Dr Yiluyi Zeng is a Lecturer at the department of Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her research explores the work experiences of precarious workers—particularly freelancers—and examines the institutional factors and interventions that shape meaningful and decent work. One of her PhD dissertation papers, which compared cultural differences of freelance contract relations, received the Best Doctoral Student Paper Award from the British Universities Industrial Relations Association. 

Yiluyi has developed a research focus on challenge-led work shaped through dialogue and engagement with organisations and individuals marginalised by structural inequalities. Currently, she collaborates with arts and cultural organisations to explore and develop approaches that support sustainable careers for creative freelancers facing structural disadvantage. She is currently working on research projects with Dr Giulia Achilli (University of Birmingham) and Professor Helen Nicholson (Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance), in partnership with Resource Productions and Salt Hill VR in Slough, to identify challenges facing local creatives and contribute to the development of locally informed solutions with wider relevance. The team has produced two discussion papers as part of the collaboration: Sustaining Creative Careers: The Arts and Culture in Slough and Towards a sustainable freelancing future.

PhD supervision opportunities

Yiluyi welcomes prospective PhD students with an interest in the following research areas to get in touch and discuss their research proposals (topics may include but are not limited to): freelance work and gig work; meaningful and decent work; sustainable career; inequalities; comparative studies.