This study explores how the immigration status of the 'asylum seeker' impacts upon notions of 'identity', 'community' and 'belonging' whilst claiming asylum in the UK. By taking a narrativedialogical approach this research explores the stories that have been constructed around 'asylum' by policy, those working with 'asylum seekers' and 'asylum seekers' themselves. This research looks at how the 'official' narratives of asylum are operationalised and delivered by workers contracted to implement government policy. The study also explores how those making a claim for asylum narrate their lives whilst living in dispersal sites in one region of the UK with particular focus paid to exploring how asylum and dispersal impacts upon 'identity' and 'belonging'. The data for this project was generated in three phases. In the first phase of data generation ten asylum support managers participated in semi-structured interviews. These managers worked for local authorities in the Region planning the strategy and delivery of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) policies to 'asylum seekers' accommodated locally. The second phase of the research also included workers involved in delivering NASS support but in a service delivery role. Twenty-two people from across the Region were invited to attend three separate focus groups. The third and final phase of the research involved the participation of ten 'asylum seekers', living in dispersal sites across the Region, in lengthy narrative interviews. The data was analysed using narrative analytical techniques informed by the work of Clandinin and Connelly (2000) and Riessman (2004) around thematic narrative analysis and guided by the theory of 'dialogism' (Bakhtin, 1981). The research revealed that integrating a narrative-dialogical approach to understanding the casylum' experience has allowed space for a piece of research that appears to 'fit' into the fife worlds of the 'asylum seeker'. Moving toward a theoretical stance of dialogism has made it possible to explore an alternative way in which the production of narratives relate to both the personal and the social world of the individual. Rather than discounting the possibility that conflict and contradiction can exist in personal narratives simultaneously this research has shown that by taking a narrative-dialogical approach embraces the schizophrenic quality that appears to punctuate the narratives of exiles and 'asylum seekers'. The research has also shown that those contracted to operationalise and deliver NASS support to asylum seekers are not reduced to simple ventriloquists in the support process. Instead what has emerged are support service workers that take a creative and active role in interpreting their 'roles' to be conducive with the perceived needs of their organisation, the 'community' and the 'asylum seeker'. Narrating their work as a 'quest' support service workers can be seen as active and often 'heroic' in the way in which they act as a 'buffer' between the policies designed by NASS and the asylum seekers they support. By using Bakhtin's notion of authoritative and internally persuasive discourse (Bakhtin, 1981), support service workers can be seen to be adhering to components of the 'official' or authoritative discourse whilst at the same time transforming other components that are not seen as internally persuasive. From the narrative accounts generated with 'asylum seekers' it emerged that conflict and contradiction appeared to confound their attempts to produce narrative coherence. This conflict and contradiction appeared to suggest a good deal of psychological tension as 'asylum seekers' attempted to narrate; feelings of belonging, the balance between security and uncertainty and their feelings of 'home' and identity. What appeared was a dialogical quality to their narrative accounts which emphasised simultaneity but due to their restricted inunigration status did not have the 'privilege' of being both/and. Rather what emerged was a dialogical structure that can be seent o be characterisedb y the tension of being 'in between' but being 'neither/nor'. Such a position restricts the ability to 'move and mix' (Hermans and Kempen, 1998) in their new milieu as they are held in stasis and limbo by the multiple voices spoken by the 'asylum system'.

