Work and Prosperity: Capitalist Realities, Radical Futures, and how to get there

We fear losing work, yet we dread the work we have - it’s the capitalist work paradox. But what if there was another way?

Join Simon Mair (University of York) as he explores how work can be reimagined from a way to earn money, to something that can help us achieve our environmental and social goals.

Simon argues that work should not:

• Be something to be minimised or maximised
• Be simply the way that we make a wage
• Focused towards creating a marketable product

Instead, work should be the contribution we make to sustaining life itself. But how can we make this happen?

The challenge is to refocus the economy, such that it can recognise and value inefficient but socially useful forms of work. In doing this, Simon will demonstrate how these changes in the kind of work we do can support broader transitions and lead to a more sustainable future.

The event will include a drinks reception, audience Q&A, and an opportunity for informal networking and discussion following the talk.

A limited online attendance option will also be available for those unable to join us in person.

This event is part of our ‘Rethinking Prosperity on a Finite Planet’ series.

About the speaker - Simon Mair

Simon’s paid work is as Senior Lecturer in Sustainability in the department of Environment and Geography at the University of York. He takes a systems approach to understanding economy-society-environment relationships, with the aim of re-imagining and rebuilding a sustainable economy.

He has been co-investigator with the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, Marine Spatial Planning Accounting for Climate Effects, and WISE Horizons, and is co-founder of Management Educators Navigating Degrowth (MEND). Simon sits on the expert advisory board of Badvertising, is a strategic partner with Business Declares, and UK country contact for the European Society for Ecological Economics.

Simon is attempting to pre-figure a broader vision of what work could be: he works part time, taking one day a week to care for his son, has previously run a youth group, organised for various political groups, and held positions with local trade union branches.

Event Programme