Governance, organisations and society research

The Governance, Organisations, and Society research theme drives insights into the systems that shape organisations, economies, and communities.

Our research spans corporate and public governance, social values, and strategies in organisational studies, with a focus on sports governance and labour markets. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 8, 10, and 16, we work to create equitable societies, accountable institutions, and better work conditions.

We make an impact with our 5-Minute video podcast, seminars, and workshops through our affiliated research centres. Our members also influence the global landscape by serving on several international journal boards, engaging in major research networks, and preparing future leaders for meaningful change through our master's programmes.

Find an expert

Our academic staff: Luca Andriani, Daniele Archibugi, Ioanna Boulouta, Konstantinos Chalkias, Sara Chaudhry, Rebecca Gumbrell-McCormick, Sean Hamil, Sue Konzelman, Ashok Kumar, Arron Phillips, Giambattista Rossi, Richard Tacon, Horen Voskeritsian.

Related information

Become an MPhil/PhD student

Find out about applying, finding a supervisor, and the support available to undertake an MPhil/PhD in our school.

Associated teaching

Our research expertise is reflected in our course offerings in the fields of governance, organisations and society.

Attend an event

Our school and associated research centres run a variety of events relevant to our governance, organisations and society research theme.

RESEARCH impacts

5-Minute video podcast

5-Minute is a video podcast where Dr Luca Andriani interviews an expert guest on issues such as public affairs, business, economics, education, social and public life.

Governance, Institutions and Sustainability Seminar Series

We invite scholars, researchers and practitioners to enhance this very important debate and to join us in exploring the profound intertwining of these critical elements.

Sport Business Centre seminar series

The Birkbeck Sport Business Centre working paper series encourages novel research in sport business and management from an empirical and theoretical point of view.

5-Minute series: Social capital and sport organisations

Dr Richard Tacon explores what motivates people to make resources available to others is the feeling of being part of the same group.

Find out more about Dr Richard Tacon's work.

Research centres and affiliations

We are affiliated with the below research centres.

Our members also serve on the editorial boards of a number of journals: Annals of the Fondazione Luigi Einaudi, Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Contributions to Political Economy, Estudios Economicos, Historical Materialism, Strategic Organisation, Work Employment and Society, and Debate.

We also contribute to a variety of European and international platforms, including:

The British Academy of Management
The British University Industrial Relations Association
The Cambridge Political Economy Society
ECPR standing groups on citizenship and corruption
Greek Labour Market Research Network
Parrhesia Inc
The Progressive Economy Forum
The SOAS Centre for Palestinian Studies
Social Capital Working Group of International Initiative for Promoting Political Economy
Workers Participation-Europe Network of the European Trade Union Institute
World Interdisciplinary Network for Institutional Research.

Centre for Political Economy and Institutional Studies (CPEIS)

The Centre for Political Economy and Institutional Studies (CPEIS) is an interdepartmental research centre within Birkbeck that supports interdisciplinary research.

Birkbeck Sport Business Centre

Since 1999, members of the Centre have been actively involved in sport industry research, with a particular focus on governance and regulation.

Responsible Business Centre

We aim to develop and promote a better understanding of how various social and environmental issues affect businesses and how businesses can affect them.