insights into job quality, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation — a notable gap in UK policy. This research journey underscored both the progress and fragility of inclusive labour practices, shaping key insights we’ll present in our final report in October 2025.
How can businesses create better quality jobs?
A three-year research project led by Professor Jo Ingold and Dr. Qian Yi Lee at Australian Catholic University, with Professor Angela Knox from the University of Sydney, aims to develop employer-led solutions for sustainable employment of disadvantaged groups. Through Masterclasses, the study explores employers' motivations for hiring hidden talent, revealing a mix of business and social benefits, including enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion, and improved job satisfaction and retention. The project highlights the role of social procurement in driving job quality and creating community benefits.
