Localities studies

We're conducting qualitative studies examining race and ethnicity in four localities across the UK: Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, and the London Borough of Newham.

In these local areas, we are interested in the lived experience of race and ethnicity; the language of ethnicity and race; how race and ethnicity are managed in the social and political context; how neighbourhoods and diversity are understood and remembered in the past. We will be exploring how these themes change for people over time, generation and life stage.

As part of our community engagement work, we carried out pop-up research events in the four localities to engage with local communities. These took place on Cheetham Hill high street (in collaboration with Buddleia Arts, in Govanhill at the Go Slow Café, in Newham at East Ham market and in Butetown in Loudoun Square (with assistance from Cardiff Community Housing Association and Butetown Community Centre).

#EverydayRace

The #EverydayRace graphic art project emerged following consultation with some of our research participants who suggested that visual media would be a concise and striking means to share our research findings.

The images represent various ways that race is routinely experienced in people’s lives in the UK. All artwork is by Paul Gent.

Ethnic categories on Census forms can be taken for granted but for many people they are a way of reinforcing difference and stereotypes.

Black people continue to face racism and discrimination in the labour market.

For many British Muslims the current global context has made them feel more alienated and at risk of violent racism. There is also concern about the lack of a clear message from government and local authorities that Muslims are welcome in Britain and should be supported.

New migrants remind us that integration is a two-way process.

New migrants are often blamed for all sorts of neighbourhood problems when the real problems are caused by low public investment and inadequate housing.

British Muslims continue to be targeted at border control. They are forced to defend their right to enter their own country.

Changes to equality legislation means that there race is no longer a specific area of focus. Community organisations struggle to get funding and recognition.