Research
Faculty conduct cutting-edge research on domestic and international labour issues. We take interdisciplinary approaches to our research, drawing on theories and methodologies from across the Social Sciences, including Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Geography, Health and Aging, and Social Work.
We are also leaders in community-engaged scholarship, collaborating with unions, community organizations and policy-makers on research that will help make work better for everyone.
Ongoing Research Projects
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Ontario Workers, Workplaces and Families Learn More
Results from the 2020 survey of Ontarians on the impact that COVID-19 on their income security, employment, workplace experiences, housing and food security, and political views.
Labour OHCOW Academic Research Collaboration (LOARC) Learn More
Assessing the effectiveness of workers’ rights in safeguarding against workplace hazards. Recognizing the vital link between workers’ experiences, technical expertise, and research, they focused on promoting effective worker involvement in workplace health and safety.
Union Politics in the 21st Century Learn More
Systematic mapping and comparison of the strategies, tactics and framings of union campaigns to influence public policy to assess which approaches (or combination of approaches) are most successful.
Previous Research Projects
LGBTQ+ Livelihoods: Uneven Geographies of Work and Inclusion Learn More
Addressing the gap in understanding LGBTQ+ employment experiences in Canada, particularly in resource and manufacturing-based regions such as northern and southwestern Ontario, which had been overlooked in previous studies.
PEPSO Learn More
Exploring the research need for data on trends in precarious employment and to encourage policy debate and further research
Research Reports & Working Reports
Southern Ontario’s Basic Income Experience Learn More
A study of how Ontario’s 2018 basic income pilot affected individuals and families in Hamilton and Brantford. Co-authored by Mohammad Ferdosi (McMaster University), Tom McDowell (Ryerson University) Wayne Lewchuk (McMaster University), and Stephanie Ross (McMaster University).
Mapping the Void: Two-Spirit and LGBTIQ+ Experiences in Hamilton Learn More
A Research Partnership Among: McMaster University, The AIDS Network and Hamilton community researchers who identify as Two-Spirit and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer.
Language Barriers and Workers’ Compensation Access in Ontario and Quebec Learn More
Authors: Premji, Begum, Medley, MacEachen, Saunders
Language barriers and workers’ compensation access in Ontario and Quebec, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. It reports on a comparative study of Quebec and Ontario workers’ compensation systems that examined how policies and practices facilitate or hinder access for injured workers who experience language barriers.
Extreme Employment Precarity and Health Impacts Among South Asians in Toronto Learn More
Authors: Premji, Begum, Jahangir, Gnanayutham, McKinnon
Extreme employment precarity and health impacts among South Asians in Toronto, funded by an Ontario Multicultural Community Capacity grant. It describes experiences of extreme employment precarity and impacts on health and well-being among South Asians in Toronto based on stories shared in the context of focus groups and an information workshop developed by the team of researchers and advocates.
A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Challenges Related to Language Barriers in Return to Work Learn More
Authors: Premji, Begum, MacEachen, Medley
Funded by the WSIB the guide provides advice for stakeholders involved in the return to work process on how to identify and address challenges that arise in contexts of language barriers.
What To Do if You Get Injured or Ill from Work Learn More
Authors: Premji, Begum, MacEachen, Medley
This is a printable pamphlet funded by the WSIB has advice for injured workers who experience language barriers, and it is available in 7 languages.
Work, Inclusion and 2SLGBTQ+ people in Sudbury and Windsor Learn More
Authors: Mills, Owens, Guta, Lewis, Oswin
This report presents the findings of a two-year study of the experiences of a large and diverse sample of 2SLGBTQ+ workers in the mid-sized cities of Sudbury and Windsor to address these gaps. In partnership with the United Steelworkers Canada, Unifor and the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre.