PGR/ECR Virtual Discussion Group – Unpacking Experiences of Racism in Rural England
Wednesday 30 April 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm BST, online (UK)
Dr Rachel Keighley (she/they) – University of Leicester
Title: Unpacking experiences of racism in rural England.
In criminological thought and practice, as hate crime scholars, we seek to amplify the voices and experiences of the marginalised and unheard. Meanwhile, criminology, wider social practice, and indeed, society is built upon hierarchical structures which allocate particular identities as inferior.
Drawing from empirical research, The Rural Racism Project: Towards an Inclusive Countryside, seeks to decolonise knowledge production and access to green spaces though re-storying and centring the voices and experiences of people of colour living in and visiting rural spaces in England. Comprised of up to 100 conversations, this paper demonstrates that the topic of rural racism has been largely peripheral to academic studies and yet remains a relevant and under-acknowledged reality within the English countryside. The findings presented will develop insights into how racism is experienced in rural settings, what form it takes, where it occurs, and its range of physical, emotional, and behavioural impacts on individual victims, their families, and wider communities. This will shape our frameworks for conceptualising ‘difference’ and racist victimisation in more nuanced terms. At a time when national conversations about race and national identity are again fraught with tension and division, this project provides a compelling evidence-base to underpin an informed public discussion which will be enriched through the centring of minority ethnic voices.
Bio:
Dr Rachel Keighley (she/they) is the Chair of the British Society of Criminology Hate Crime Network and Research Associate in Criminology at the University of Leicester.
Rachel recently earned her PhD specialising in online hate targeting LGBTQ+ young people. Their work focuses on the harms of every day hate, our understanding of identity and difference, and how we can best respond to online hate through policy, practice and activism.
Rachel has experience in civic engagement and policy impact, having worked as a Policy Impact Officer for the Civic University Agreement between De Montfort University, Loughborough University, and the University of Leicester.
Rachel is currently working on The Rural Racism Project: Towards an Inclusive Countryside. The aims of the project include capturing how racism is experienced by people from ethnic minority backgrounds living in and visiting rural spaces in England. To this end, the project will explore the forms this racism takes, where it occurs, and investigate the ways it impacts on individuals, their families, and the wider communities, since understanding these processes provides vital information which can help to create more inclusive countryside environments.
Rachel promotes their work on Twitter(@rachel_keighley) and via her LinkedIn profile.
About this discussion group:
This discussion group is part of the BSC Hate Crime Network, and has been designed to create a supportive space for PGRs and ECRs who are researching within the broad area of hate studies. PGRs could include students studying at MA and doctoral level, and ECRs includes those researchers who are within five years of receiving their doctorate (this is flexible depending on personal circumstances). The group brings PGRs and ECRs together to share their research projects, discuss methodological issues, and consider best practices when researching sensitive topics.
The group will touch upon, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Working with and supporting victims
- Managing the sensitivity of hate studies research
- Ethical issues
- Working with policy-makers and practitioners
- Creative and inclusive research methods
- Our responsibility as researchers
- Working with perpetrators of hate crime
In addition to these discussions, the group will also organise occasional training sessions with more experienced researchers. These training sessions could cover some of the above, but please get in touch if there are any particular areas that you would benefit from. These sessions will be led by an experienced researcher within the area of hate studies, but there will continue to be an emphasis on open discussion and Q&A. All sessions will run online (unless otherwise stated) via Zoom. These will be bi-monthly on a Wednesday afternoon lasting 1 hour (2-3pm). Presenters will speak for approximately 25 minutes, and this will be followed by a discussion.
If you would like to present at one of these discussion groups, please contact Leah Burch (burchl@hope.ac.uk @LeahFBurch) with a short bio and abstract. This does not need to be detailed but should give a broad overview of a potential topic/issue/method that you would like to discuss. Alternatively, if you have a theme/question that you would like discuss or for a training session, please get in touch.
To stay up to date with these events and access joining details, please ensure that you follow the British Society of Criminology Hate Crime Network on Twitter @BscHcn and are subscribed to our JISCmail account https://t.co/E0KNH46fSa?amp=1
Find more information and book your free place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bschatecrimenetwork/1310540?