Now that universities have wound down for the summer, we are bringing you a curated list of must-read open access books and articles from our publishing programme.
This selection features some of the most insightful and impactful works across social sciences – from sociology, families and ageing, to science and technology, economics and the environment – to enrich your summer reading.
Remaking Money for a Sustainable Future
As you get your travel money sorted, are you curious about how alternative currencies can contribute to a fairer and more sustainable economy? This book explores how grassroots groups, municipalities and radical crypto-entrepreneurs are redesigning money to build green and inclusive economies. Perfect for those interested in innovative financial solutions during a summer of environmental action.
GSCJ: Changing hearts instead of changing minds: Another take on climate action
Reflecting on climate change during a summer of extreme weather? This article advocates for a new approach to climate action that goes beyond facts and figures. It emphasises empathy and moral imagination, promoting the co-creation of knowledge and a shared future. Essential reading for anyone seeking deeper engagement in climate action.
Having celebrated Pride this summer we reflect on global queer activism. This article examines how international LGBTI activism is governed through state funding, analysing power relations and management practices. Using archival material and interviews, it highlights how power is exercised in subtle but far-reaching ways, reshaping activist organisations.
Wondering how to mobilise better as an activist on social media? This book introduces the ‘data stream’ concept to examine activists’ daily interactions with data. Using empirical data from Greece, Spain and Italy, it offers fresh insights for activists and scholars navigating the digital landscape of grassroots politics.
For those trying to manage family screen time during summer holidays, this article explores how digital technologies influence family relationships across generations. It highlights the intensification of connectedness and power struggles, calling for a nuanced understanding of how digital platforms transform familial interactions.
Architectures of InequalityIf you’re taking time to reflect on workplace equality over the summer, Rachel Verdin’s book focuses on the gender pay gap. Looking at UK finance, it combines organisational data and women’s lived experiences to uncover obstacles to workplace equality. Essential reading for those committed to addressing gender inequity.
Ecologies of Care in Times of Climate Change
Michael Buser’s book shows how the concept of care can be applied to climate change, presenting real-world cases from Europe, North America and Asia. An insightful read during these critical months.
Reimagining Age-Friendly Communities
For those engaged in community development projects over the summer, this edited collection offers a new approach to creating ‘age-friendly’ communities, emphasising social justice, equity and diversity. It’s a valuable resource for urban planners, policy makers and community activists looking to make meaningful changes this season.
Consumption and Society: The effects of teleworking on CO2 emissions from commuting
This article quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions from commuting, showing how increased teleworking can significantly reduce CO2 emissions. It provides valuable baseline data for future interventions aimed at reducing commuting-related emissions.
Nurturing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Preparing for the new school year? This essential guide familiarises readers with key equality, diversity and inclusion issues in research careers. It offers practical strategies and evidence-based solutions for academic and research settings, making it indispensable for equality planning team members, researchers and HRM officers.
This article draws on the work of the Vishwa Bharati Vidyodaya Trust to highlight community-driven educational interventions in Indigenous communities in Gudalur, India. It emphasises the importance of community participation in addressing historical injustices and promoting educational equality.
What Matters and Who Matters to Young People Leaving Care
For those supporting young people transitioning from care, Peter Appleton’s book develops a flexible model of transition planning based on interviews with care-experienced young adults. An invaluable resource for practitioners, researchers and educators helping care-leavers plan their futures as they transition out of the school year.
Concerned about holiday hunger? This article reports on a mixed-methods study of food insecurity in an unequal English city. It highlights how income and housing tenure are linked to food insecurity and food bank use, affecting even higher socioeconomic groups. The study urges future research to address broader socioeconomic drivers of poverty.
Find out more about open access publishing at Bristol University Press here: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/open-access
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