Sociology

Jonatan Leer and Stinne Gunder Strøm Krogager, authors of 'Food Porn', discuss how restaurants have long used sexualised imagery, staff roles, and nostalgic or ironic aesthetics to intertwine desire with dining, subtly reinforcing gendered power dynamics as part of the overall experience.…Read more

George Miller discusses the What Is It For? book series, inspired by Gauguin’s existential questions, arguing that in an age of global “polycrisis,” critically examining the purpose of institutions can help us imagine better alternatives, even if it cannot solve problems outright.…Read more

Gurminder K. Bhambra, editor of 'The Modern World After Colonialism', draws on Chinua Achebe’s insight to argue that dominant social-science narratives overlook colonial histories, and that re-centering empire is essential to rethinking modernity.…Read more

Simone da Silva Ribeiro Gomes, author of 'Latin American Activism and Routine Violence in the 21st Century', argues that across Latin America, activism is shaped not by isolated bursts of repression but by permanent, routine violence from both state and non-state actors, including paramilitaries and criminal organisations, which profoundly constrains collective action.…Read more

Samantha Parsley, author of 'Minor Keys', argues that gender-based digital violence forces women and gender-expansive electronic music artists to undertake exhausting, unpaid “ameliorative work” that harms their wellbeing, visibility and career progression, and calls for collective responsibility and allyship to address it.…Read more

Akwugo Emejulu, Marlies Kustatscher and Callum McGregor editors of 'Ambivalent Activism', argue that while the far right is legitimised to mobilise anger and fear, left activism is constrained by compulsory “hope,” weakening its ability to harness powerful emotions like anger, grief and discomfort for social change.…Read more

From Bristol University Press and Policy Press, Transforming Society shares the powerful stories rooted in our research, showing how ideas can shape a fairer, better society.…Read more

This year on the Transforming Society podcast, we’ve highlighted the stories behind research that tackles society’s biggest challenges and sparks meaningful change.…Read more

International Migrants Day underscores that migrants are essential to the UK’s economy and public services, yet are scapegoated for hardships actually caused by financialisation, corporate exploitation and elite-driven populism.…Read more

Bristol Refugee Rights supports thousands of refugees and asylum seekers each year, helping them survive hostile immigration policies, harmful media narratives and rising anti-migrant hostility while rebuilding their lives with dignity and support.…Read more