Mathew Johnson

Mathew Johnson is a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on labor market policies, precarious work, platform economies, and urban labor governance. He leads the 'Decent Work and the City' project (2020-2024), exploring labor standards in urban contexts. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through the Work and Equalities Institute and Healthier Futures initiatives.

Johnson's research examines issues like minimum wage advocacy, trade union strategies, and the impact of digital platforms on worker autonomy. He has published widely on topics such as unpaid labor dynamics, inclusive welfare systems, and policy experimentation in regional labor markets. His recent work critiques platform capital's governance in cities like Buenos Aires and Manchester, highlighting regulatory challenges.

He has collaborated on impactful projects, including the UNISON 'ethical care' campaign for outsourced public services and analyses of precarious work in global supply chains. His findings have influenced labor policy debates in the UK and Europe, emphasizing institutional innovation and worker empowerment. Johnson frequently engages with media and civil society to promote equitable employment practices.

Key affiliations include the University’s PMO Human Resource Management unit and the Work and Equalities Institute. His academic activities include organizing conferences, delivering invited talks on decent work, and reviewing books on labor studies. Johnson is actively supervising PhD students and mentoring early-career researchers in labor policy and employment relations.