Educational constraints of immobility? Examining ethnic differences in student migration in Britain using Census microdata

This paper is situated in the emerging literature on minority/immigrant internal migration which grew from questions about the population dynamics behind ethnic residential segregation. This work has revealed both that migration within Britain is creating ethnic mixing and that there are considerable ethnic differences in levels and geographies of residential mobility. This paper contributes to our understanding of these differences by examining how being a student is related to residential mobility for different ethnic groups. It suggests that different residential decisions and migration norms at the point of entry into higher education partly explain ethnic differences in mobility. Using 2001 Census microdata (Sample of Anonymised Records), the paper finds that minority ethnic students are less mobile than their White counterparts, that being a student increases the probability of migrating for White British and Chinese young adults but decreases the probability of migrating for Pakistani and Black African young adults, and particularly so for Pakistani females. Given that it is common to migrate away from home for University study in Britain, this raises questions about equality of access to Higher Education. The examination of mobility in relation to key life events in young adulthood enables debates about ethnic geographies to move beyond the concern with segregation. The paper concludes with challenges for further research and a discussion of the policy implications of the findings in the context of current changes to Higher Education funding in the UK.L'article se situa dins la bibliografia emergent sobre les migracions internes de les minories immigrants. Aquesta ha augmentat a partir de l'interès sobre la dinàmica poblacional després de la segregació ètnica residencial. L'estudi ha posat de manifest que la migració dins de la Gran Bretanya permet que es produeixin barreges entre ètnies i que existeixin diferències ètniques considerables en els nivells de mobilitat residencial i en els seus patrons territorials. Aquest article contribueix a entendre aquestes diferències a través de l'examen de la relació entre ser estudiant i la mobilitat residencial per diferents ètnies. S'hi suggereix que diferents decisions residencials i pautes migratòries d'accés a la universitat explicarien, en part, les diferències ètniques de mobilitat. A través de microdades censals (mostra anònima de dades) de 2001, s'arriba a la conclusió que els estudiants de les minories ètniques són menys mòbils que els seus homòlegs blancs. Ser estudiant incrementa la probabilitat d'emigrar, tant dels joves britànics blancs, com dels joves xinesos, però disminueix en la dels negres africans i la dels paquistanesos, especialment la de les dones d'aquesta darrera ètnia. El fet que a la Gran Bretanya, normalment, s'emigri lluny de la llar familiar per anar a la universitat, qüestionaria la igualtat en l'accés a l'educació superior. Relacionar la mobilitat i certs esdeveniments clau en la vida dels joves adults permet que els debats sobre geografies ètniques puguin anar més enllà de la preocupació per la segregació. L'article conclou plantejant reptes per a futures investigacions i amb un debat sobre les implicacions dels resultats sobre les polítiques en el context dels canvis que, en l'actualitat, pateix el finançament de l'educació superior al Regne Unit.Este artículo se sitúa dentro de la emergente bibliografía sobre las migraciones internas de las minorías inmigrantes, que ha crecido a partir del interés sobre la dinámica poblacional existente tras la segregación étnica residencial. El trabajo realizado ha puesto de manifiesto que la migración dentro de Gran Bretaña permite que se produzcan mezclas entre etnias y que existen considerables diferencias étnicas en los niveles de movilidad residencial y en sus patrones territoriales. Este artículo contribuye a entender dichas diferencias a través del examen de la relación entre ser estudiante y la movilidad residencial para diferentes etnias. En él se sugiere que distintas decisiones residenciales y pautas migratorias de acceso a la universidad explicarían en parte las diferencias étnicas de movilidad. A través de microdatos censales (muestra anónima de datos) de 2001, se llega a la conclusión de que los estudiantes de las minorías étnicas son menos móviles que sus homólogos blancos. Ser estudiante incrementa la probabilidad de emigrar, tanto de los jóvenes británicos blancos, como de los jóvenes chinos, pero disminuye la de los negros africanos y la de los pakistaníes, especialmente la de las mujeres de esta última etnia. El hecho que en Gran Bretaña normalmente se migre lejos del hogar familiar para ir a la universidad cuestionaría la igualdad en el acceso a la educación superior. Relacionar la movilidad y ciertos acontecimientos clave en la vida de jóvenes adultos permite que los debates sobre geografías étnicas puedan ir más allá de la preocupación por la segregación. El artículo concluye planteando retos para futuras investigaciones y con un debate sobre las implicaciones de los resultados sobre las políticas en el contexto de los cambios que en la actualidad sufre la financiación de la educación superior en el Reino Unido.Cet article se situe dans l'émergente littérature sur la mobilité interne des minorités/immigrants, qui est accrue en conséquence de l'intérêt par les dynamiques démographiques derrière la ségrégation ethnique résidentielle. L'analyse démontre que la migration interne favorise les mélanges ethniques et qu'il y a de considérables différences entre les ethnies par rapport aux niveaux de mobilité résidentielle et sa distribution géographique. Cet article contribue à comprendre ces différences à travers l'examen de la relation entre le fait d'être étudiant et la mobilité résidentielle, pour différents groupes ethniques. Les résultats suggèrent que différentes décisions résidentielles et normes migratoires d'accès à l'Université expliqueraient, en partie, les différences de mobilité entre ethnies. À travers des micro-données du recensement de 2001 (échantillon de données anonymes), on a découvert que les étudiants des minorités ethniques sont moins mobiles que leurs homologues blancs. Être étudiant augmente la probabilité de migrer des jeunes britanniques blancs et des chinois, mais diminue celle des noirs africains et des pakistanais (et en particulier, pour ce dernier groupe, celle des femmes). Le fait qu'en Grande-Bretagne normalement on migre pour aller à l'université, poserait des questions sur l'égalité des chances d'accès à l'éducation supérieure. Mettre en relation la mobilité et certains événements clés dans la jeunesse permet que les débats sur les géographies ethniques puissent aller plus loin dans la préoccupation pour la ségrégation. L'article finit par exposer des défis pour des recherches futures et en proposant un débat sur les implications des résultats sur les politiques dans le contexte des changements actuels de financement de l'éducation supérieure au Royaume-Uni

