The Centre for Research in Economic Sociology and Innovation is the first UK centre for research in economic sociology. With a clear focus on innovation, our research programmes highlight contemporary and historical processes of socio-economic transformation.

CRESI draws together the considerable strengths of the Department of Sociology at the University of Essex in the areas of: markets; corporate institutions and business networks; economic and social rights; corporate social responsibility; cultural economy; welfare regimes and pensions; food and consumption; work and employment; advertising and communications; gender budgeting and fiscal sociology; biotechnology and bioeconomy; and economies of knowledge.

CRESI provides a focus for a research agenda that is interdisciplinary, global and comparative in scope, addressing the 'big' issues facing the world today. The director of research at CRESI is Professor Mark Harvey.