About Us
Shaping a future of better and fairer work through the 4IR
The Institute for the Future of Work is an independent charity with a mission to shape a future in which work is better and fairer. We seek out the most pressing challenges - and seize opportunities - to (i) advance education into changes to the world of work and (ii) prevent and relieve in-work poverty through the Fourth Industrial Revolution (‘4IR’). Our organisation has grown out of the Future of Work Commission.
Through the lens of technology
Our 'entry point' to identify, examine and respond to Future of Work challenges is the 4IR: the implications of technology on work at an individual, firm and systems level. Our research indicates that new technologies are behind the most exciting opportunities - and challenging trends - which bear on work across the UK.
Collaborating for change
We believe that the 4IR should also be a revolution in policy. The speed and depth of transformation is outstripping the pace and creativity of traditional policy-making. So, working beyond the parameters of a traditional think tank, we are pioneering a collaborative method of social policy innovation to connect ideas and research with action. We connect a wide range of stakeholders, including people experiencing the problem we’re trying to solve. The human experience of change is at the centre of our work: we put people first.
Catalysing practical solutions that put people first
From the creation of an idea to its concrete application, we learn alongside people and communities to research, design and test high impact policies to catalyse change. Young people are embedded as change-makers through our work. With our partners and cross-disciplinary team, we support a people-first approach to transformation as we build practical solutions for modern industrial society.
Our objectives
Our Institute will:
Explore changes to the world of work focusing on the impact of technology
Identify key challenges to make workforce transition better and fairer
Connect people with different perspectives to enrich ideas and research
Solve problems by creating and piloting practical solutions with communities in transition
Engage policy-makers to share and scale solutions, making informed preparation for a Future of Work which benefits everyone
Our values
Cooperation. We value working cooperatively with those who share our mission. Collaboration improves our work and maximises our impact.
Inclusion. We include and empower people experiencing the problems we are trying to solve. Empowering people is central to our mission.
Ethics. We consider the broadest ethical implications of our work. We believe in leading by example.
Independence. We are politically neutral and work with actors across the political spectrum. We believe that building common ground will drive change.
Innovation. We use technology creatively to support our policy development and engagement. We believe that technology should complement human work.
Contact Us
For further information or to get in touch, please use the form below.