Colette Fagan

Colette Fagan is a Professor of Sociology and Vice-President for Research at The University of Manchester. She holds leadership roles in interdisciplinary research initiatives and has served in prominent academic and policy advisory capacities across Europe and globally. Her work focuses on gender relations, working conditions, and comparative analyses of employment systems.

Education & Career: Joined Manchester as a Sociology Lecturer in 1998. Prior roles include positions at the University of Liverpool, UMIST, and the UK’s Equal Opportunities Commission. Earned a part-time PhD at Manchester starting in 1990.

Research Interests: Specializes in work and employment dynamics, gender inequalities in workplaces and domestic life, international comparisons of labor markets, and policy evaluation. Key themes include job quality, work-life balance, and institutional configurations influencing gender equity.

Awards & Recognition: Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2017) for contributions to gender equality research and policy impact. Her work has shaped EU employment policies and international frameworks through collaboration with the ILO, OECD, and European Parliament.

Advisory Roles & Grants: Advised governments, unions, and international bodies on labor and gender policies. Secured funding from ESRC, EU frameworks, and national grants. Leads projects like the Work and Equalities Institute and interdisciplinary collaborations on father involvement and childcare policies.

Labs/Teams: Co-leads the Work and Equalities Institute, focusing on gender, work, and care. Supervises postgraduate researchers and mentors early-career academics.