What James set out to do

This qualitative project intended to explore the personal histories, lived experiences, challenges and policy needs of people experiencing economic disadvantage and inequality in Scotland. With the help of charities working in the field, including the Poverty Alliance, the Black Triangle Campaign and Inclusion Scotland, James set out to engage individuals from various groups that are impacted by socioeconomic disadvantage and inequalities relating to health, education, housing, disability, gender and/or race.

The project aimed to illuminate the extent and limits of common experiences of inequality among these distinct, if often overlapping, groups, while interrogating the factors that have contributed to these inequalities – from deindustrialisation, austerity and ‘welfare reform’ to issues around integration and unequal access to education, training, employment and housing.

How it went:

The recruitment of interviewees got off to a fairly swift start during early 2021, despite the fact that Scotland had by then entered its second lock-down, but opportunities slowed as the pandemic continued. However, with the support and reach of James’ partners, he got back on track later in the year.

Several of the participants also contributed written testimonials of their background, present-day lives, routines and challenges, as well as their perspective on the (in)adequacy of policy responses to the drivers and symptoms of their (often multiple) disadvantages.

Outcomes & Next Steps:

As well as building a project website, James will present his findings at the forthcoming, PSA Media and Politics specialist group conference on 15 December and at the PSA Annual Conference next year.

James is hoping to convene a dissemination event of his early findings and observations early in the new year, inviting all of those interviewed and the partner organisations to take part James will also explore opportunities to publish his findings including with PSA journals.

The exploratory findings generated by this project have encouraged James to view it as a pilot for further studies and is busy writing research grant applications for UK-wide projects.