The Ethnicity and Social Policy Research Centre (ESPR) is an established and recognised centre for research based at the University of Bradford. The Centre has a history of more than four decades worth of sustained activity within social sciences at the University of Bradford and with international colleagues. Starting from the initial pioneering work of Professor Sheila Allen, and later under the direction of Professor Waqar Ahmad and Professor Charles Husband ESPR became highly successful in attracting very significant research funding from a range of major funding bodies including:
This substantial body of research funding generated a considerable amount of academic publication and a related input into social policy and practice. A core element of the activities of ESPR has always been to develop strong international links which is reflected in the funding sources and in the intellectual and policy fora in which members of ESPR have participated.
The objectives of ESPR are:
Academic concerns with ethnic relations, racism and the management of diversity have, in the last few years, been framed by new levels of political anxiety about the potential social significance of ethnic diversity within the contemporary state. With post-modernisation and globalisation the politics of diversity have become internationalised and complex. Within this context the staff group at ESPR have a particularly salient range of competencies and experience; an instance of this can be seen in the current significance of Islam as a major issue in contemporary British and international politics. Anti-Muslim discourses have emerged as a conceptual challenge to the established frameworks of defining ethnocentrism and social exclusion. The interface of the social psychology of identities with the politics of difference and the construction of international relations has become a defining feature of any attempt to understand this situation. Consequently, interdisciplinarity is a sine qua non of any claim by a research group to engage in the analysis of these current circumstances. ESPR brings high level expertise and interdisciplinary fusion in the area of social psychology, sociology and social policy and has a rigorous base for addressing contemporary ethnic relations. Additionally, the centre has a highly visible and significant competence in bringing a critical research perspective to the role of Islam in Britain and internationally, as well as considerable expertise on the far right which provides a complementary focus on the major facets of contemporary ethnic relations and brings a strong sociological research capacity to the overall team. The centre has continued its historical concerns and commitments to exploring the interface of ethnicity and gender in the British, and local, context.
Research at ESPR is organised around five programmes:
The analysis of group and community identities and their relationship with dominant and minority identities and the impact of migration and increasing diversity on society and integration policies. Recent and current projects include representation of race in the media, social care and diversity, Muslims and community cohesion, ethnicity and health, housing renewal and planning, and the development of a substantive equalities policy, with the Government of Western Australia. Also work has been conducted on the social construction of the self and the embodiment of emotions.
The potency of nationalism in the modern world is evident by its resurgence and the proliferation of ethnic conflicts. Research at ESPR on tension and conflicts centred on religious and ethnic identities engages with comparative theories of ethnicity and nationalism: focusing on themes of accommodating difference in divided society and ensuing lessons for public policy for the governance of multi-cultural societies. Recent research investigated the dynamics of Indo-Pakistan relations from the perspective of conflict resolution, ethnic conflict in Pakistan, Muslim mobilisation in Europe, and young people and the far right in the UK.
Researching on historical and theoretical analysis of religious nationalism and mobilisations in the context of globalisation and rapid social change. Projects have included the study of religion and nationalism in state formation in South Asia, analysing the relationship between the two, faith, identity and the Irish diaspora; and the inter-reaction of faith, gender and ethnicity in urban renewal in the UK.
Analysing the intersection of ethnicity, religion, gender and class in wider theoretical debates, of globalisation, post-modernity and hybridity. Research has examined Jihadi movements as well as peace movements within wider sociological discourses, as well as the construction of identity by young Muslims in response to trans-national influences and anti-Muslim racism in a comparative European framework.
Family life and intimate relationships are undergoing social change under the impact of individualisation and globalisation. Interpersonal relations appear more significant than before and are intersected by class, ethnicity and sexuality. Research conducted has contributed to relevant theoretical and policy deabtes. Projects have included investigation into multiculturalism, gender and generation in the context of sexuality and marriage, trans-racial adoption and masculinity, and families and childcare.
ESPR core staff of senior social scientists and expert stakeholders on managing diversity formulate research in consultation with a range of community groups, NGOs , international agencies and government departments. ESPR contributes to the doctoral and post-graduate programmes at the University of Bradford in particular to the Masters programmes in Criminal Justice and Diversity, Gender and Diversity, and Social Care and Diversity.
