Dr Katy Jones
Reader in Employment
My profile
Biography
Dr Katy Jones is a Reader in Employment and Head of the Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Her research focuses on support for people to move into and progress in work, mainly in relation to active labour market policy and vocational education, and with a particular focus on those most disadvantaged in the labour market.
Katy has published extensively on topics including job quality, employment support, welfare conditionality, vocational training and labour market disadvantage, in both top-tier internationally recognised journals including Work, Employment and Society; International Journal of Human Resource Management and Journal of European Social Policy, alongside many policy/practice focused pieces.
She is passionate about engaging with policy and practice to ensure research has a real-world impact. She co-leads the Social Policy Association’s Employment Policy Group and Metropolis, Manchester Met’s think tank. She is a member of the Centre for Employability Excellence’s Advisory Group, Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter’s technical panel, and the Growth Company’s Progression to Inclusive Employment Advisory Panel. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Employability Professionals and has previously held research positions at The Work Foundation and the Sustainable Housing and Urban Studies Unit (University of Salford).
She has a BA in Economics and Politics from the University of Manchester, an MSc in Social Policy Research from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a PhD in Educational Research from Lancaster University.
Projects
Universal Credit and Employers: exploring the demand side of UK active labour market policy (ESRC grant reference ES/V004093/1)
Teaching
Supervision
Katy currently supervises doctoral students focused on trade unions and welfare reform, and veterans and employment.
She welcomes applications from prospective PhD students focused on:
- Active labour market policy/welfare conditionality
- vocational education and training
- employment and skills transitions
- work and the welfare state
Research outputs
I have published 21 journal articles, 6 book chapters, 2 books and 31 policy reports.
PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES
Jones, K., Wright, S. and Scullion, L. (2024) ‘The impact of Welfare Conditionality on experiences of Job Quality’, Work, Employment and Society The Impact of Welfare Conditionality on Experiences of Job Quality - Katy Jones, Sharon Wright, Lisa Scullion, 2024 (sagepub.com)
Jones, K. and Carson, C. (2024) ‘A step too far: employer perspectives on in-work conditionality,’ Journal of European Social Policy A step too far: Employer perspectives on in-work conditionality - Katy Jones, Calum Carson, 2024 (sagepub.com)
O. and Jones, K. (2022) Training in the age of liberalization and crisis: Understanding the learning experiences of young Active Labour Market Programme Participants, Social Policy & Administration
Jones, K., Scullion S., Martin P. and Hynes, C. (2022) “Accessing and sustaining work after Service: The role of Active Labour Market Policies (ALMP) and implications for HRM,” International Journal of Human Resource Management
Jones, K. and Christie, F., Brophy, S. (2022) “Getting in, Getting on, Going Further: exploring the role of employers in the Degree Apprentice to Graduate transition,” British Educational Research Journal
Jones, K. (2022) “Heads in the Sand: the Absence of Employers in New Developments in UK Active Labour Market Policy,” The Political Quarterly. DOI:10.1111/1467-923X.13130
Jones, K. (2021). Understanding adult education in community contexts: A critical realist perspective. British Educational Research Journal, 47(3), 674-691.
Scullion, L., Jones, K., Dwyer, P., Hynes, C. and Martin, P. (2021) “Military Veterans and Welfare Reform: Bridging Two Policy Worlds through Qualitative Longitudinal Research,” Social Policy and Society. Cambridge University Press, pp. 1–14.
Berry, C., Bailey, D. and Jones, K. (2020) ‘A beta bailout: the near future of state intervention,’ Soundings 75: 37-54
Dwyer, P., Scullion, L., Jones, K., McNeill, J. and Stewart, AB. (2020) “Work, Welfare and Wellbeing? The impacts of welfare conditionality on people with mental health impairments in the UK,” Social Policy & Administration 54 pp311–326
Jones, K., Ahmed, A., Gibbons, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Rogers, M. and Wilding, M. (2020) ‘Working and homeless: exploring the interaction of housing and labour market insecurity’, Social Policy & Society, 19(1), 121-132.
Wilding, M., Madoc-Jones, I., Ahmed, A., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., & Rogers, M. (2020). Policy Transfer and Part 2 of the Housing Act (Wales) 2014. Social Policy and Society, 19(1), 171-182.