This research provides a sociological understanding of front line hospitality staff, focusing particularly on waiters and pursers that are employed on cruise ships. Its purpose is to evaluate the complexities and richness of their work and social experiences as they negotiate, create and justify their identities and community formations in the unique and under-researched environment of a cruise ship. Conceptually, the research investigates the inevitable and inextricable links between identity, work and community to explore their perceptions of themselves, others and their world. To comprehend some of the complexity of work and life, the study uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods through online questionnaires and interviews. The methods used are both guided and to some extent restricted because of the lack of co-operation from the firms involved towards carrying out research on cruise ship workers. An online questionnaire, able to reach a mobile and transient population, is exploratory and descriptive in focus offering a preliminary opportunity to highlight key indicators of relationships and patterns in a field where there has been little research. To further develop understanding, data was gathered from twenty semi structured interviews and was analysed thematically and metaphorically. The broader thematic analysis identified how space, time and the system of the ship had an impact upon one‟s occupation and relationships, while the deeper metaphor analysis was able to creatively gather an “insider‟s” view of the participant‟s work, community and cruise ship environment. What is clear, from this study, is that all participants created a ship-based identity, which was different from how they perceived themselves on land. Being an environment that is unique, workers have to adapt, adopt and sacrifice - their previous identity has to be reshaped to meet the criteria of the place and system of the ship. Waiters were significantly more likely to define themselves and their world based upon their occupational perceptions and relationship with management, while pursers reflected upon their social and personal opportunities as a tool for self definition. The outcomes of the research present an exploratory, in-depth account of the working lives of hospitality workers on cruise ships. The findings will be of value and relevance to cruise ship operators when tackling social issues relating to the employment of cruise ship workers.

The Conservative government applied restrictive immigration policies on people from the Indian sub-continent (Pakistan, India and Bangladesh) on a large scale during the 1980s for reasons which have been depicted as economic, political, and nationalistic. The Conservative party under Thatcher made immigration control one of its main themes in the 1979 Conservative Manifesto. This thesis looks at the repercussions of Thatcher's immigration policy for people from the Indian sub-continent living in Glasgow. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, the thesis will argue that Thatcher's immigration policy amounted to discrimination as Indian sub-continent nationals, especially males, suffered unfairly when the policy was implemented. Evidence of this unfairness was implicit in: the various rules and laws which contained elements of discrimination; and evidence from the organisation network in Glasgow which revealed that they had to deal with extra work and with more contentious cases during the 1980s. The impact on individuals was most strongly exemplified by a survey and by individual case studies which revealed problems such as provocative questioning, application of stringent criteria to satisfy the authorities, and the break-up and separation of families who were prevented from being reunited, in some cases even temporarily, by the actions of the authorities. The fact is that no account was taken of the clinical characteristics of the Indian sub-continent which clashed in particular with the primary purpose rule which the authorities applied rigorously. While it is acknowledged that other groups of blacks and coloured immigrants also suffered from the Conservative immigration regime, it will be noted that the impact was most severe on immigrants from the Indian sub-continent. The tough policy on immigration only served to encourage more clandestine means of entry into the United Kingdom, and this gave the government a further pretext to impose more controls on immigration from the Indian sub continent. It has to be emphasised that the extent of the restrictive immigration control regime will be measured not simply in terms of numbers allowed entry but also the procedures used such as the type of questions asked, interviewing techniques and manners, and various provisions made in legislative acts which served against potential immigrants from the Indian sub-continent.

The motivation for this research is based on the very serious problem – local identity loss of village extensions in the Chinese ordinary villages. During the new development of Chinese ordinary villages, international concrete blocks and multi-storey apartments, which have been mass-produced in urban areas, are simply copied into rural areas replacing the local distinctive built environment. The author of this thesis set out to rethink the design principles of new urbanism in a way which can help create an urban/village extension of a town or a village to respect local identity or local context. Therefore, the research question is that ‘Can the design principles of new urbanism promote local identity or harmony with local context for urban/village extension? By reviewing the primary theories and ideas, the literature review draws upon primary sources of new urbanism including introduction and design principles which underlies a fundamental theoretical framework of design principles of new urbanism, and the overall view of the practice. Once the framework of design principles of new urbanism have been established in this research, it is essential to test it through case studies. The purpose of case studies is to identify if the design principles of new urbanism can promote local identity or harmony with local context in practice. Two UK cases, Poundbury and Upton were selected and analysed. During case studies, the interview plays an important role in modifying the design principles of new urbanism which direct the analysis of the physical environments of Poundbury and Upton. The initial outcomes are expected to confirm that the design principles of new urbanism could promote local identity or harmony with local context based on the case study findings. In order to further investigate these outcomes, factual information was collected through questionnaires administered face-to-face and on-the-spot to the residents of Poundbury and Upton. The findings of the questionnaire provided strong investigated evidence along with the initial outcomes addressed by literature review and the case studies. Finally, it can be concluded that the design principles of new urbanism are appropriate to promote local identity or harmony with local context for creating an urban/village extension. Keywords: urban/village extension, design principles of new urbanism, local identity, harmony with local context.

