Maximising the Impact of Social Science

Research

Research Methods Festival 2010, Oxford

Nissa.Finney@manchester.ac.uk

Ludi.Simpson@manchester.ac.uk

• Present the evidence on population change and segregation, and in doing so challenge popular (mis)conceptions.

• Provide a text that was academically rigorous yet accessible, and therefore appropriate to academic and non-academic audiences.

• Ultimately to change the focus of debate on race and migration away from a pre-occupation with ethnic conflict.

a positive message based on evidence of more mixing not segregation

expertise

predisposed audiences

new insights

timing

collaboration

FIRM FOUNDATIONS

Challenging the myth that ‘Britain takes too many immigrants’

Challenging the myth that ‘So many minorities cannot be

integrated’

Challenging the myth that ‘Minorities do not want to

integrate’

Challenging the myth that ‘Britain is becoming a country of ghettos’

Challenging the myth of ‘Minority White Cities’

“The authors of this book are on a mission.”

Ted Cantle (2009) Journal of Social Policy

Trevor Phillips under fire for saying Britain is increasingly segregated (Guardian Online) Setting the record straight on immigration myths which divide us (Daily Mail Online)

Exposing myths of a segregated Britain (Socialist Worker)

Race experts: No ghettos in East Lancashire

(Lancashire Evening Telegraph)

'Myths' threaten racial harmony, say population experts (Asian

News)

Are poor, ‘ethnic' areas cages? (Globe and Mail)

I doubt whether either of these cloistered academics have walked down Manningham Road, Bradford, Audley Range, Blackburn or the heart of Leicester (the first city to exceed 50% ethnic population) after dark any night.…Simpson and Finney, you are naive in the extreme…but you are probably writing to satisfy your government paymasters, who need the immigrant vote to keep them in power, they are traitors to this country. (Political Watch, Darwen, Lancashire Telegraph Blog, 22 Jan 2009)

what a lying typical left  wing  gormless  looking  marxists  you  are  ludi  simpson  and  dr  nissa  finney with your typical there  are no asian ghettos  in lancashire, then you used the word  white ghettos  as if these areas have not been white for centurys  before  any immigrants arrived  in lancashire, what a typical  middle class  so  called  academic idiots  you are…. (Peter from Lancashire, by email, Feb 2009)

Ask these people to go and live in the Bastwell area of Blackburn, or in the Stoneyholme area of Burnley….Is there any point in taxpayers paying for the education of these people? (Tony Wales, Nelson, Lancashire Telegraph Blog, 22 Jan 2009)

http://mcincrisis.podomatic.com/

I just wanted to drop a quick line in appreciation of your book, which is much needed and hits the spot admirably. I don't know how many copies I can persuade the library to buy but it will be on several courses' reading lists. (Professor Chris Gaine, University of Chichester, 3rd March 2009)

It tells a good clear tale and sends an important message… I am busy recommending the book to all and sundry.(Professor, University of Oxford, 4th Feb 2009)

“[a] carefully constructed debunking of the statistical evidence marshalled by British opinion leaders in support of anti-immigrant ideology”

Fabos, 2010Journal of Ethnic and Racial Studies

www.ccsr.ac.uk/research/mrpd/RaceMigBook.html

Just dropping you a line to say how much I’m enjoying your book ‘Sleepwalking to Segregation?’  It’s an excellent book and the concise ‘mythbusters’ section in the back is also really useful! …. many thanks for your work which has been very helpful.

DavidNorth of England Refugee Service

Do we think the book has fulfilled its purpose?

Yes Debate has moved on from preoccupations with ghettos and segregation.Yes The book seems to have reached a broad audience and people have been stimulated by it.Yes The style and form of the book seem to have worked as intended.

No The myths persist, albeit not so easily among senior policy and research staff.

What we’d do again

• Ensure a strong story and appropriate timing

• Ensure rigorous analysis that can sustain scrutiny

• Think carefully about how to present the material

• Get feedback• Provide a summary

chapter• Work closely with media

experts

What we’d do differently

• Lay more foundations for promotion including a debate with the myth makers

• Allocate more time and resources to promoting the book

• Make promotion of the book part of early discussions with the (potential) publisher