Gibbons, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Ahmed, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M. and Wilding, M. (2020) ‘Rural Homelessness: Prevention Practices in Wales,’ Social Policy & Society, 19(1) 133-144.
Rogers, M., Ahmed, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., & Wilding, M. (2020). Interrogating the Prevention Approach of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 for People with Mental Health Needs Who Are Homeless. Social Policy and Society, 19(1), 109-120.
Ahmed, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M., & Wilding, M. (2020). Challenges to Implementing the New Homelessness Prevention Agenda in Wales. Social Policy and Society, 19(1), 157-169.
Dwyer, P., Scullion, L., Jones, K. and Stewart, ABR. (2019) ‘The impact of conditionality on the welfare rights of EU migrants in the UK,’ Policy and Politics 47 (1) pp133-150
Jones, K. (2019). ‘“I’ve always been a grafter”: Older benefit recipients and welfare conditionality,’ Journal of Social Security Law 25 (3) pp. 173-186.
McNeill, J., Scullion, L., Jones, K., Stewart, A. (2017). ‘Welfare conditionality and disabled people in the UK: claimants’ perspectives,’ Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 25, pp. 177-180.
Sissons, P. and Jones, K. (2016) ‘Local industrial strategy and skills policy in England: Assessing the linkages and limitations – a case study of the Sheffield City Deal,’ Local Economy. 31, pp. 857–872.
Lee, N., Sissons, P. & Jones, K. (2015) ‘The geography of wage inequality in British cities,’ Regional Studies, 50 pp. 1714-1727.
Monographs
Jones, K. and Kumar, A. (2022) Idleness. Agenda Publishing
Dwyer, P., Scullion, L., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Stewart, A. (2022) The impact of welfare conditionality, Bristol: Policy Press
Book chapters
Bennett, H. and Jones, K. (2022) ‘Getting in, being heard, and influencing change: The labours of policy engagement in employment and social security research’, in Jolly, A., Cefalo, R. and Pomati, M. (eds) Social Policy Review 34: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2022. Bristol: Policy Press
Jones, K. (2022) ‘How to win friends and influence policy: a guide for new researchers’, in Vorley, T., Rahman, SA, Tuckerman, L. and Wallace, P. (eds) How to Engage Policy Makers with Your Research: The Art of Informing and Impacting Policy. Edward Elgar
Jones, K. (2021) ‘Active labour market policy in a post-Covid UK: moving beyond a ‘Work First’ approach’, in McCann, P. and Vorley, T. (eds) Productivity and the Pandemic: The way forward. Edward Elgar
Jones, K. (2019). ‘No strings attached? An exploration of employment support services offered by third sector homelessness organisations’, chapter 5 in Dwyer, P. (eds) (2019) Dealing with welfare conditionality. Bristol: Policy Press.
Jones, K. (2019). ‘Adult education in community organisations supporting homeless adults: exploring the impact of austerity politics’, in James, N. and Boeren, E. (eds) Being an adult learner in austere times. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Selected research reports
Jones, K. (2021) Working Life After Degree Apprenticeship: Key Findings from Apprentice Interviews. Manchester Metropolitan University
Jones, K. (2021) Working Life After Degree Apprenticeship: Key Findings from Employer Interviews. Manchester Metropolitan University
Scullion, L. and Jones, K. (2020) Taking an assets-based approach to Jobcentre Plus support: Lessons from Wales. Greater Manchester Poverty Action
Berry, C., O’Donovan, N., Bailey, D., Barber, A., Beel, D., Jones, K., McDaniel, S. and Weicht, R. (2020) The Covidist Manifesto: Assessing the UK state’s emergency enlargement. Future Economies/Manchester Metropolitan University
Jones, K., Berry, C., Rouse, J. and Whittle, R. (2019) Universal Credit and In-Work Conditionality – a productive turn? Productivity Insights Network
Scullion, L., Dwyer, P., Jones, K., Martin, P. and Hynes, C. (2019) Sanctions, Support and Service Leavers: Social Security benefits, welfare conditionality and transitions from military to civilian life: Final Report. Forces in Mind Trust
Dane, I., Worthington, D., Scullion, L., Jones, K. and Martin, P. (2019) Navigating a different minefield (a graphic novel illustrating stories based on the ‘Sanctions, Support & Service Leavers’ project). Forces in Mind Trust
