Ethnic Identity and Inequalities in Britain: The Dynamics of Diversity

As debates around ethnic identity and inequality gain both political and media interest, this important book is the first to offer in-depth analysis from the last three UK population censuses focusing on the dynamics of ethnic identity and inequalities in contemporary Britain. While providing a comprehensive overview, it also clarifies concepts associated with greater ethnic diversity, increased segregation, exclusive growth of minority groups through immigration and a national identity crisis. The contributions, all from experts in the field based at or affiliated to the Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity, highlight persistent inequalities in access to housing, employment, education and good health faced by some ethnic groups. The book will be a valuable resource for policy makers and researchers in national and local government, community groups, academics, students, and will act as an authoritative text to cite in reports, dissertations and funding applications.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: The dynamics of diversity ~ Stephen Jivraj and Ludi Simpson; Section 1: Ethnic diversity and identity; How has ethnic diversity grown? ~ Stephen Jivraj and Ludi Simpson; Why has ethnic diversity grown? ~ Ludi Simpson and Stephen Jivraj; Does Britain have plural cities? ~ Ludi Simpson; Who feels British? ~ Stephen Jivraj and Bridget Byrne; Do people change their ethnicity over time? ~ Ludi Simpson, James Warren and Stephen Jivraj; In what ways is Scotland’s ethnic diversity distinctive? ~ Andrew Smith and Ludi Simpson; Section 2: Ethnic inequalities; Has neighbourhood ethnic residential segregation decreased? ~ Gemma Catney; Which ethnic groups have the poorest health? ~ Laia Bécares; Which ethnic groups are hardest hit by the housing crisis? ~ Nissa Finney and Bethan Harries; Have ethnic inequalities in the labour market persisted? ~ Dharmi Kapadia, James Nazroo and Ken Clark; Is there an ethnic group educational gap? ~ Kitty Lymperopoulou and Meenakshi Parameshwaran; How likely are ethnic minorities to live in deprived neighbourhoods? ~ Stephen Jivraj and Omar Khan; Conclusions; Policy implications ~ Ludi Simpson and Stephen Jivraj.

About the Author :
Stephen Jivraj is a Lecturer in Population Health at University College London. He has written research papers on migration, neighbourhood effects and subjective well-being. He previously worked at the ESRC Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity. Ludi Simpson is Professor of Population Studies at the University of Manchester. He has been president of the British Society for Population Studies and advises local and national governments on population analysis. He is an affiliate member of the ESRC Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity.

Review :
"Essential reading for the citizen who wishes to be informed about the ethnic transformation that British society is experiencing." Philip Rees, Professor Emeritus, University of Leeds "This collection makes a timely and scholarly intervention in debates on ethnic identities and inequality in Britain. Through scholarship and sober reason it provides a vital counterweight to the presuppositions, priors and prejudices too common in the public debate. An invaluable contribution." Professor Michael Keith, Director, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society "Carefully written, beautifully illustrated, accurately analysed, expertly argued - what more could you ask for?" Danny Dorling, University of Oxford "Fifty years on from the first Race Relations Act, this important and timely book traces the continuities and changes in ethnicity in Britain." Claire Alexander, Professor of Sociology, Manchester University