Yunas Samad is Director of ESPR and the Deputy Director of the South Asia Research Centre, Geneva and has played an active role in many learned societies which include Vice Chairmanship of the British Association for South Asian Studies and Executive Committee Membership of the European Association for South Asian Studies. His research interests include Race, ethnicity and multiculturalism, examining dynamics of community development in the context of exclusion and social policy on the European level. His work on religion and nationalism primarily focuses on South Asia provides historical and theoretical context for the rise of religious nationalism. Research on ethnicity and nationalism centres on conflict between religious and ethnic groups engaging theoretically and comparatively with ethnic and national conflicts. His final area of research focus is on transnational identity based movement, in Islamic and peace movements, in South Asia.
He is the author of A Nation in Turmoil: Nationalism and Ethnicity in Pakistan 1937-58, Sage, New Delhi, 1995; Fatal Attraction: Jihadi Islam, USA and Pakistan, Hurst & Co, London, forthcoming: co-author of Community Perceptions of Forced Marriage, FCO, 2003, with John Eade; Faultlines of Nationalism, Roli Press, with Gayen Pandey, New Delhi, in press: editor of Islam in the European Union: Muslim Youth and the War on Terror. Oxford University Press, Karachi 2006, with Kasturi Sen; 'Special Issue on Muslims in Europe', Innovation: European Journal of Social Science, 10(4), 1998; Culture Identity and Politics: Ethnic Minorities in Britain, Avebury, Aldershot, 1996 with T. Ranger, and O. Stuart.
He has conducted funded research; Conflict Resolution India-Pakistan under the Global Conflict Prevention Programme, FCO/DIFD, conducted the review of Pakistan for the team; 'Youth and Gender –Trans-national Identities and Islamophobia, Accompanying Measure proposal to the European Union FP5 – Improving the Socio Economic Knowledge Base Programme' and 'Community Views on Forced Marriages' funded by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2001, Muslims and Community Cohesion funded by COMPAS (Centre for Migration and Population Studies) Oxford University, and collaborated with Professor Husband and Professor Annable Serbney-Mohammadi on 'Multiculturalism, Muslims and the Media'.
Professor Husband has a long and distinguished research trajectory in the analysis of ethnic relations and racisms. His edited book Race in Britain, 1982 – reprinted 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 – and second edition 1987 became one of the classic texts in the area. His work in examining the interface of ethnicity and the media has established him as one of the key academics in the area. His extensive publication in the area has most recently been complemented by his 2005 book Representing ‘Race’: Racisms, Ethnicities and Media (co-authored with JDH Downing) published by Sage, London. His research commitment in this area has been complemented by sustained participation in relevant policy through working with, for example, the British National Union of Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists and with the Sami Media in Nordic countries.
His applied work has also had an extensive involvement with the interface of
health and social care where his publications include: with Ms Bren Torry the
production of a major educational resource for the Royal College of Nurses -and
the production of an independent learning module called ‘Transcultural
Health Care’ for Her Majesty’s Prison Service.
In 2004/5 he played a lead role with the Office of Multicultural Interests,
the Government of Western Australia, in planning and developing the Racism and
Substantive Equality Programme. This is an extensive innovation in applying
the principles of differentiated citizenship to the practice and performance
of all public sector departments and agencies in Western Australia. A Substantive
Equality Unit has been established within the Equal Opportunity Commission to
oversee the development and implementation of this policy.
In 2005 he was appointed as Scientific Advisor to the new UNESCO global initiative – The Coalition of Cities against Racism.
Professor Brid Featherstone's area of research activity covers families, masculinity, childcare, and gender. She is the author of Working with Men: Theory and Practice in Health and Social Welfare, London Sage, with M. Rivett and J Scourfield (forthcoming); Family Life and Family Support: A Feminist Analysis, Basingstoke, Palgrave (2004); Contemporary Child Care Policy and Practice, Basingstoke, Palgrave (2004) with B. Fawcett and J Goddard; Children Experiencing Maltreatment - Who do they turn to? London, NSPCC, with H. Evans (2004). She has a number of funded research projects which include Tracking Children and Accomplishing Risk: E-Assessment in Child Welfare, ESRC/NSPCC. Evaluation of ‘Dads and Lads programme’ funded by the YMCA and Evaluation of Sure Start Local Programme, Sure Start.