This thesis examines the extent to which equal opportunity legislation has enabled employment policies that aid the development, progression and promotion among public sector employees, specifically those of Afro Caribbean origin, employed during the period between 1988 and 2004. As context, the first part of the thesis presents an historical background of the black presence in the UK and the hostility they experienced through racial discrimination. It considers how governments, politicians and social scientists viewed the social exclusion and disadvantage of ethnic minorities generally and their treatment in the labour market in particular. It also discusses relevant legislation, policies and practices that were developed to address racial discrimination. Drawing on methodologies used in research of similar nature and reviewing literature and research studies, a methodology was chosen that was appropriate for the study and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is used. The quantitative data presented in Chapters 7-8 is derived from responses to a questionnaire survey, supplemented by more detailed qualitative responses derived from face to face interviews with employees from participating organisations. Other methods are used only to a very limited extent to supplement the data derived from the questionnaires and interviews. Chapter 9 contains data collected from a separate exercise of a shortened questionnaire on diversity only, consisting of staff from one government department and focus groups from two business streams. The second part of the thesis presents the chosen methodology and analyses evidence collected between 1999 and 2004. Survey data, in depth one-to-one interviews and group interviews show that although progress has been made in combating racial discrimination, the policy of positive action is not a routine tool of organisational policy. An examination of employment practices and processes in the relevant organisations indicates that there exists a combination of organisational, group (subculture) and individual constraints on ethrýc minorities to rise to their full potential. The theoretical view argues that there has been a retreat from progressive equal opportunity policies in employment and this owes much to the policies of the government of the day and organisational procedures. These assumptions have been borne out empirically.

This thesis explores competing meanings of being a woman in Dakar, Senegal. Above all, it is concerned with the relationship between livelihoods – how ordinary Dakarois make ends meet – and women’s gendered identities. It explores the full spectrum of Dakar women’s economic activities, all the while keeping the definition of what, precisely, qualifies as ‘economic’ or as ‘work’ as open as possible. Distancing itself from approaches that privilege the sexual aspects of gender, this thesis asks what kinds of gendered economic identities emerge in the context of the various roles and relationships that constitute women’s everyday lives. What do women do that enables people in this society to get by and to secure their day-­‐to-­‐day needs? How are these activities experienced, and what kind of values are they imbued with? Based on three years’ fieldwork in low-­‐income neighbourhoods across the Dakar region, the thesis advances an ethnographic analysis of women’s roles as wives and girlfriends, sisters and sisters-­‐in-­‐law, daughters, mothers and grandmothers, and members of extended family and community networks. It explores women’s activities as dependents, consumers, providers and informal-­‐sector workers. Together, the chapters shed light on the complexities and contradictions involved in being a woman in this particular part of the world. Building on the ethnographic findings, this thesis argues that it is possible to identify two distinct, even competing conceptions of being a woman in Dakar. One of these can be framed in terms of ‘materialism’, the other around the emic concept of ‘mothering work’. Dakar women, this thesis suggests, draw on both in order to create, defend and challenge the meaning and the value of their everyday experiences.

