Ruth Pearson

Ruth Pearson is a feminist economist has researched and written about women’s work in the global economy  since the 1970s., focusing in recent years on migrant workers and gendered globalisation.  She is the co author  with Diane Elson of the classical article on women workers in export  production : “Nimble Fingers make Cheap workers” published in Feminist Review in 1981. More recent books and articles include  Thailand’s Hidden Workforce: Burmese Migrant Women Factory Workers  Zed Books. Pearson, R.; (2004) http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?PID=268878″>Globalization, Export-Orientated Employment and Social Policy: Gendered Connections. Palgrave.,   Women and  Credit: Researching the Past, Refiguring the Future Berg 2002, Corporate responsibility and Labour Rights: Codes of Conduct Economy in the Global Economy  Earthscan, 2002 ; Feminist Visions of Development: Gender Analysis and Policy Routledge 1998 .
 She has carried out research in Latin America, Including Argentina  Bolivia, Cuba and Mexico as well as in Thailand, Myanmar and Europe . She has also been an activist in a range of women’s organisations including AWID (Association of Women’s Rights in Development),  the UK Women’s Budget Group and  Home Workers Worldwide. She has acted as a consultant and/ or academic advisor for a range of international organisations  such as UNDP, Oxfam. Action Aid, and DFID.   With Sundari Anitha she has produced a n interactive website for schools and community groups offering resources on migration, women ‘s and labour rights  based on research on South Asian  women in the UK( see: striking-women.org).