Maria Koumenta

Dr. Maria Koumenta is an Associate Professor (Reader) in Work and Labour Market Analysis at Queen Mary University of London's School of Business and Management, Department of People and Organisations. Her work focuses on labor economics, policy, and occupational regulation. She advises UK and international bodies like HM Treasury, the European Commission, and the OECD.

Education: PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE), with prior research at LSE's Centre for Economic Performance.

Research Interests: Labour market dynamics including pay inequality, gender/ethnic pay gaps, occupational regulation impacts, migration, and social mobility. Her expertise spans policy analysis, regulatory effects on skills, earnings, and employment, with a global focus on licensing and labor mobility.

Key Contributions: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and policy reports on occupational regulation's economic and social impacts. Notable work includes analyses of zero-hour contracts, migrant labor outcomes, and quality assurance in regulated professions.

Grants & Collaborations: Funded projects from UK government departments, the European Commission, and the World Bank. Serves on editorial boards of Work, Employment & Society and Industrial Relations Journal.

Advising: Current doctoral students researching topics like gig economy work, overtime in China, and career mobility. Completed PhD: Esther Arenas-Arroyo (2015).

Affiliations: Senior Research Fellow at West Virginia University’s Knee Centre for the Analysis of Occupational Regulation. Engaged in cross-continental policy dialogue through think tanks and academic partnerships.