Ethnic Minorities
Providing evidence on race and social cohesion issues
Ipsos MORI's Ethnic Minority and Social Cohesion research unit specialises in conducting high quality and innovative research among a diverse range of audiences, including ethnic minority groups and other minority communities, such as refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants. Many of our projects involve exploring sensitive subject areas: for example we have conducted a large amount of research among different faith groups, including British Muslims.
We are at the heart of providing evidence on issues of race and social cohesion for national and local government, government agencies, local partnerships, and other not-for-profit organisations. We are a multi-disciplinary team, with expertise across the range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including a wealth of experience in deliberative and engagement work. The breadth of our experience means we have a detailed understanding on how to research minority groups, who are often excluded or under-represented in wider research, effectively and sensitively. Our large and diverse face-to-face and telephone fieldforce can cover a range of languages and have years of experience of interviewing minority groups.
Our research is creative, analytical and actionable, and provides robust and detailed evidence for policy makers across the board. Our expertise goes much further than simply doing the research and delivering the results. We aim to provide a much broader understanding; looking at complex issues such as attitudes towards new migrant communities and how this impacts on perceptions of access to public services. Our recent research for the Commission on Integration and Cohesion shows that while the public is very positive about race relations in the UK and enjoy its diversity, there are real concerns about migration and how this impacts on access to public services. This view is fairly consistent among all sectors of the population, regardless of race.
We have also developed insightful analysis on how the nature of place affects people's attitudes. For instance, our work in local government shows that in areas of greater ethnic diversity, satisfaction with the local area and public service providers tends to be lower. This analysis can be used widely to explore issues around community spirit and social cohesion.
A few examples of our recent work are given below, but we would be happy to talk to you about your needs and objectives.
Public Attitudes Towards Cohesion & Integration. We worked closely with the Commission on Integration and Cohesion to conduct a large scale survey of public opinion. The study involved a number of booster surveys among ethnic minorities, people living in areas that have seen a recent increase in Eastern European migration, and areas that have experienced recent far right activity. The survey explored issues towards immigration, values, access to public services and the extent to which people mix with people from different backgrounds.
Slough Crime Study. This study was conducted on behalf of the Safer Slough Partnership. We carried out a series of focus groups among Polish and Somali residents in Slough. The aim of the study was to look at issues around crime committed by and against these communities, as well as wider issues around integration, cohesion and access to services.
Race Relations 2006. We carried out a quantitative and qualitative research programme on behalf of the Commission for Racial Equality to inform their Race Convention. A survey exploring attitudes towards diversity, immigration and race relations was conducted among the general public and ethnic minority groups. In addition, we conducted a series of focus groups to explore issues around identity and Britishness.
Young People & Britishness. This large scale project on behalf of the Camelot Foundation explored young people's notions of national identity. It included a quantitative study of 500 young people (aged 16-21 years) and an extensive qualitative element with discussion groups, semiotic analysis and pre-tasking conducted with six mixed ethnicity and ethnic minority groups and four white groups. For further details see http://www.camelotfoundation.org.uk/ypbi.asp.
Understanding Consumer Food Management Behaviour. This study on behalf of WRAP (Waste and Recycling Action Programme) involved ethnographic research with consumers including a group of Bangladeshi women looking at their shopping, waste and recycling behaviour. Ipsos MORI executives accompanied people on their weekly shop, exploring the choices they make in shops in relation to the food they buy, how they plan what they are going to cook and eat, what they do with food and packaging waste and the decisions they make regarding recycling. We video recorded all the interviews and made into a short film for the client.
Multiculturalism Poll. This study on behalf of the BBC comprised a nationally representative telephone survey with the general public (1,000 interviews) and a booster sample of 200 Muslim respondents. The survey looked at multiculturalism in Britain today and compared the views of Muslims to those of the general public in light of the terrorist attacks on London in July.
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Our extensive knowledge in this area is recognised as a major strength, as is our ability to respond to clients' particular needs. This is what some of our clients have said about us:
"Proactive in suggesting solutions" - Commission on Integration & Cohesion
"Ipsos MORI's professionalism, independence and knowledge of the subject area" - Audit Commission
"Professionalism and innovative pre-tasking approach to focus groups"- WRAP (Waste & Recycling Action Programme)
"The team were extremely professional in their work with the focus groups and at building good relationships with Slough Borough Council" - Safer Slough Partnership