1. Ethnic diversity in UK social science and public policy research Principal investigator on project: Dr. Sarah Salway Workshop leader: Dr. Peter Allmark, Sheffield Hallam University

2. Introduction Ethnic diversity in UK social science and public policy research: a consultation and development exercise to produce guidelines for sound scientific and ethical practice. Joseph Rowntree Foundation

3. Research team Principal investigator on project: Dr. Sarah Salway (Sheffield Hallam University) Research team: Professor George Ellison (St George's, London), Dr. Richard Tutton (University of Lancaster) Dr. Gina Higginbottom (University of Alberta), and Professor Kate Gerrish (SHU) Dr. Peter Allmark (SHU)

4. Workshop aims To help participants clarify their own ideas and beliefs concerning ethnicity and social science research using discussion methods focused around vignettes; To discuss whether guidelines for social science and public policy research would be a feasible and useful outcome of the JRF project.

5. Workshop structure Brief background to the project Group work – using vignettes

6. Background to project 1. UK = multi-ethnic society 13% Not White-British 9% Non-white [Black: Caribbean/African/Other; Indian; Pakistani; Bangladeshi; Other. (UK Census 2001)

7. 2. UK = Unequal society along ethnic lines Risks of poverty are highest for Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Black Africans, but are also above average for Caribbean, Indian and Chinese people. Over half of Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Black African children are growing up in poverty. Black Africans have very high rates of higher education qualifications, but also suffer from high rates of unemployment and poor occupational outcomes. There also appear to be 'ethnic penalties' in access to social security benefits and other financial support. (Source: Platt L [2007] Poverty and ethnicity in the UK)

8. 2 UK = unequal society along ethnic lines WhiteBlack Caribbean IndianPakistaniBangladeshi Age standardised percentages Men1723243436 Ratio1.001.351.412.002.12 Women1836304248 Ratio1.062.121.762.472.82 Source: Health Survey for England (1993–96).

9. 3. UK Policy makers required to tackle discrimination and inequality Race Relation (Amendment) Act 2000 –Discrimination by public authority "unlawful" –Public authorities charged with promoting equality of opportunity and good relations

10. 4. Therefore policy makers need the right evidence base 'Research, and those pursuing it, should respect the diversity of human society and conditions and the multi-cultural nature of society, Whenever relevant, it should take account of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, culture and religion in its design, undertaking and reporting. The body of research evidence available to policy makers should reflect the diversity of the population' (Para 2.2.7)' Research Governance Framework 2005

11. 5. But when and how? When should social science and public policy researchers take specific steps to include specific ethnic groups in their samples? When should they take steps to do a separate analysis of these groups? What helpful and unhelpful assumptions might underpin research in which ethnicity is a primary focus?