The introduction of the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) programme in Scotland in 1999 emerged as part of policy commitment to achieving social inclusion. The significance of this policy context to the SIP programming came through the move within urban policy programmes from focusing solely on tackling urban deprivation to also target resources towards rural and coalfield areas and socially excluded groups. With this change in approach came an explicit commitment to tackling the social exclusion experienced by young people at both the neighbourhood and local authority levels. Within this policy context, this study set out to compare the approach adopted by one thematic SIP (the Big Step) and one area-based SIP (Drumchapel SIP) to promoting social inclusion for young people. Using a care study methodology, data was collected using a combination of interviews with SIP stakeholders, young people and a range of external ‘experts’, supported by analysis of SIP documents and observation of SIP meetings and other formal events. Three key themes frame the focus of this study. First, an investigation of the theoretical and policy influences steering the approach taken within the case study SIPs to achieve social inclusion for young people illustrates a clear theoretical and policy framework driving the work of the SIPs influenced by concerns to achieve social inclusion by promoting a mixture of rights and responsibilities for excluded groups. The result is an explicit programme of work to promote social integration through active participation in society and the economy. Alongside this, however, emerges an implicit concern with managing the individual and social costs of young people’s exclusion from labour market and other socially acceptable activities in order to reduce the problems associated with young people. Second, the practice of the case study SIPs was compared across three key areas: the working practices of the SIPs in responding to the agenda on ‘strategic working’; the views of respondents on the relative value of working in partnership; and the involvement of young people within the decision-making structures of the SIPs. Clear distinctions in the practices of the case study SIPs were identified. This provided an opportunity to reflect on the relative contribution made by area-based and thematic SIPs to the promotion of social inclusion for young people, and from this to review the wider applicability of the findings from the case study SIPs as the third theme of the study. Extrapolating trends emerging from the case study SIPs, the study concludes that both types of SIP contribute towards promoting the social inclusion of young people, with area-based SIPs addressing the social exclusion of young people within the wider community context and thematic SIPs foregrounding the interests of young people.

No description available.

This thesis is an ethnography of how individuals experience urban change and difference on a south London street. My research focuses on the contemporary increase in cultural and ethnic diversity in London, and I explore what this means for social life and shared space on the Walworth Road. The purpose is to observe and interpret the forms of contact and distance people develop in living with difference in their everyday lives. I use a mixture of official, archival and ethnographic data to contrast how individuals transgress or re-inscribe social and spatial boundaries, and how systems of power authorise boundaries between people and places. I also combine ethnographic and visual methods to analyse and illustrate the layers of place, time and experience that are invoked by narratives of change on the Walworth Road. Although my thesis connects the global and local impacts of change, I select the small independent shops along the Walworth Road as the base of my exploration. Within a selection of shop interiors, I explore forms of social contact that are locally constituted through regular, face-to-face interaction, and through shared spaces and practices that engage people across diverse spectrums. I analyse the relationships between proprietors and customers: between workspaces and work skills and social spaces and social skills. Through this empirical process, I emphasise the social and political significance of ordinary spaces and informal memberships that emerge out of everyday contact in neither overtly public, nor overtly private space. This thesis has been edited into a book form to be released by Routledge in May 2012, the title of which is ‘City, Street and Citizen: The measure of the ordinary’.

Background: The mixed race child population is growing proportionately faster than any other group. Whilst there is a body of research in this country, albeit small, that looks at the experiences of mixed race children, none of this research examines specifically the risks for mental health and the possibilities for developing resilience which may be related to growing up as a mixed race child. Methods: Twenty-one adults, recruited through the internet, were asked to reflect on their childhood experiences in relation to being mixed race. They were offered a choice of response methods. The majority chose to provide a written account. A thematic analysis was carried out, within a phenomenological framework. A further analysis was undertaken to assess whether risks to mental health or opportunities to develop resilience could be identified in the findings from the phenomenological analysis using known risk and resilience factors relating to the mental health of children and young people. Results: The data show that there are some additional risks to the mental health of mixed race young people. As well as difficulties experienced in establishing personal identity, they show that there are specific difficulties in secondary school and that young people of mixed race experience racism and prejudice from both black and white peers. The data indicate a capacity for building resilience, necessitated by their mixedness, linked to supportive families. Conclusions: The overarching findings from this study mirror many of those from other mixed race studies. However this study shows how mixed race young people may experience some additional risks to mental health which need to be understood and considered by professionals in health, social care, education and justice systems.