An article examined the definition of poverty. It questioned a measure suggested by Nolan and Whelan that had identified respondents as being in poverty when they experienced both a low standard of living (as measured by deprivation indicators) and a lack of resources (as measured by a low-income line), with the two measures requiring an equal weight. It said that material deprivation, rather than the low-income measure, was particularly effective in identifying individuals at risk of multiple forms of deprivation, but argued that there was a need to advance the measurement of material deprivation beyond its 'relatively rudimentary' state.
Source: Rod Hick, 'On "consistent" poverty', Social Indicators Research, Volume 118 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Sep
A special issue of a journal examined a range of issues related to educational inclusion.
Source: British Journal of Sociology of Education, Volume 35 Issue 5
Links: Table of contents
Notes: Articles included:
Wayne Veck, 'Disability and inclusive education in times of austerity'
Mairtin Mac an Ghaill and Chris Haywood, 'Pakistani and Bangladeshi young men: re-racialization, class and masculinity within the neo-liberal school'
Kate D'Arcy, 'Home education, school, Travellers and educational inclusion'
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined issues of citizenship for young people with learning disabilities. The article looked at the further education, training, and employment experiences of a group of 20 young people as they negotiated the transition to adulthood.
Source: Gillian MacIntyre, 'The potential for inclusion: young people with learning disabilities experiences of social inclusion as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood', Journal of Youth Studies, Volume 17 Number 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Aug
An article examined conflicting perceptions of the purpose of credit unions, and discussed the consequences for using voluntary mutualism as a means to address social inclusion.
Source: Stephen Sinclair, 'Credit union modernisation and the limits of voluntarism', Policy & Politics, Volume 42 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Aug
An article examined the use of city centre spaces by people with learning disabilities. It said that few of the study participants had independent access to the city centre, and many raised concerns over personal safety. When they did visit, most took people to support them and visited for pre-planned purposes. The article said that appropriate support was a prominent issue, and that there was a need to re-assess the meaning of social inclusion for people with learning disabilities.
Source: Alex McClimens, Nick Partridge, and Ed Sexton, 'How do people with learning disability experience the city centre? A Sheffield case study', Health and Place, Volume 28 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Aug
An article examined the influence of mobile technologies on social exclusion, and the impact of two distinct approaches by local government to providing access to local support and services. It concluded the evidence suggested that, in order to maximize the success and benefit of new technology, it was important first to understand and address existing information needs and barriers, such as literacy and information technology literacy, and social-emotional issues.
Source: Kieran Mervyn, Anoush Simon, and David Allen, 'Digital inclusion and social inclusion: a tale of two cities', Information, Communication & Society, Volume 17 Issue 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jul
A report examined the role of cities in addressing poverty and social exclusion. It discussed whether and how it was possible to develop policies and strategies to address such issues, while promoting cities' creativity and economic dynamism and adhering to the principles of 'good urban governance'.
Source: The Inclusive City: Approaches to combat urban poverty and social exclusion in Europe, European Urban Knowledge Network
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Jul
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 lives and experiences of young people not in education, employment, or training, drawing on a longitudinal study of young people in the north of England. It argued that the issues could only be fully understood through the concept of marginalization, and considered the implications of the research for practitioners and policymakers.
Source: Robin Simmons, Ron Thompson, and Lisa Russell, Education, Work and Social Change: Young people and marginalisation in post-industrial Britain, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2014-Jun
A think-tank report considered alternatives to high-cost, short-term loans (or payday lending) for people without access to mainstream credit. The report recommended the establishment of a new national institution, funded initially by a one-off levy on the consumer credit market, to mobilize and capitalize a diverse range of new local, not-for-profit lenders and to incentivize saving among low-income families. The report also made recommendations for good practice for payday lenders.
Source: Mathew Lawrence and Graeme Cooke, Jumping the Shark: Building institutions to spread access to affordable credit, Institute for Public Policy Research
Links: Report | IPPR press release | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2014-Apr
An article examined a qualitative study involving young men in Northern Ireland aged 14-19 experiencing particular forms of exclusion. It said that the findings revealed a range of unmet social and psychological needs, the impact of sectarianism and segregation, and a paucity of support systems.
Source: Janeet Rondon, Karen Galway, Gerard Leavey, and James Campbell, 'Exploring the needs of socially excluded young men', Children & Society, Volume 28 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Mar
A report examined the impact on public health of a policy, introduced in London in 2005, of granting young people access to free bus and tram travel. It said that the scheme had benefits for social determinants of health, such as the normalization of bus travel, greater social inclusion, and opportunities for independent travel, and that it appeared to be a cost-effective means of contributing to social inclusion. It recommended further research.
Source: Judith Green, Rebecca Steinbach, Alasdair Jones, Phil Edwards, Charlotte Kelly, John Nellthorp, Anna Goodman, Helen Roberts, Mark Petticrew, and Paul Wilkinson, 'On the buses: a mixed-method evaluation of the impact of free bus travel for young people on the public health', Public Health Research, Volume 2 Issue 1
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Feb