Dr Ian Burkitt has an established international reputation for his innovative work in developing social and psychological theory. In particular his work on social construction and the development of self, and on embodiment and emotions has gained him extensive acclaim. His research interests cover social and psychological theory, social construction and development of the self, embodiment and emotions and sexuality and sexual identity. ‘From a discursive to a Relational Perspective’, Sociological Review, 46 (3), August 1998. pp 483-504. Social Selves: Theories of the Social Formation of Personality. London: Sage, 1991; reprinted 1992, 1993. Bodies of Thought: Social Relations, Activity and Embodiment. London: Sage, 1999. Nurse Education and Communities of Practice, London: ENB research report series, No. 18, May 2001 (With Professor Charles Husband, Jennifer Mackenzie and Alison Torn). Whilst his research has predominantly focused upon cutting edge theoretical development he has also brought this expertise to bear in framing practical and policy related research: as exemplified in his collaborative work with Professor Husband and other colleagues in examining the emotional and intellectual processes in becoming a nurse. This research was funded by the English National Board for Nursing and published as: Burkitt, I., Husband, C., Mackenzie, J., and Torn, A. (2000) Nurse Evaluation and Communities of Practice.
Dr Marie Macey has
developed a major national visibility for her work on the inter-section of ethnicity,
gender and religion. This has taken on a specific policy relevance in her critical
analysis of gender and ethnicity in relation to the Pakistani populations of
Bradford. Additionally the interaction of ethnicity, faith and gender are at
the heart of her current research on aspects of urban renewal. In this work
Dr Macey has developed strong research links with colleagues in other departments
in this university and elsewhere. Her publications include Transracial Adoption:
What’s the Problem?, Berkshire, People in Harmony 1998, reprinted
2001. ‘Religion and Urban Regeneration: A Place for Faith?’ (with
R Furbey) Policy and Politics, Vol. 33, No. 1. 2005; ‘Desh Pardesh:
From Mirpur to West Yorkshire’, Pakistan Journal of Women’s
Studies, Alam-E-Niswan, Vol. 11, No. 2. 2005; ‘Race, Gender &
Sexuality: the Oppression of Multiculturalism’ (with Clare Beckett), Women’s
Studies International Forum, Vol, 24, Nos. 2-3, 2001.
She has conducted a number of research projects which include, ‘Health
Review of Obesity and Overweight in the District of Bradford’, Centre
for Public Scrutiny, 2005; ‘Research into the 2001 riot in Bradford’,
Neighbourhood Renewal/West Yorkshire Police, 2004; ‘Engaging
Faith Communities in Urban Regeneration’, Joseph Rowntree Foundation;
‘Evaluation of four projects on domestic violence in Asian communities’
Health Action Zone 2001.
Dr Tom Cockburn has an established visibility for his research on social cohesion with a particular interest in children and young people. His recent work on young people and the far right provides a specific linkage with research concerns of other colleagues. Along with other colleagues in this core group his work shows a keen commitment to relating social science theory and research to a concrete contribution to current social policy issues. His publications include ‘Children’s Participation in Social Policy: Inclusion, chimera or authenticity?’ Social Policy and Society: A journal of the Social Policy Association, Vol 4(2) pp. 109-119. ‘Wie Jugendiche aus einem ‘Problemquartier’ in Manchester ihre Situation Einschatzen’ in Bendit, Rene; Erler, Wolfgang; Nieborg, Sima; Schafer (eds.) Kinder’ und Jugendktiminalitat: Strateggien der prevention und intervention in Deutyschland and den Niederlanden, Opladen, Germany: Leske + Budrich. Pp. 132-141. ‘Young People’s Perspectives on Youth Justice in Manchester’ in Child and Juvenile Delinquency: Strategies of Prevention and Intervention in Netherlands and Germany, Utrecht, Holland: Verwey-Jonker. Pp. 130-138, pp. ‘Case Studying Organisation: The Use of Quantitive Approaches’ in Beth Humpries (ed) Research in Social Welfare and Social Care, London: Jessica Kingsley. pp59-68.
Dr Terry Allen specialises in research theory and methodology with particular emphasis on ethics in research, questionnaire design and in-depth narrative interviewing and interpretation.
His research interests include urban regeneration, the impact of housing renewal on health, supported housing, and evaluative research. He has promoted extensive links between the University and other agencies in Bradford and is convenor of the Social Care Research and Evaluation Partnership (a Bradford University Research Unit operating in partnership with Bradford Social Services and Hospital Trusts)
He is the author of ‘Falls prevention: a peer education approach’, British Journal of Community Nursing 9.5 (2004), ‘Private sector housing improvement in the UK and the chronically ill: implications for collaborative working’ Housing Studies 20.1: (2005), ‘The support plan: centrepiece of high-quality service or missed opportunity?’ Housing Care and Support 8.4: (2005), ‘ Improving Housing --Improving Health’, British Journal of Community Nursing (forthcoming).
