Geographies of race: from anti-racism to multiculturalism in Scotland

Dr David Howard and Dr Jan Penrose

The proposed research project as a whole will investigate the ways in which cultural diversity and national identity are projected and perceived in a newly devolved Scotland. The influence of Scottish Executive in terms of anti-racist policy and practice is a key component of this study. The student will explore how greater political autonomy has been translated into distinctive views of what Scotland is, or ought to be. The key question is whether or not new political powers will reduce the need to assert a singular, uniform Scottish culture and open the door to greater recognition - and inclusion - of increasing cultural diversity within Scotland. Clearly, the answer to this question - the way in which Scotland is imagined - will have real implications for how citizenship is defined and exercised within Scotland. The proposed research will thus extend existing theories of race, nationalism and citizenship.

One way of starting to explore the impact of greater autonomy on self-definition is to focus on one very high profile campaign that links anti-racism with multiculturalism. This current campaign, initiated by the Scottish Executive and entitled 'One Scotland, Many Culture,' will form the starting point for assessing the efficacy of anti-racist policy in effecting social change. The overriding objectives of the proposed research are twofold:

• to analyse the motivations and substance of anti-racist policy and practice in Scotland
• to assess the implications of changing self-definition to definitions and practices of citizenship.

The student will receive research training in human geography and social and political studies. The project is appropriate for applicants with a background in human geography or related social science disciplines.