Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Diversity in a Post-Brexit and pandemic Britain

Since Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016, evidence has emerged around new forms of inequality which often exacerbate existing social, economic and political injustices (Virdee & McGeever, 2018). The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further highlighted stark disparities in health experiences among ethnic-minority groups in Britain (Ogbonna, 2020, Pareek et al, 2020). Thousands were plunged into unemployment or being furloughed. The uneven economic impact is felt ever more sharply by certain socio-economic groups (Bracke et al, 2021; Platt, 2021) and furloughed ethnic minorities and younger workers were hit hardest by job losses (The Resolution Foundation 2020). At the same time, challenging conversations about race, racism and decolonialising the curriculum ensued in the wake of global Black Lives Matter protests after the public murder of George Floyd. Post-Brexit Britain has also heightened politicisation and media attention around migration particularly via the treacherous Channel crossings made by those seeking refuge and asylum. Recently, the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven forced displacement to new levels. Yet, the Nationality and Borders Bill seeks new powers to remove citizenship without notice, making sanctuary seeking in the UK even more difficult than ever (and even outsourcing refugees to the Rwandan government). If there were lessons to be learned as we emerge from the pandemic, are we returning to a more equal, diverse and inclusive workplace? Are our institutions in the education, health/social care and criminal justice system better equipped and more culturally competent in serving the needs of a superdiverse population? What are the political stakes of the State refusing to acknowledge definitions of Islamophobia and institutional racism? What does the new normal look like in a post-Brexit pandemic Britain?

This Research Topic aims to bring together a diverse range of perspectives to examine the challenges and opportunities posed by migration and ethnic/racial inequalities in this new context. While the primary focus is on the lived experiences of individuals and communities, the sociocultural dynamics against the broader historical, structural and institutional injustices are very much at the heart of new investigations.

We invite both theoretical and empirical submissions focusing on one or more of (but not limited to) the following themes:
• Renewed hostility towards immigrants and asylum seekers
• Brexit: Loss of free EU movement and Austerity
• The impact of recent legislations such as the Nationality and Borders Bill, Domestic Abuse Bill, Police and Crime Bill upon human rights, race equality and free speech
• New forms of post-Brexit international and regional migration and mobilities
• The effects of COVID-19 and mental/physical health inequalities among Black and minority ethnic communities
• Long-term economic impact of Brexit and/or the pandemic on ethnic minorities
• New perspectives on the intersectional dynamics of racial, ethnic and religious inequalities e.g. islamophobia, LGBTQ+ and disability
• Race, racism and Black Lives Matter
• Sexual and gender-based violence against migrant women and girls
• Changes and continuities in human trafficking and modern slavery
• Cultural competence in health and social care
• Inclusive leadership and EDI in the Workplace
• Anti-racist and inclusive curriculums in education
• Political stakes of the State’s refusal to acknowledge institutional racism and Islamophobia