How can international organisations, researchers and policymakers respond to the changing world of work?
This question brought representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank to Durham University Business School on 14 September 2026.
They joined Durham academics to explore the challenges shaping global business and labour markets.
The event, "Global Business and Labour Market Policy in Flux: the ILO, the World Bank, and the UK", was organised by Professor Bernd Brandl from Durham University Business School and Professor Deirdre McCann from Durham Law School. It was supported by the Business School Policy Hub.
Bringing global expertise together
The panel featured Dr Sangheon Lee, Chief Economist at the ILO, Dr Valeria Perotti from the World Bank Group, and Professor Simon Deakin from the University of Cambridge.
They joined Durham colleagues, including Professor Rudolf R. Sinkovics and Executive Dean of Durham University Business School, Professor Kieran Fernandes, alongside the event organisers.
Together, they explored the challenges facing businesses, workers and policymakers in a rapidly changing global environment.
The discussion highlighted how research across different disciplines can help address complex economic and social issues.
Staff and students from across the University also attended.
Their involvement created opportunities to exchange ideas and connect expertise from across Durham and beyond.
From discussion to future collaboration
The event contributed to a special issue edited by Professor McCann of the European Journal of Industrial Relations, a leading journal in comparative industrial relations of which Professor Brandl is the Editor.
It also looks set to strengthen international collaboration.
Dr Lee indicated that a follow-up event would take place at the ILO's headquarters in Geneva in 2027, extending the discussion beyond Durham.
Professor Bernd Brandl said: "Bringing together international organisations and researchers creates valuable opportunities to examine global labour market challenges from different perspectives. We hope this discussion will help build lasting collaborations and support research that informs policy and practice."
The event highlighted the value of collaboration between Durham University Business School and Durham Law School.
By connecting academic expertise with international organisations, this work can help inform policy discussions and support research with real-world impact.
