Does the practice of hiring nannies and au pairs challenge inequalities in and between families, or does it reproduce them? Sara Eldén and Terese Anving, the authors of the first book in the Sociology of Children and Families series, Nanny Families: Practices of Care by Nannies, Au Pairs, Parents and Children in Sweden, answer this Read More

We are in the midst of a pervasive sense of crisis, which for many of us feels overwhelming. The growth of precarious work and automation, accompanied by deep and systemic poverty, along with crises around migration and the environment present an uncertain future. Here, Tom Vickers, author of Borders, Migration and Class in an Age Read More

Extra-curricular activities are crucial for nurturing children’s ‘softer’ skills outside the classroom. However, our recent Social Mobility Commission report highlights a dearth of opportunities for young people in some communities, meaning many will spend the next six weeks with little to do. Extra-curricular activities have made it onto the government’s agenda in recent months. Activities Read More

It is just over ten years since the launch of the media story and storm about the death of a little boy who came to be called ‘Baby P’. He was killed in August 2007 but it was in November 2008 that his mother, her boyfriend and the boyfriend’s brother were each convicted of ‘causing Read More

Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met for the 34th ASEAN Summit last month in Bangkok. The two-day summit is held annually, providing an opportunity for Southeast Asian leaders to meet to discuss socio-political, economic and security issues impacting the region. One contentious topic for discussion was ASEAN’s role in the Read More

John Brenton, Sustainability Manager at Bristol University, shares his thoughts on The Economics of Arrival by Katherine Trebeck and Jeremy Williams.…Read more

Thinking critically is a demanding challenge, especially in these hard times. This blog celebrates the practice of thinking collaboratively and dialogically, drawing on Mikhail Bakhtin’s persistent concern with ‘dialogism’ and ‘heteroglossia’ as vital and productive features of social life. Critical thinking should never be a lonely experience. Even if I am not engaged directly in Read More

This weekend it’s Bristol Pride Day. June and July have seen celebrations of the LGBT+ community around the world. To mark the occasion, Bristol University Press and Policy Press are showcasing some of the important research we have published in this area.  Take a look here. These journal articles are free to read until 21 Read More

What stories will the British, or more particularly, the English, tell themselves about their country and identity, once Brexit has been enacted? It is doubtful whether the 1922 creation of a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will endure. Ireland, colonised by the English in 1169, is an independent country remaining in the Read More

It is that time of year again when we are out at conferences, meeting our authors, editors, readers and making new connections. At these events, we’re often asked about becoming Bristol University Press and where Policy Press now fits. When we launched Policy Press (PP) in 1996, our very first conference was the Social Policy Read More