Open to people and ideas

The REEF’s open theme is a microcosm of The Open University mission to be open to ideas, people, and places.

This theme acts as an incubator for projects, activities, and directions that do not fit neatly into any of the other two REEF themes but are nevertheless relevant to its overall remit and mission. The open theme also includes activities that connect the other REEF themes together in the spirit of dialogue, collaboration, and cross-pollination.

Leadership and organising from below

In times of strife, it is perhaps wise to look for examples of organising and leadership amongst people who propose novel alternatives for the future. Such organisations may be innovative businesses driven by a strong sense of social mission, trade unions or activist organisations more broadly.

REEF research particularly focuses on how technology is being repurposed to connect, foster responsiveness and cement relationships of solidarity. We seek to understand the kind of leadership required to address the climate crisis – be it activists, government, trade unions business, civil society, or collaborations involving these groups working together.

REEF research explores the promise of better working conditions in a future where old models of economic growth may become less relevant due to an increasing transition to knowledge work. Finally, we focus on ‘advances’ such as a focus on post-humanism and aesthetics, but also advances in practice.

Cultural industries

The cultural and creative industry (CCI) consist of a wide range of sectors rooted in artistic expression and creativity, including visual and performing arts, crafts, theatre, film, television and radio broadcasting, music, publishing, video games, digital media, architecture, design, fashion, and advertising.

Despite its profound impact on British society and culture, the CCI remains a vastly understudied field, presenting opportunities for further exploration and analysis. The CCI has the potential to facilitate the production of more inclusive narratives and challenge social exclusion, but there remains a substantial disparity in access to cultural professions. While a recent shift towards greater inclusivity in the CCI is certainly positive, it is important to acknowledge that this alone may not adequately address the deeply ingrained issues of disparity within the industry.

REEF aims to contribute to creating more inclusive institutions and employment pathways beyond performative diversity and inclusion, striving for transformative change. Our research integrates perspectives from organisation studies, sociology, and education to better understand the industry’s disparities and barriers.

Recent and upcoming news, activities and blogs relevant to this theme.

Empowering ethics

Researchers in REEF explore the inter-relationship between ethics, ethical knowledge and practice in an era of climate emergency, and uncertainty. Our research particularly focuses on the notions of a just transition to a green economy, and the formation of a post-humanist ethics that goes beyond the typical approaches to (anthropocentric) ethics promoted in a business school context.

This research theme offers space to analyse normative questions posed by organisational practice, and to explore how ethics and ethical knowledge resonate through systems of action and inaction (at societal, organisational, global, inter-organisational, organisational and individual levels). Research covers the status of ethical knowledge, leadership, management, and studies of ethical practice within, and across organisations and sectors.

Innovative methods and practices of knowledge production

Research in REEF explores methods of social science research that can contribute towards enhancing social justice. A key aim is to explore new ways of thinking about and producing knowledge in contexts of employment, and the benefits that may emerge as a result.

Relevant topics include: collaborative and action research; feminist and decolonizing methods; innovative and inclusive research methods; embodied and feminist new-materialist research; reflexive methodologies; ethics and politics in research; methods for achieving engagement and impact.

Gendered Organisational Practice

In collaboration with the independent Gendered Organisational Practice (GOP) research cluster, REEF provides a space for feminists of any gender to share insights and knowledge from academic study and practice. Its supportive approach explores gender in relation to workplace exploitation and activism for emancipation within a context of ever intensifying neoliberal norms and precarity. Our research is particularly interested in how gender can intersect with issues of climate justice and the implications of such intersections.

REEF also studies the intersections between material bodies and the workplace, including the gynaecological difficulties experienced by workers.

Common Good HRM

REEF Collaborates with the Common Good Human Resource Management (CGHRM) research cluster that focuses on the exploration of an innovative common-good approach to HRM, critically examining existing practices and their implications for individuals, organisations, and society.

The common-good approach assumes a society comprising individuals whose own benefit is linked to the good of the community, and considers the long-term consequences of actions and policies on both current and future generations. The research aims to explore new and innovative ways of ‘doing’ HRM by establishing a common-good mindset, as an alternative to a neoclassical model of win-win approaches exemplified in current HRM perspectives. A key objective of the Centre is to facilitate collaboration among academics across faculties at the OU and international partners to enhance the current involvement of HR functions in addressing societal challenges and crises.