Who, where and what should be the focus of addressing deprivation and ethnic inequality to promote integration?

The disadvantage of ethnic minorities is a central feature of British society. The Casey Review into Opportunity and Integration commissioned by the government shines a light on the persistent socio-economic inequalities of ethnic minority groups and calls for deprivation and inequality to be tackled as a means of promoting integration. But who, where and what should be the focus for addressing ethnic inequalities? Kitty Lymperopoulou and Nissa Finney provide some pointers, from the Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity (CoDE)’s work with Runnymede on local ethnic inequalities

Socio-spatial factors associated with ethnic inequalities in districts of England and Wales, 2001–2011

This paper explores the changing geography of ethnic inequality in England and Wales drawing on data from the 2001 and 2011 censuses. Specifically, we use the 2011 Office for National Statistics (ONS) area classification to examine how ethnic inequalities within local areas with different demographic and socio-economic characteristics have changed over time. Local ethnic inequalities are examined through a set of indicators which capture differences in housing, health, employment and education between ethnic minority groups and the White British in local authority districts in England and Wales. The results suggest that ethnic inequalities are widespread and persistent, and highlight the different ways in which inequalities manifest for particular ethnic groups in different localities. Ethnic inequality in housing and employment is severe for most ethnic minority groups, particularly in large urban areas that have been traditional settlement areas for ethnic minorities. However, inequalities increased most over the decade 2001–2011 in rural and coastal areas that have low ethnic diversity levels and small ethnic minority populations. The paper considers these findings in relation to theories of service provision and racism, ethnic density, and immigrant adaptation.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

The spatialities of ageing : evidencing increasing spatial polarisation between older and younger adults in England and Wales

Background : With the proportion of older adults in Europe expected to grow significantly over the next few decades, a number of pertinent questions are raised about the socio-spatial processes that underlie residential age segregation, especially in circumstances where it may be increasing. Objective : We present evidence on whether, and to what degree, residential age segregation has changed across neighbourhoods in England and Wales since the 1990s. Methods : We examine the residential patterns of older adults (aged 65 and over) compared to those of younger adults (aged 25-40) for neighbourhoods across the country, for neighbourhoods within districts, and for neighbourhoods within districts classified by type. The analyses use harmonised population data for small areas (Output Areas) from the 1991, 2001, and 2011 Censuses of England and Wales. Results : The results reveal increasing segregation over time (1991-2011) between older and younger groups across neighbourhoods nationally. Although the index values of segregation tend to be higher in less urban areas, highlighting a strong age and life course dimension of the rural-urban divide, a rapid increase in age segregation is found in urban areas. Moreover, our findings suggest the existence of convergent clusters of increasing age segregation, particularly in urban settings (from small to large cities) and former industrial areas in the North of England, thus providing evidence suggesting a further dimension of the North-South divide. Conclusions : The findings demonstrate a growing age bifurcation over time and space, as both older and younger age groups are increasingly living apart. Although the drivers and consequences of these trends in residential age segregation remain unclear, the potential challenge to policies of social cohesion underlines the importance of further research.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Diverse early-life family trajectories and young children's mental health in the UK

Authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); grant number 2460061.Past research suggests that children from two-parent married families fare better than children from other families on many outcomes. Only fragmented evidence on diverse family trajectories in association with child mental health is available. Using multi-channel sequence analysis and data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, we jointly capture maternal partnership trajectories and type of father co-residence between birth and age 5. We then assess the association between these family trajectories and child mental health at age 5 and 8 using random effects regression. Children whose trajectories include the entrance of a non-biological father or parental separation have the lowest levels of mental health. However, children of never partnered mothers and those who repartner with the biological father have comparable mental health to children of stably married biological parents. Thus, not all types of family complexity or instability appear to be equally detrimental to children’s mental health.Peer reviewe

How is the benefit of mixed social networks altered by neighbourhood deprivation for ethnic groups?

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council grant number ES/K002198/1: Understanding changes in ethnic relations: the dynamics of ethnicity, identity and inequality in the UK.Previous research has shown that people who are in poverty live in deprived neighbourhoods. Ethnic minority groups are more likely than the White majority to be poor and live in such areas. The likelihood of being poor may be reduced by having access to mixed social networks. But, for those living in deprived neighbourhoods there may be neither opportunities nor resources to form and maintain social networks that are mixed in terms of their ethnic or geographic composition. This paper tests this contention, for ethnic groups in the UK. Specifically, we use the UK's largest household survey to examine the relationship between deprivation and mixing by investigating the following research questions: (1) Does neighbourhood deprivation alter the influence of mixed social network on poverty status? and (2) Is the influence of neighbourhood deprivation and social networks on poverty status equivalent for all ethnic minority groups? Our results suggest that high neighbourhood deprivation tends to over-ride the positive associations of geographically mixed social networks. Moreover, while this result is strong for the White British majority, there is only weak evidence that it holds for ethnic minority groups. This may imply that resource constraints restrict social network benefits, particularly for ethnic minorities.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Opportunities and challenges doing interdisciplinary research : what can we learn from studies of ethnicity, inequality and place?

This work was supported by the Economic and Social research council [grant number ES/K002198/1] Understanding changes in ethnic relations: the dynamics of ethnicity, identity and inequality in the U.K. Additional financial support was provided by The University of Manchester.This Special Issue Introduction critically reflects on the interdisciplinary working project on ethnicity, inequality and place undertaken by the ESRC Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity. We argue that CoDE is uniquely placed to undertake this interdisciplinary work and discuss the extent to which the project pushed thinking beyond that of our disciplinary homes to provide innovative insights into the significance of place for understanding ethnic inequalities and identities. From the six papers in the Special Issue, this Introduction identifies four cross-cutting themes on ethnicity and place: processes of exclusion, the importance of temporal context and change, tensions of scale in the way ethnicity and place together shape experiences and inequalities, and the conceptualisation of ethnicity as dynamic, multi-faceted and socially constructed. We argue that the project has succeeded in terms of cross fertilisation of ideas, challenging ontological and epistemological divisions, and facilitating interdisciplinary learning, adaptation and appreciation. We also identify difficulties that were experienced. We suggest that interdisciplinary ideas flourish in an environment where they can fail and conflict, but where failure and conflict does not disrupt the underlying momentum of the work. We conclude in favour of interdisciplinary, democratic and co-produced research as a tool for social change.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Slippery discrimination : a review of the drivers of migrant and minority housing disadvantage

The project was supported by the ESRC through its funding of the Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity (CoDE), grant reference ES/K002198/1, and the participation of the main author was enabled by a grant from the Simon Industrial Fellowship.This paper aims to identify housing disadvantages faced by migrants and ethnic minorities; the legal, policy and market forces that shape them; how they have developed over time; how they are manifest nationally and locally; and how they are being responded to locally by those concerned with mitigating them. The paper thereby intends to provide a foundation to inform future research and policy and to engage with local actors to develop ways of overcoming migrant housing disadvantage and challenging discrimination. The paper finds that the interplay of legal changes, which have increasingly differentiated migrants since the 1940s, and shifting housing markets, has driven exclusion of migrants and minorities such that considerable disadvantage is revealed by analysis of census data. However, attention to local specificity provides evidence of positive responses. Examples are presented in relation to access to affordable housing, enactment of homelessness duties and community actions. Methodologically, this paper highlights the importance of simultaneous consideration of migration and ethnicity as markers of difference and exclusion, and the potential of co-production approaches for socially meaningful research concerned with inequalities.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

The roles of social housing providers in creating ‘integrated’ communities

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council grant number ES/K002198/1: Understanding changes in ethnic relations: the dynamics of ethnicity, identity and inequality in the UK.Cohesion and integration agendas in Britain can be characterised by localisation of 'race relations' responsibilities and the importance of local institutions in shaping neighbourhoods has been acknowledged. However, little is understood about the roles of housing providers in integration initiatives. Indeed, research on housing and race has experienced a lull in the 2000s. Thus, this paper aims to examine how social housing providers negotiate their positions and are complicit in constructing a certain vision of community. It draws on interviews from the ESRC Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity (CoDE)'s work in the ethnically diverse neighbourhoods of Cheetham Hill (Manchester), Newham (London), Butetown (Cardiff) and Pollokshields and Govanhill (Glasgow). The paper makes three arguments: first, that race and ethnicity as facets of 'integration' have been subsumed into broader agendas, yet remain implicit in community building; second, that housing organisation practices are often detached from local meanings of community and prioritise exclusionary activities focusing on behaviour change and, third, that the roles of housing organisations in constructing 'integrated' communities are highly variable and localised, influenced by the history and contemporary dynamics of place.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Possibilities of population thinking : histories and futures of Population Geography through reflections on 50 years of the Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers) Population Geography Research Group

Royal Geographical SocietyReflecting critically on 50 years of the Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers) (RGS-IBG) Population Geography Research Group (PopGRG), and drawing on interviews with leading population geographers of the British Isles, this paper identifies defining features of Population Geography that attest to its longevity: personal connections and material production; fluidity and adaptability over time and through interdisciplinary contexts; and utility, vitality and relevance of the subdiscipline. We argue that continuation of care, material production and nimbleness can sustain the subdiscipline in the context of ongoing neoliberalisation across Higher Education. To remain vital, Population Geography must also decolonise and promote ‘population thinking’ to more boldly and critically attend to contemporary global challenges.Peer reviewe