Working Lives Research Institute
After an initial career in publishing (specialising in German learning materials for anglophone students), Monika took a degree in Sociology at the London School of Economics, followed by an MSc in Sociology with Politics at Birkbeck College.
For many years Monika taught sociology at the University of Hertfordshire (formerly Hatfield Polytechnic), becoming Head of Department and Associate Dean of Faculty. She also held visiting lecturer appointments at McGill University, Montreal, and at the Fachhochschule Frankfurt. She had an interest in continuing education and developed the University’s outreach and professional development programmes, including professional updating and business development courses for returners to the labour market.
In recent years Monika has become involved in research and consultancy for regeneration initiatives in London, in running a mediation service in North London, and in managing a Learning Partnership in East London.
Monika is active in her local community, having helped to set up a housing co-operative, chaired a secondary school governing body, and undertaking volntary work as a mentor and as a neighbourhood mediator.
Monika’s research interests centre on gender and disadvantage in the labour market. She has looked at the position of female entrepreneurs in post reunification eastern Germany and has written on women returners and women entrepreneurs. She is now engaged in the Pan-London LSC ESF Objective 3 project on Disadvantage, Disengagement and Discrimination in the London Labour Market.