An article examined the idea that unprecedented levels of cultural diversity were undermining social cohesion, and were attributable to minority groups' failure to connect or assimilate with mainstream 'British' (white) culture. It drew on a study of teachers at a large English comprehensive multicultural school.
Source: Amanda Keddie, 'The politics of Britishness: multiculturalism, schooling and social cohesion', British Educational Research Journal, Volume 40 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jun
A new book examined the dual processes of ableism and disablism, and their relevance to a range of topics (including education, communities, and civil society).
Source: Dan Goodley, Dis/ability Studies: Theorising disablism and ableism, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Jun
A report said that people with disabilities across Europe were keen to participate in political life but legal, administrative, and accessibility barriers prevented some people from participating. The report said that the impact varied across the range of impairment types, and recommended actions to remove barriers and to improve the available data on participation levels.
Source: The Right to Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities, European Agency for Fundamental Rights
Links: Summary | FRA press release
Date: 2014-Apr
A report examined diversity in the workforce of London National Health Service Trusts, in the light of evidence about the impact of staff and Board diversity on the effectiveness of healthcare provision and the patient experience.
Source: Roger Kline, The 'Snowy White Peaks' of the NHS: A survey of discrimination in governance and leadership and the potential impact on patient care in London and England, Middlesex University Business School
Links: Report | Middlesex University press release | Nursing Times report
Date: 2014-Apr
A new book examined some of the conceptual questions that underpinned legal disputes in relation to equality and discrimination. Among these questions were the meaning of 'equality' as a legal concept and its relationship to the principle of non-discrimination; symmetrical and asymmetrical approaches to equality/non-discrimination; the role of comparators in discrimination/equality analysis; the selection of protected characteristics and the proper sphere of statutory and constitutional protections; and the scope for and regulation of potential conflicts between protected grounds. It also addressed a number of contemporary issues for discrimination/equality law, including the problem of racial profiling and the regulation of multiple discrimination.
Source: Aileen McColgan, Equality and Discrimination, Hart Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Apr
A new book examined the development of antidiscrimination policy in Europe. It discussed the role of the European institutions and key societal actors in the passage of the Racial Equality Directive in 2000, the development of European Union directives into national law, and the implementation of antidiscrimination policy. The book argued that the processes were affected by the slower rate of European integration in the early 2000s, as well as political pressure from more conservative governments.
Source: Terri Givens and Rhonda Evans Case, Legislating Equality: The politics of antidiscrimination policy in Europe, Oxford University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Apr
A new book examined the relationship between interculturalism and multiculturalism as policy approaches for managing cultural diversity. It aimed to clarify the concepts and to facilitate a comparison of the policy implications of the two approaches. Chapters included:
Ulrich Bunjes, The Intercultural Milestone: The history of the Council of Europe s White Paper on intercultural dialogue
Robin Wilson, The Urgency of Intercultural Dialogue in a Europe of Insecurity
Ted Cantle, Interculturalism as a New Narrative for the Era of Globalisation and Super-diversity
Nasar Meer and Tariq Modood, Interacting Interculturalism with Multiculturalism: Observations on theory and practice
Source: Martyn Barrett (ed.), Interculturalism and Multiculturalism: Similarities and differences, Council of Europe
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Jan