About Us

About the Centre for Research on Self-Employment

The nature of work is changing. In a modern, innovation-driven global economy, the self-employed now represent a significant portion of the labour market. However, research and analysis on self-employment has traditionally been fragmented.

The Centre for Research on Self-Employment (CRSE) is the leading international think tank working to improve the understanding of the self-employment sector and its impact on the economy. We deliver leading edge, robust and multidisciplinary research in collaboration with academics from around the world who are at the forefront of self-employment studies.

Key to the CRSE’s work is promoting the knowledge acquired through our research and providing comprehensive analysis into the sector to inform public policy and add value to practitioners. This is achieved through strong collaboration with a network of academics and experts in the field, alongside a dedicated steering committee who exist to set the agenda for future research.

The work of the CRSE provides the basis for international comparisons to be made and ultimately, ensures best practice relating to the sector of self-employment.

The CRSE was established in 2015 in response to a need to recognise the heterogeneity of the self-employed workforce, and adapt to a more flexible labour market. Through a combined effort from leading academics with interests in the areas of freelancing and self-employment, and IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed), a platform for research and innovation was formed. For the first time, there is a global source for academic analysis into self-employment and a growing library of multidisciplinary research. The research undertaken explores all areas of self-employment and in doing so provides a comprehensive analysis of this sector.

Our Mission

To achieve our overarching mission of improving the understanding of the self-employment sector and its impact on the economy, the CRSE:

• Undertakes research into all areas of self-employment in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the sector
• Identifies gaps in research and sets the agenda for future research
• Brings together leading academics and experts from across the globe to provide different perspectives on self-employment
• Actively promotes and disseminates research among practitioners, policy makers and the media
• Maintains a growing library of academic and other interdisciplinary research from leading academics working in the area of self-employment