In the Horizon Europe project Paths2Include, researchers will study different forms of discrimination in working life and explore new risk factors in the future labour markets across Europe.
"We hope to be able to provide new knowledge about the multi-dimensional aspects of discrimination and which political frameworks or measures can contribute to a more inclusive working life," says project leader Elisabeth Ugreninov.
The importance of gender
The researchers will shed light on various aspects of discrimination in working life.
"Gender will be at the heart of the project. This means that we will study labour market participation at the intersection of gender, ethnicity and care responsibilities, health and family situation, education and age. We will explore whether and in which way these factors affect discrimination or provide opportunities in working life," says the project's impact co-manager Justyna Bell.
The project started on 1 March this year and will run for three years. Paths2Include is a collaboration between partners from seven European countries (Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Romania and Luxembourg).
Recruitment, career path and retirement
The researchers will bring attention to the importance of how the relationship between various factors affect vulnerability within three key labour-market processes: recruitment; career paths; and early exit from working life. They will also consider risk factors in the labour markets of the future.
Collection of data
A factorial survey experiment (using vignettes) and qualitative interviews with employers will be conducted to gain a better understanding of why and in what contexts discrimination occurs, and how inclusive practices can be developed.
The researchers will also use available datasets to conduct comparative quantitative analyses to shed light on conditions that can promote inclusion and ensure decent work for all.
"I am confident that through this project we will be able to develop proposals for policy measures or instruments that can promote inclusion and increase employment in European labour markets", Ugreninov concludes.
About the project
The project has three key objectives:
- Uncover factors that prevent gender equality in labour-market participation and income.
- Pinpoint the importance of context for timing and ways out of working life.
- Identify whether digitalisation and automation can contribute to new risk factors for marginalisation or exclusion in working life.
Project members at OsloMet are Elisabeth Ugreninov (project manager), Justyna Bell, Jon Rogstad, Vegar Bjørnshagen, Andreea Alecu and Silvia Alfreider.
The following institutions are partners in the project: Leibniz University Hannover (German Lad); PIN S.c.r.l. / ARCO Action Research for Co-Development (Italy); Universite du Luxemburg (Luxemburg); Universitat de Girona (Spain); Universitetea Din Bucharest (Romania); COFACE Families Europe (a European network headquartered in Belgium); and IBS- Institute for Structural Research (Poland).
Read more about the project (cordis.europa.eu)
Les more about the program (cordis.europa.eu)
Photo: Halvard Dyb og Eivind Røhne, OsloMet
