3 Research Context and Methods
The research findings presented in this chapter focus on migrant labour in the context of platform work in the United Kingdom. This focus is part of a broader research programme developed in the frame of the ERC project SHARE—Seizing the Hybrid Areas of work by Representing self-Employment, conducted by a multidisciplinary research team.<sup>1</sup>
The case study was conducted with members of the IWGB, one of the most relevant unions within the UK’s labour landscape focusing on the representation of migrant workers, including those engaged in the gig economy. With its main headquarters in London, at the time of the fieldwork, the IWGB comprised ten branches, representing a diverse spectrum of professions, including but not limited to cleaners, security guards, couriers, care workers, university staff, private hire drivers, charity workers, cycling instructors, yoga instructors, game developers, and logistics workers.
Access to the organisation and the spaces of collaboration were negotiated with members occupying various hierarchical positions within the union. Research endeavours were characterised by an immersive ethnographic approach, conducted mainly in London in two phases. The first ran between March and August 2019, and the second one was planned in 2020 but then postponed to July–December 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions. Our participatory involvement extended beyond mere observation, encompassing engagement in public forums, internal coordination meetings, demonstrations, pickets, and other public events, thus facilitating both formal and informal interviews. The data collection process was enriched by an extensive collection of relevant documents, ranging from internal communications to publicly disseminated reports, press releases and official statements, all of which enriched our comprehension of the organisational position and dynamics. The interaction during the fieldwork was conducted mainly in English and occasionally in Spanish and Italian. A meticulous transcription (and, when necessary, translation) of field notes and interviews ensured continuous collaboration within the research team. Digitally transcribed texts were regularly uploaded to a remote server, fostering collective analysis.
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<sup>1</sup> This chapter is part of the SHARE project, which has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. 715950).