Published Jan 29 2021

Taking Us For A Ride - What Happens Next? podcast on the gig economy

Susan
Carland
Academic, author and social commentator
Greg bamber
Professor, Department of Management
Chandra shah
Associate Professor, Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone an unflattering light on our reliance on casual and gig economy workers, with stories of people working numerous jobs across multiple workplaces unwittingly spreading the virus. 

Numerous drivers have been killed while delivering food on bikes and scooters, bringing into sharp relief the impact of the gig economy.

But long before the pandemic, gig workers were facing dangers from which others are largely protected. What happens if we fail to reshape our economy post-COVID, and continue to rely on gig workers? Are there any advantages to the system? What are the opportunities to change it for the better, and how do we ensure workers aren't being exploited and their lives endangered?

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About the Authors

  • Susan carland

    Director, Bachelor of Global Studies, and Lecturer, School of Language, Literature, Cultures and Linguistics

    Susan's research and teaching specialties focus on gender, sociology, contemporary Australia, terrorism, and Islam in the modern world. Susan hosted the “Assumptions” series on ABC’s Radio National, and was named one of the 20 Most Influential Australian Female Voices in 2012 by The Age.

  • Greg bamber

    Professor, Department of Management, Director, International Consortium for Research in Employment & Work, Centre for Global Business, Monash Business School

    Greg Bamber is a Professor in the Department of Management and Director of the International Consortium for Research in Employment and Work, in the Centre for Global Business, Monash Business School. Among other roles, he has also served the Department of Management variously as: Director of Research, and as Discipline Leader: Human Resources & Employment Relations.

  • Chandra shah

    Associate Professor, Education

    Chandra has extensive experience in the labour market and economics of education research. He has completed many research projects for governments, both state and Commonwealth, and other public and private organisations. He has covered a range of topics including forecasting the supply and demand for labour, employer-supported training, future demand for teachers and nurses, skill shortages and many more.

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