He has worked on a number of funded projects, evaluated – ‘Positive Action on Falls – A Peer Education Approach’, Bradford District Falls Prevention Group/DETR, evaluator for ‘Housing for Health – Barriers to Collaborative Working’, Bradford Health Improvement Programme/ Bradford City PCT/Bradford Trident, evaluator - ‘Effectiveness of Floating Support’, Horton Housing Association.
He has worked for some decades to develop the world-wide, scholarly, and inter-disciplinary study of the Irish Diaspora. He created and edited the six volume series, The Irish World Wide (Leicester University Press, 1992-1997). He was advisor to the Commission for Racial Equality, London, on its research into the experiences of Irish people in Britain (1997). He was Consultant Editor, Irish Diaspora, to the Encyclopaedia of Ireland (Gill & Macmillan, 2003). He is a member of the advisory boards of the journals Irish Studies Review and Tempo Exterior. He has produced many articles, reviews and conference papers in this field. From his base within the Irish Diaspora Research Unit, he hosts two web sites and the Irish Diaspora List, the email discussion forum for Irish Diaspora scholars throughout the world. He is thus able to offer encouragement, advice and comment on a variety of research projects within a variety of disciplines. Patrick O’Sullivan has an earlier formal career, in the probation service and in social work, specialising in work with drug misuse and in family breakdown, and in the teaching of social work. He maintains an interest in the ways in which inter-disciplinary knowledge is created and is used – and regards the study of the Irish Diaspora as a specific locus for the development of that interest.
He has published work on gentrification and urban renaissance and his research interests also include housing and urban policy, housing markets and socio/ economic restructuring. Paul has carried out research on housing sub-markets in Leeds and has managed a number of commissioned research projects including a Transport and Students Pathfider research project for Education Bradford / DfES, and has managed field research activities for COMPAS (Centre for Migration and Population Studies) University of Oxford, regarding Muslims and Community Cohesion. He has also undertaken housing consultancy work for Housing Associations including Bradford Community Housing Trust and Sadeh Lok BME Housing Association.
His recent publications include: ‘Beyond the Metropole: Regional Gentrification or Gentrification in Regional Cities?’ in Atkinson R and Bridge G (Eds) Gentrification in Global Context, Routledge, 2005; The Urban Renaissance of Leeds: Policy Challenges and Opportunities’ Paper in Community Studies No 25 Centre for Research Department of Applied and Community Studies, 2005;‘Leeds Calling: Gentrification in the Regional City of Leeds’ Urban Studies Vol 40 No 12, 2003; ‘Bradford Pathfinder Transport Development Project: Pathfinder 1 Report ‘Transport and Students’ Education Bradford, with J. Pryke, 2003
ESPR activities include co-operation with the Programme for a Peaceful City (PPC), a network of academics and individuals from across the Bradford district. PPC activities include information sharing, seminars and public events. ESPR provides PPC with a range of competencies and expertise in a number of complementary areas.
Co-operation with the Centre of Inclusion and Diversity, located in the School of Health, whose priorities include diversity in the health workforce, inequalities in health and social care and engagement in public services.
Also the Centre of Community Engagement an initiative aimed at bringing the University in collaboration with communities through research, workshops, conferences, knowledge transfer and community activities.
ESPR has strong international networks through European funding for Marie Curie fellowships, the HumanitarianNet programme, UNESCO’s The Coalition of Cities Against Racism and has strong links with IMISCO, which is the key player in shaping European funding in this area. The centre has already contacts and collaborative activities with a number of research centres and institutions nationally and internationally. Internationally ESPR is closely linked to the Centre of South Asian Studies, Geneva, Department of International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Barcelona University and the Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. On the national level it has collaborated with CRONEM, Surrey University, Community Perception of Forced Marriages, COMPAS, Oxford University, on Muslim Community cohesion, and Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge, on South Asia and the Diaspora.
John Eade is Professor of Sociology and Anthropology and has researched on the Islamisation of urban space, globalisation and the global city, travel and pilgrimage, forced marriage, black Methodists in London, and Bangladeshi diaspora politics.
He is also Executive Director of CRONEM (Centre for Research on Nationalism, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism) a multidisciplinary research centre based at the University of Surrey and Roehampton University. It has a documented track record of extensive research on issues of multiculturalism, nationalism and ethnicity. http://www.surrey.ac.uk/Arts/CRONEM/
Dr Yasmin Hussain is a lecturer, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University
of Leeds and has worked on disability, cultural identity, gender, commuity cohesion,
riots, South Asian women
Dr. Paul Bagguley is a lecturer, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University
of Leeds and was Head of School. He has researched citizenship, ethnicity, religion
and identity, community cohesion, riots and violence