At CBISS, we are proud to celebrate the recent contributions of our member and them lead Eleni Papagiannaki to the Good Work Monitor Time Series – an ambitious and impactful project led by the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW). This work sits at the intersection of policy, data, and human-centred innovation, offering vital insights into how good work—and access to it—shapes social and economic resilience across the UK.
Why Good Work Matters More Than Ever
Access to good work is not just about employment. It’s about dignity, fair pay, supportive conditions, personal autonomy, and opportunities for growth. As Eleni and the IFOW team highlight, good work offers a vital buffer against social, health, and economic shocks—and equips communities to adapt to disruptive forces like AI and automation.
While UK employment levels remain relatively steady according to the latest ONS data, the quality of work varies significantly across the country. Through longitudinal analysis from 2009 to 2024, the Good Work Monitor paints a clear picture: geographic inequalities are widening, and the polarising effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and technological change risk becoming entrenched.
Key Insights from the Monitor
Eleni’s work on this project has helped bring attention to some crucial findings:
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Regional Disparities Persist: Areas like London continue to show high professional job concentration and median pay—but also signs of work intensification and poor work-life balance. In contrast, Scotland appears to offer a more balanced picture, with weaker links between pay and unsatisfactory hours.
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Technology’s Uneven Impact: Rather than bridging gaps, accelerated tech adoption may have worsened regional inequalities, benefiting already high-performing areas and leaving others behind. This raises questions about how AI and automation can be harnessed to create—not destroy—equitable opportunities.
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Pay and Productivity Challenges: Real wages remain low across many regions when adjusted for cost of living. At the same time, productivity growth is highly concentrated in the South East, raising concerns about unequal innovation spillovers from the so-called “golden triangle”.
From Data to Action: Policy Recommendations
What sets this work apart is not just the diagnosis of the problem, but the practical pathways it suggests:
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Better Metrics for Better Policy: The Good Work Monitor and the Disruption Index should form the foundation of a more consistent, evidence-based approach to good work, productivity, and technological change—across all UK nations and regions.
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Place-Based Investment Strategies: Funding for skills and jobs must be targeted where they are most needed, and local authorities should be empowered with better data to design tailored responses.
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Recentring Growth on Human Capabilities: Rather than focusing solely on technological capability, the Industrial Strategy should place greater emphasis on human values, agency, and job quality—ensuring that innovation and inclusivity go hand-in-hand.
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Learning from Scotland and Beyond: The strong performance of Scotland in the Monitor offers lessons for how joined-up policy approaches can create more resilient regional economies. In contrast, policy in England and Wales should work towards more coherent skills and capabilities frameworks that prioritise long-term access to good work.
CBISS and the Future of Work
At CBISS, we believe in research that informs real-world change. Eleni’s work exemplifies our mission—connecting data, policy, and innovation to address urgent societal challenges. Her contribution to the Good Work Monitor supports a broader vision: one where future work is shaped by fairness, sustainability, and the active inclusion of all communities in technological progress.
We look forward to continuing this conversation—and to working with researchers, policymakers, and communities to shape a future of work that leaves no one behind.
Explore the Interactive Good Work Monitor: access here