Projects & Themes

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Identity and race

Understanding issues of race and identity in modern Britain and celebrating inclusive national identities in which we can all take pride.

Race is a prominent theme in an increasingly diverse Britain.  British Future’s in-depth attitudes research seeks to increase understanding of ethnic minority and white British perspectives on our changing society – to inform efforts to advance race equality that can mobilise broad coalitions for equal opportunities.  We promote shared identities that can challenge and defuse efforts to divide our society.

Race can involve difficult conversations – but we need to become more confident talking about it. British Future offers practical advice to institutions in politics and business, education and civic society interested in how constructive conversations about race can lead to positive change.

This must be a year when talk turns into action on race

This must be a year when talk turns into action on race Date: 22 July 2020

This must be a year when talk turns into action on race, writes Sunder Katwala, discussing the government’s new Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.

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Have attitudes on race changed since Stephen Lawrence?

Have attitudes on race changed since Stephen Lawrence? Date: 17 July 2020

Sunder Katwala examines ITV polling asking what, if anything, has changed on race in the UK since Stephen Lawrence’s murder

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Talking more, not less, about history can defuse a culture war

Talking more, not less, about history can defuse a culture war Date: 12 June 2020

Sunder Katwala on why talking more about our history, and how we commemorate it, could help defuse a ‘culture war’ – not start one.

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‘Diversity milestone’ as one in ten MPs now from an ethnic minority background.

‘Diversity milestone’ as one in ten MPs now from an ethnic minority background. Date: 13 December 2019

The 2019 General Election sees Britain elect its most diverse Parliament ever.

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England 6 Racism 0

England 6 Racism 0 Date: 15 October 2019

As England’s black footballers face racist chanting from Bulgarian fans, what needs to happen to root racism out of football?

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The People’s Centenary: Tracking public attitudes to the First World War centenary

The People’s Centenary: Tracking public attitudes to the First World War centenary Date: 2 April 2019

The First World War tracker has examined public attitudes and knowledge of the First World War centenary since 2012, exploring key themes from awareness of key facts and dates about the First World War to sources of information and public attitudes to the tone of the centenary commemorations.

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50th anniversary cheers for Wolverhampton, not for Enoch

50th anniversary cheers for Wolverhampton, not for Enoch Date: 22 April 2018

Steve Ballinger finds out how Wolverhampton has remembered – and forgotten – the 50th anniversary of ‘that speech’ by its former MP.

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Enoch was wrong: How Britain moved on from ‘Rivers of Blood’

Enoch was wrong: How Britain moved on from ‘Rivers of Blood’ Date: 16 April 2018

Fifty years on from Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, Britain has largely moved on from Powell’s divisive views on race, says new research

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As WW1 centenary approaches it’s important to mention the war

As WW1 centenary approaches it’s important to mention the war Date: 17 November 2013

In British Future’s latest report, Do Mention The War, we highlight why the first world war remains a pivotal cultural reference point for understanding the last century and how it shaped the country we have become today. It draws on original research into what the public know and don’t know about the first world war, why they think next year’s centenary will matter and what they want it to be about.

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