Wilding, M., Jones, K., Martin, P. and Scullion, L. (2019) Housing works: assessing the impact of housing association employment support. GUAC/University of Salford
Jones, K., Gibbons, A., Brown, P. (2019) Assessing the impact of Housing First in Brighton and Westminster. London: St Mungo’s
Jones, K., Martin, P., Kelly, A. (2018) Hidden young people in Salford: exploring the experiences of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) and not claiming benefits
Ahmed, A., Wilding, M., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M., Madoc-Jones, I. (2018) Post-implementation evaluation of Part 2 of the Housing Act (Wales) 2014: Final Report
Dwyer, P., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Scullion, S. and Stewart, ABR. (2018) Final findings: Disabled People. http://www.welfareconditionality.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/40414-Disabled-people-web.pdf
Wright, S., Dwyer, D., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Scullion, L. and Stewart, ABR. (2018) Final findings: Universal Credit. http://www.welfareconditionality.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/40414-Universal-Credit-web.pdf
Scullion, L., Wilding, M., Jones, K., Martin, P. (2017) Evaluation of DWP &Oxfam Livelihoods Training Project: Final Report
Dwyer, P., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Scullion, L. and Stewart, A. (2016) FIRST WAVE FINDINGS: Disability and conditionality
Dwyer, P., Jones, K., Scullion, L. and Stewart, A. (2016) FIRST WAVE FINDINGS: Migrants and Conditionality
Ray, K., Sissons, P, Jones, K. and Vegeris, S. (2014) Employment, pay and poverty: An evidence review York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Sissons, P. and Jones, K. (2014) How can local skills strategies help low earners? York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Dumoulin, D. and Jones, K. (2014) Reading Counts: Why English and maths skills matter in tackling homelessness. London: St Mungo’s Broadway
Lee, N. Sissons, P. and Jones, K. (2013) Wage inequality and employment polarisation in British cities. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Jones, K. (2013) The road less travelled? Improving the apprenticeship pathway for young people. London: The Work Foundation
Brinkley, I., Jones, K. and Lee, N. (2013) The Gender Jobs Split: How young men and women experience the labour market. London: Trades Union Congress
Cominetti, N. Sissons, P. and Jones, K. (2013) Beyond the business case: The employer’s role in tackling youth unemployment. London: The Work Foundation
Crowley, L., Jones, K., Cominetti, N. (2013) International Lessons: Youth unemployment in the global context. London: The Work Foundation
Sissons, P. and Jones, K. (2012) Lost in transition? The changing labour market and young people not in employment, education or training. London: The Work Foundation
Lee, N., Sissons, P., Balaram, B., Jones, K. (2012) Short-term crisis - long-term problem? Addressing the youth employment challenge. London: The Work Foundation
Jones, K. (2012) Transport barriers to youth employment. London: The Work Foundation.
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Books (authored/edited/special issues)
Dwyer, P., Scullion, L., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Stewart, A.B.R. (2022) The impacts of welfare conditionality: Sanctions support and behaviour change.
Kumar, A., Jones, K. (2022) Idleness. Agenda Publishing.
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Chapters in books
Scullion, L., Beck, D., Jones, K., Connors, C., Martin, P., Gibbons, A., Hynes, C. (2024) 'Influencing Policy and Practice Through Social Science Research Evidence.' Researching Poverty and Austerity: Theoretical Approaches, Methodologies and Policy Applications. pp. 183-198.
Jones, K. (2022) 'How to win friends and influence policy: A guide for new researchers.' How to Engage Policy Makers with Your Research. pp. 249-258.
Bennett, H., Jones, K. (2022) 'Getting in, being heard and influencing change: the labours of policy engagement in employment and social security research.' Social Policy Review 34: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2022. pp. 48-70.
