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The future of work, finance and the economy

The local bobby: How police and crime commissioners failed local policing
by John Bahadur Lamb  |  12th January 2026

John Bahadur Lamb, co-editor of '50 Facts Everyone Should Know About the Police', argues that nostalgic, place-based local policing in England and Wales has been eroded over time and that Police and Crime Commissioners have failed to restore it, adding cost and politicisation without rebuilding public trust.…Read more

Pensions and a fair future for care workers
by Duncan U Fisher and Liam Foster  |  9th January 2026

The article argues that improving pensions is essential if reforms to adult social care work are to genuinely address inequality, retention and job quality.…Read more

The stories that defined 2025
by Bristol University Press and Policy Press  |  23rd December 2025

From Bristol University Press and Policy Press, Transforming Society shares the powerful stories rooted in our research, showing how ideas can shape a fairer, better society.…Read more

Our top 10 most listened to podcast episodes in 2025
by Bristol University Press and Policy Press  |  22nd December 2025

This year on the Transforming Society podcast, we’ve highlighted the stories behind research that tackles society’s biggest challenges and sparks meaningful change.…Read more

PODCAST: Growing up and older at work
by Kathleen Riach  |  11th December 2025

In this Transforming Business podcast, Martin Parker speaks with Kathleen Riach about her groundbreaking 10-year longitudinal study that offers fresh theoretical and empirical insights into how ageing is experienced in the workplace.…Read more

The hidden harm in HR disciplinary processes
by Andrew Cooper and Adrian Neal  |  8th December 2025

Andrew Cooper and Adrian Neal, editors of Under Investigation, argue that poorly handled and under-examined employee disciplinary investigations are causing serious professional, psychological and societal harm in the UK, and that much of this harm could be avoided through more informal, compassionate HR practices.…Read more

Ten post-Budget takeaways for high earners (£68K+)
by Gerry Mitchell  |  27th November 2025

Gerry Mitchell, co-author of 'Uncomfortably Off', argues that political timidity and a broken fiscal system have produced deep inequality and failing public services, leaving even high earners feeling squeezed and showing that only bold, systemic reform.…Read more

Are we budgeting for equality – or missing the mark?
by Lee Gregory, Dave Beck and Vanessa Boon  |  24th November 2025

Academics Stand Against Poverty argue that a budget guided by the socioeconomic duty would harness existing data to assess the inequality impacts of government decisions, ensuring policies actively reduce rather than worsen socioeconomic disadvantage.…Read more

30 years of failure: COP needs radical reform or replacement
by Andy Brookes and Matthijs Bal  |  13th November 2025

After 30 years of UN climate summits, global warming has only worsened — revealing the urgent need for radical reform of the COP process and a complete transformation of our societal values.…Read more

PODCAST: When HR hurts: Why workplace discipline needs a rethink
by Andrew Cooper and Adrian Neal  |  11th November 2025

In this episode of our Transforming Business podcast series with Martin Parker, Andrew Cooper and Adrian Neal discuss the issues with HR investigations.…Read more