Families and Social Capital Research Group

In a British Academy Small Grants funded project 'The Era of Moral Condemnation: Mixed Race People in Britain, 1920-1950', Dr Chamion Caballero (Weeks Centre for Social and Policy Studies, London South Bank University) and Dr Peter Aspinall (University of Kent) explore the intersection between perceptions of racial mixedness and mixing by official forces with those of people, couples and families from mixed racial backgrounds themselves. In addition to forthcoming publications, findings from the research also formed the foundation of a three part BBC2 series 'Mixed Britannia' presented by George Alagiah. Charting events from the turn of the 20th century to the present day, the series explored the social factors that have influenced the shape of the mixed race Britain we see today. Dr Caballero is interviewed in this series, and Dr Caballero and Dr Aspinall are credited as academic consultants. More recently the project has been cited by the British Academy, quoted in the Times Higher Education, as an example of successful research.

Contact: Chamion Caballero

This unique study is the first large scale qualitative longitudinal piece of research funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) and covers the life course from cradle to grave. The ESRC supports quantitative longitudinal studies it describes as world class and it's envisaged they will feed into policy and practice at all levels and into higher education substantively, methodologically and practically in providing training in using the data produced. Timescapes has high public visibility including links with BBC Memoryshare, a website which collects memories from the UK population.

Find out more about Timescapes

This Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project builds on and develops the findings from an ESRC funded study which explored the experiences, personal identifications and meanings drawn on by pupils at risk of school exclusion. The aim is to produce targeted policy and practice resources in collaboration with Kids Company (a charity supporting challenged and challenging children and young people) their service users and other specialist practitioners. Two core products will be produced as an outcome of a co-ordinated programme of knowledge exchange. 1.A policy directed 'Manifesto for Learning' 2. A practitioner directed 'Reflexive Toolkit' to prompt and facilitate critical, reflexive awareness among teachers and other professionals working with pupils at risk of school exclusion. Project partners are Kid's Company and St Mary's school in Croydon. The project duration is January 2011 to July 2012

Contacts: Val Gillies or Yvonne Robinson

This Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project explores young LGBT people's understanding, uses, and experiences of religion. This research is a case-study exploration of religion and sexuality in young people's lives. Adopting an intersectional framework it asks how religious identity interplays with other forms and contexts of identity, specifically those related to sexual identity. It does this through a detailed investigation of the experiences, choices and identities of queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual) young people involved in the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in the UK. It will contribute to the knowledge of scholars working across the social sciences whose work examines both contemporary theories of religion and sexuality. Three peer-reviewed articles are planned and an edited volume, Intersecting Contradiction? Queering Religion, Religious Queers. The results of the research will also be publicised to a range of non-academic users and voluntary organisations through articles in the gay and lesbian press (Diva, Out North-East), and community newsletters (Mesmac, MCC).

Contacts: Prof. Yvette Taylor or Dr. Ria Snowdon

Funded by the Big Lottery and in partnership with Age Concern Lewisham and Southwark , the project aims to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Elders in the London Boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark by improving access to mainstream and culturally specific services. The project is divided into 3 interlinking parts: (1) Person Centred Planning. Using person centred planning tools, a trained volunteer will be 'paired' with an older person to work together to create and implement a person centred plan. (2) Research. A qualitative investigation into the issues affecting ageing and wellbeing of BAME elders in these boroughs and the factors that impact on their access and uptake of person centred planning. Life-history interviews will using the person centred plans completed to assist in exploring the social, economic and psychological issues of ageing for BAME elders; intersected identities and place and space on processes of healthy living and ageing well; (3) Evaluation. The evaluation will monitor the project process and proposed outcomes, and a wider social impact will be the projects' role in building networks and partnerships in the wider community, with stuatury and voluntary agencies to access more BAME elders.

Contact: Dr. Tracey Reynolds