Holly Smith

Holly Smith is a Research Fellow at the Work and Equalities Institute, part of The University of Manchester. She holds a PhD from the same university (2022) and an MA in International Labour from Ruskin College Oxford (2014).

Her research focuses on sociology of work, trade unions, workplace equalities, and labor movements. Current projects explore municipal socialism, trade union activism in local government, and collective action in creative industries. Her work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to labor rights and equality.

Recent research outputs highlight trends in platform economies, technological impacts on unions, and independent union dynamics. She actively contributes to policy discussions through media engagements and academic networks.

• Awards: Just Work Doctoral Studentship (2016), Outstanding MA Contribution (2014)
• Membership: British Universities Industrial Relations Association, Critical Labour Studies

Holly has presented at international conferences and authored works on topics such as worker representation in precarious industries and spatial changes in labor dynamics. Her research bridges theoretical labor studies with practical policy implications.