Rafael Gomez

Rafael Gomez is a Professor of Employment Relations at the University of Toronto and Director of the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. He holds a BA from York University and MA/PhD from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on unions' impact on executive pay, workplace democracy, and local economic development. He previously served as a Senior Lecturer at the London School of Economics and has lectured globally. Notable awards include the 2005 John T. Dunlop Outstanding Scholar Award. His books include The Little Black Book for Managers (2013) and Small Business and the City (2015).

Education:

• BA in Economics and Political Science (York University)
• MA in Economics (University of Toronto)
• PhD in Industrial Relations (University of Toronto)

Research Interests:

Prof. Gomez examines union effects on CEO compensation, non-union workplace voice mechanisms, and demographic shifts in labor markets. He advocates for policies promoting equitable economic development and democratic engagement in workplaces. His work bridges theory and practice, with global case studies in countries like Spain, Russia, and Switzerland.

Key Contributions:

• Authored influential books on management and urban entrepreneurship
• Developed frameworks for evaluating pandemic-era income support programs
• Pioneered cross-country comparative studies of employment relations

Grants & Labs:

His research has been supported by international grants, and he collaborates with global institutions on labor market policy initiatives. Directs the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, a hub for workplace democracy research.