ABOUT

This ADI Policy Forum looks at a recent study by British colleagues at the University of Huddersfield that critiques the ways in which the geographical clustering of ethnic communities in England’s northwest amidst various kinds of social and policy tensions has been used to drive narratives of multiculturalism’s supposed ‘failure’ in Great Britain. A key element in these narratives has been the upswing in racialised White resentment of ethnic minorities, manifested in part by heightened activism in the region by British far-right movements.

Following a presentation by Professor Paul Thomas, one of the study’s co-authors, the panel discussion will explore the issues raised by Prof. Thomas in comparative perspective.

Australia’s Cronulla riots and Bendigo Mosque protests, decades of anti-immigration discourse from both fringe and mainstream political quarters, a notable recent rise in Australian far-right extremist movements and mobilisation, and the differential treatment of ethnically clustered communities during COVID lockdowns arguably point to similar issues and tensions.

Yet multiculturalism remains a robust policy framework in Australia, class-based distinctions do not dominate public discourse despite growing socio-economic inequalities, and evidence for multicultural acceptance, evidenced by repeated Scanlon Survey findings, remains strong. What are the differences between the UK and Australia in this context, and what can we learn from each other’s public policy approaches and the lived experience of ethnically diverse communities?

This is an in-person event at Deakin Downtown. If you wish to tune in via Zoom webinar, please register here.

We welcome you to join us at 5.30 pm for refreshments prior to the forum commencing at 6:00 pm.

PANEL

Fethi Mansouri

Professor Mansouri holds the UNESCO Chair in comparative research on ‘Cultural Diversity and Social Justice’ and an Alfred Deakin Research Chair in migration and intercultural studies. Professor Mansouri is the Director of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University-Australia.

Robin Scott

Robin Scott is an experienced public policy practitioner, including service in the Victorian government as the Minister for Finance and Multicultural Affairs. He played a central role in the development of Victorian Government’s response to extremism, including the process that lead to the establishment of the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies.

Paul Thomas

Paul is Professor of Youth and Policy in the Huddersfield Centre for Research in Education and Society (HudCRES) at the University of Huddersfield, UK. Paul’s research studies how P/CVE and broader multiculturalist policies have been enacted by ground-level practitioners and experienced by communities. Paul’s recent book (with Miah and Sanderson) is ‘Race’, Space and Place in Northern England (Palgrave, 2020).

Soo-Lin Quek

Soo-Lin has over 25 years’ experience in the community and government sectors. She has managed significant policy and program areas in the Victorian Government. Her previous experience in the community sector ranges from managing community based organisations to policy and community development work in the youth, multicultural, health, family violence, human rights and public housing sectors.

Greg Barton

Prof Greg Barton is Research Professor at ADI. Greg is a regular media commentator on matters of national security and international affairs.

ADI POLICY FORUMS

The Alfred Deakin Institute Policy Forums aim to provide a high-profile platform for the Institute to bring together policy makers, researchers and community members for informed debate on important emerging policy issues. They foster informed debate, engage the public and provide research-led input to policy formation at national, State and regional levels.

Sign up to our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest ADI news and upcoming events.