The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) is set to launch the Future of Work Sub-Grants initiative for West and Central Africa. Increasing technological advancements promise enhanced productivity and innovation but also pose challenges such as job automation, leading to loss of employment and socio-economic disparities. These concerns are particularly pressing in West and Central Africa, where there is limited insight into the effects of digital transformation on employment, compounded by climate change's impact on productivity.
The International Development Research Center (IDRC) is supporting the FutureWORKS Collective, a five-year interdisciplinary research initiative focusing on the future of work in the Global South. This initiative is led by five regional hubs, with ISSER serving as the hub for West and Central Africa. The institute will award sub-grants for research to address gaps in knowledge and understanding related to technological adoption and digitalization, aiming to better understand the challenges and opportunities in the future of work in these regions.
This promises to be a significant step in generating needed evidence on the rapidly evolving landscape of work across these regions and how to future proof same in view of the growing global digital economy and increasing concerns with climate change.
Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER, highlighted the Institute's achievements and the significant opportunity this initiative presents for collaboration in addressing the future of work challenges. “The launch of the Future of Work initiative, the second sub-grants-awarding research initiative at ISSER, is a testament to our remarkable progress as an institute. We are delighted by the significant opportunity this presents for ISSER to support institutions in the global south to build their research capacity through such sub grant initiatives,” he stated.
ISSER will partner with the Bureau d’analyses macro-économiques of the Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA-BAME) in implementing the activities of the West and Central African hub. The hub’s main responsibilities include producing high-quality research, promoting evidence-based policymaking, and enhancing regional capacity, particularly focusing on social protection to improve the socio-economic status of marginalized groups.
The Future of Work research initiative will be officially launched on May 28, 2024, at an event at ISSER. The theme for the launch is "Digital Technologies, Climate Change Mitigation, and the Future of Work in Agri-based Economies in Central and West Africa: A Research Agenda." For more information about the launch or the research initiative, interested parties can contact the hub via email at fow.isser@ug.edu.gh.
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