Jones, K. (2021) 'Active labour market policy in a post-Covid UK: moving beyond a ‘Work First’ approach.' Productivity and the Pandemic: The way forward. Edward Elgar,
Jones, K. (2019) 'No Strings Attached? An Exploration of Employment Support Services Offered by Third Sector Homelessness Organisations.' In Dwyer, P. (ed.) Dealing with Welfare Conditionality. Bristol: Policy Press,
Jones, K. (2018) 'Adult Education in Community Organisations Supporting Homeless Adults: Exploring the Impact of Austerity Politics.' In James, N., Boeren, E. (ed.) Being an Adult Learner in Austere Times Exploring the Contexts of Higher, Further and Community Education. Springer,
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Reports
Dwyer, P., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Scullion, S., Stewart, A.B.R. Final Findings: Disabled People.
Wright, S., Dwyer, D., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Scullion, L., Stewart, A.B.R. Final Findings: Universal Credit.
Katy, K., Gibbons, A., Brown, P. (2019) Assessing the impact of Housing First in Brighton and Westminster. St Mungo's.
Jones, K., Berry, C., Rouse, J., Whittle, R. (2019) Universal Credit and In-Work Conditionality – a productive turn?. Productivity Insights Network.
Scullion, L., Dwyer, P., Jones, K., Martin, P., Hynes, C. (2018) Sanctions, Support and Service Leavers: Social Security Benefits, Welfare Conditionality and Transitions From Military to Civilian Life: First Wave Findings.
Ahmed, A., Wilding, M., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M., Madoc-Jones, I. (2018) Post-implementation evaluation of Part 2 of the Housing Act (Wales) 2014: Final Report. Welsh Government.
Jones, K., Brown, P. (2017) Evaluation of Help for Single Homeless Fund Activities in Stockport, Oldham and Tameside.
Jones, K., Brown, P., Gibbons, A. (2017) Evaluation of Help for Single Homeless Fund Activities in Bolton, Rochdale & Wigan.
Dwyer, P., Jones, K., Scullion, L., Stewart, A. (2016) FIRST WAVE FINDINGS: Migrants and Conditionalty.
Dwyer, P., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Scullion, L., Stewart, A. (2016) FIRST WAVE FINDINGS: Disability and Conditionality.
Ray, K., Sissons, P., Jones, K., Vegeris, S. (2014) Employment, Pay and Poverty: An Evidence Review.
Sissons, P., Jones, K. (2014) How Can Local Skills Strategies Help Low Earners?.
Dumoulin, D., Jones, K. (2014) Reading Counts: Why English and Maths Skills Matter in Tackling Homelessness.
Jones, K., Brinkley, I., Lee, N. (2013) The Gender Jobs Split: How Young Men and Women Experience the Labour Market.
Crowley, L., Jones, K., Cominetti, N. (2013) International Lessons: Youth Unemployment in the Global Context.
Jones, K. (2013) The Road Less Travelled? Improving the Apprenticeship Pathway for Young People.
Lee, N., Sissons, P., Jones, K. (2013) Wage Inequality and Employment Polarisation in British Cities.
Cominetti, N., Sissons, P., Jones, K. (2013) Beyond the Business Case: The Employer's Role in Tackling Youth Unemployment.
Lee, N., Sissons, P., Balaram, B., Jones, K. (2012) Short-Term Crisis - Long-Term Problem? Addressing the Youth Employment Challenge.
Sissons, P., Jones, K. (2012) Lost in Transition? The Changing Labour Market and Young People Not in Employment, Education or Training.
Jones, K. (2012) Transport Barriers to Youth Employment.
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Internet publications
Christie, F., Deakin, R., Cunningham, E., Jones, K. (2023) Embedding good work and employment rights in employability. https://www.myiep.uk/blogpost/1865348/496214/The-IEP-Journal.
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Journal articles
Jones, K., Wright, S., Scullion, L. (2024) 'The impact of welfare conditionality on experiences of job quality.' Work, Employment and Society,
Jones, K., Carson, C. (2024) 'A step too far: employer perspectives on in-work conditionality.' Journal of European Social Policy,
Jones, K. (2023) 'Good work needs to take centre stage in Labour’s employment policy (part of: Symposium: How should a Labour government approach welfare? Katy Jones, Kate Alexander-Shaw, Will Stronge, Clare McNeil, pages 39-53).' Renewal: A journal of social democracy, 31(3)
Gjersøe, H.M., Jones, K., Leseth, A.B., Scullion, L., Martin, P. (2023) 'Refraining from rights and giving in to personalised control: young unemployed peoples’ experiences and perceptions of public and third sector support in the UK and Norway.' European Journal of Social Work,
Jones, K. (2023) '‘Idleness’ and a new approach to employment policy.' IPPR Progressive Review, 29(3-4) pp. 270-276.
