International and Interdisciplinary Workshop: 'The Worlds of Work: Crossed Perspectives from France and England'
Illustration: Mélanie Forné
Convened by Delphine Mercier (MFO)
The world of work is undergoing a profound transformation that mirrors broader changes in our society. This shift is evident not only in the rise of remote working, but also in the growing demand for domestic services, driven by an ageing population and the rapid expansion of digital technologies. As a result, we are witnessing the emergence of a new social structure that challenges the humanities and social sciences to rethink their approach to the study of work.
One of the most significant dimensions of this transformation is the evolving relationship between labour and the environmental crisis. While extractive and exploitative practices continue to dominate across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, there is a growing push toward models that integrate digital and green innovation, ecological transition, and social justice.
Inequality—particularly gender inequality—and the question of temporality are also central to current debates, underscoring the diversity and complexity of contemporary working environments.
This international seminar offers a comparative French-English perspective on these major shifts in the world of work, and explores how the social sciences are engaging with and interpreting these changes.
Programme:
Thursday 22nd May 2025
12:00-13:30 - Welcome Lunch for Guests
13:45 - Welcome and Opening: Juliet Carpenter, Sandrine Maljean-Dubois and Pascal Marty
Session 1: 14:00–17:00 - Work: Transformations, Disruptions, and Continuities
14:00 – 15:45: Chair and discussion: Jens Thoemmes
‘Worlds of Work: An Introduction’, Delphine Mercier
‘Young People's Relationship with Work’, Thierry Berthet
‘Participation at Work in Britain – Trends and Implications’, Duncan Gallie
15:45 – Break
16:00-17:00: Chair and discussion: Jérôme Gautié
Emergent Skill Changes Associated with Digital Technologies: Clarifying Boundary Conditions and Opening Up New Approaches, Damian Grimshaw
17:00 – Break
17:30 Documentary Film Screening in French with English subtitles ‘La Ferme des Bertrand’.
Directed by Gilles Perret and Marion Richoux, César Award for Best Documentary Film, 2025. Film screening followed by a discussion with Gilles Perret and Marion Richoux, moderated by Pascal Marty.
20:00 - Special Dinner for Guests
Friday 23rd May 2025
Session 2: 09:30-12:45 - Work and Time: Navigating the Digital Era
9:30-10:15: Chair and Discussion: Antoine Destemberg
'Health and Safety at Work. The Recent Contribution of Historical Research”, Judith Rainhorn
‘Working in the Public Sector compared with the Private Sector’, Odile Joint Lambert
10:15-11:15: Chair and Discussion: Michel Lallement
‘Varieties of Digital Ecosystem in Transition: Governance, Connectivity and Inclusion', Jacqueline O’Reilly
11:15 Break
11:30-12:45 Chair and Discussion: Valérie Boussard
‘The Many Futures of Work: the Example of Digital Transformation’, Chris Warhurst
12:45-14:00 – Lunch for Guests
Session 3 - 14:00-16:30 - The Future of Work: Insights from Social Science
Chair and Discussion: Thierry Berthet, Delphine Mercier and Eugenia Longo
"Work" in French Management Research: From Denial to Renewal, Eve Saint-Germes
‘Social Sciences and the Future of Work’, Isabelle Berrebi Hoffmann
‘Work, Freedom and Utopia’, Enrico Donaggio
Closure of Debates
