Nick Srnicek

Nick is a Lecturer in Digital Economy in the Department of Digital Humanities. With Helen Hester, he is currently writing a book on what anti-work politics and social reproduction theory can learn from each other. His next project will be on the political economy of artificial intelligence.

Prior to joining King’s in 2017, Nick previously taught at University of Westminster, University of West London, UCL, and City, University of London. He was also an editor of Millennium: Journal of International Studies.

Research Interests and PhD Supervision

• Platform economics
• The political economy of AI
• Digital development
• Anti-work politics
• Marxist economics

Nick’s current interests are in the digital economy, digital development, anti-work politics, and the development of Marxist economics.

His most recent book, Platform Capitalism, sets out a framework for understanding the novelties of businesses like Google, Amazon, and Alibaba – as well as how digital platforms generate new tendencies within our economies. His current research is continuing this focus by examining the political economy of AI and looking at how (beyond automation) AI will affect the power dynamics of contemporary capitalism.

Nick’s work is also engaged in the long tradition of anti-work politics. His first book, Inventing the Future (co-written with Alex Williams), was an attempt to elaborate an anti-work politics in the context of modern technological changes. His forthcoming book, After Work (co-written with Helen Hester), seeks to expand anti-work politics into the field of social reproduction by looking at how the often unwaged work of cleaning, cooking, and caring can be recognised, redistributed, and reduced.

Expertise and Public Engagement

Nick’s work has been discussed in a variety of media including The New York Times, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, and Libération. He has given public talks at places around the world, such as Glastonbury, Tate Britain, Centre Pompidou, and Haus der Kulturen der Welt, and has made a number of media appearances on BBC, Sky, Channel 4, and CBC.

Nick’s research has also been incorporated into art and design exhibitions across the globe, been taken up by political parties, and been the focus of debates in a number of countries. His book Inventing the Future is currently being produced into a documentary film, directed by Isiah Medina.

Publications

• Paths Forward for the Study of the Digital Economy
• Srnicek, N., 22 Sep 2020, Platforming Equality: Policy Challenges for the Digital Economy. Muldoon, J. & Stronge, W. (eds.). London: Autonomy, p. 85-90 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding - Chapter
• Love's Labours Lost: Post-Work and Social Reproduction
• Hester, H. & Srnicek, N., 1 Sep 2020, Electra, 10, p. 79-90. Research output: Contribution to specialist publication - Article
• Data, Compute, Labour
• Srnicek, N., 30 Jun 2020, London : Ada Lovelace Institute. Research output: Other contribution
• Two Myths about the Future of the Economy
• Srnicek, N., 22 Mar 2020, Work in the Future: The Automation Revolution. Skidelsky, R. & Craig, N. (eds.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 133-142 10 p. Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding - Chapter. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21134-9_14
• The Eyes of the State: How Central Banks Think
• Srnicek, N., Dec 2019, In : AI & Society. 34, 4, p. 847-856 Research output: Contribution to journal - Article. DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00146-018-0823-y
• Digital Economy Report 2019 - Value Creation and Capture: Implications for Developing Countries
• UNCTAD, 4 Sep 2019, Geneva : United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Research output: Other contribution
• The Only Way to Rein in Big Tech is to Treat Them as a Public Service
• Srnicek, N., 23 Apr 2019, The Guardian. Research output: Contribution to specialist publication - Article
• The Fight for Free Time
• Srnicek, N., Dec 2018, A Field Guide to the Future of Work. Dellot, B. (ed.). London: RSA, p. 17-21 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding - Chapter
• Platform Monopolies and the Political Economy of AI
• Srnicek, N., 18 Sep 2018, Economics for the Many. McDonnell, J. (ed.). London: Verso, p. 152-163 Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding - Chapter
• The Social Wealth of Data
• Srnicek, N., May 2018, Autonomy Institute. Research output: Other contribution