Papadopoulos, O., Jones, K. (2022) 'Training in the age of liberalization and crisis: Understanding the learning experiences of young Active Labour Market Programme Participants.' Social Policy and Administration: an international journal of policy and research, 57(2) pp. 219-234.
Jones, K., Scullion, L., Hynes, C., Martin, P. (2022) 'Accessing and sustaining work after Service: the role of active labour market policies (ALMP) and implications for HRM.' International Journal of Human Resource Management,
Jones, K., Christie, F., Brophy, S. (2022) 'Getting in, getting on, going further: exploring the role of employers in the Degree Apprentice to Graduate transition.' British Educational Research Journal, 49(1) pp. 93-109.
Jones, K. (2022) 'Heads in the Sand: the Absence of Employers in New Developments in UK Active Labour Market Policy.' Political Quarterly, 93(2) pp. 253-260.
Scullion, L., Jones, K., Dwyer, P., Hynes, C., Martin, P. (2020) 'Military veterans and welfare reform: bridging two policy worlds through qualitative longitudinal research.' Social Policy and Society, 20(4) pp. 670-683.
Jones, K. (2020) 'Understanding adult education in community contexts: a critical realist perspective.' British Educational Research Journal, 47(3) pp. 674-691.
Jones, K. (2020) 'How Non-Permanent Workers Learn and Develop: Challenges and Opportunities.' WORK EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIETY,
Gibbons, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Ahmed, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M., Wilding, M. (2019) 'Rural Homelessness: Prevention Practices in Wales.' Social Policy and Society, 19(1) pp. 133-144.
Ahmed, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M., Wilding, M. (2019) 'Challenges to Implementing the New Homelessness Prevention Agenda in Wales.' Social Policy and Society, 19(1)
Dwyer, P., Scullion, L., Jones, K., McNeill, J., Stewart, A. (2019) 'Work, welfare and wellbeing? The impacts of welfare conditionality on people with mental health impairments in the UK.' Social Policy and Administration, 54(2) pp. 311-326.
Wilding, M., Madoc-Jones, I., Ahmed, A., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., Rogers, M. (2019) 'Policy Transfer and Part 2 of the Housing Act (Wales) 2014.' Social Policy and Society, 19(1) pp. 171-182.
Jones, K., Ahmed, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Gibbons, A., Rogers, M., Wilding, M. (2019) 'Working and homeless: exploring the interaction of housing and labour market insecurity.' Social Policy and Society, 19(1)
Rogers, M., Ahmed, A., Madoc-Jones, I., Gibbons, A., Jones, K., Wilding, M. (2019) 'Interrogating the prevention approach of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 for people with mental health needs who are homeless.' Social Policy and Society, 19(1) pp. 109-120.
Dwyer, P.J., Scullion, L., Jones, K., Stewart, A. (2019) 'The Impact of Conditionality on the Welfare Rights of EU Migrants in the UK.' Policy & Politics, 47(1) pp. 133-150.
Jones, K. (2019) '“I’ve always been a grafter”: Older benefit recipients and welfare conditionality.' Journal of Social Security Law, 25(3)
McNeill, J., Scullion, L., Jones, K., Stewart, A. (2017) 'Welfare conditionality and disabled people in the UK: claimants' perspectives.' Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 25(2) pp. 177-180.
Sissons, P., Jones, K. (2016) 'Local industrial strategy and skills policy in England: Assessing the linkages and limitations – a case study of the Sheffield City Deal.' Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit, 31(8) pp. 857-872.
Lee, N., Sissons, P., Jones, K. (2016) 'The Geography of Wage Inequality in British Cities.' Regional Studies, 50(10) pp. 1714-1727.
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Conference papers
Creaby, F., Christie, F., Rattenbury, J., Jones, K. (2022) 'The best of both worlds? The working lives of Degree Apprentices in England.' 5/12/2022 - 9/12/2022. Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE),