Karen Shire

Karen Shire is a Professor of Comparative Sociology and Japanese Society at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where she holds the Chair for Comparative Sociology and Japanese Society. She is also a member of the Institute of East Asian Studies and directs the Essen College for Gender Research. Her research focuses on the comparative-historical analysis of work, organizational changes, labor relations, and their impacts on social inequalities. Recent work examines cross-border labor markets in Europe and the Asia Pacific. Additional research interests include welfare market employment dynamics, gender regimes, and transnational labor regulation frameworks.

Shire's affiliations include leadership roles at the University of Duisburg-Essen's Sociology department and interdisciplinary institutes. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary global labor issues, emphasizing intersectional perspectives on inequality and transnational governance.