Books published by Bristol University Press

Leading interdisciplinary scholars focus on the 'social' of social policy. This ground-breaking volume tackles pressing 'social questions' and critically engages with contested conceptions of 'the social' which are increasingly deployed by international institutions and policy makers.

Co-authored by an international team of experts across disciplines, this important book is one of the first to demonstrate the enormous benefit creative methods offer for education research. It illustrates how using creative methods, such as poetic inquiry, theatre and animation, can support learning and illuminate participation and engagement.

Neoliberalism is having a detrimental impact on wider social and ethical goals in the field of education. Using an international range of contexts, this book provides practical examples that demonstrate how neoliberalism can be challenged and changed at the local, national and transnational level.

Leading Irish academics and policy practitioners present a comprehensive study of policy analysis in Ireland. Contributors investigate the roles of the EU, the public, science, the media and gender expertise in policy analysis. This text examines policy analysis at different levels of government and identifies future challenges for policy analysis.

Drawing on case studies from optometrists, physiotherapists, pedorthists and allied health assistants, this book offers an innovative comparison of allied health occupations in Australia and Britain. Adopting a theory of the sociology of health professions, it explores how the allied health professions can achieve their professional goals.

This crucial contemporary study reviews the evolving role of local authorities in health, social care and wellbeing. Health and policy experts survey disparities across Britain, share case studies of strategies and consider authorities' interaction with local and central government.

Written by international practitioners and scholars, this pioneering work offers insights into the peace mediation practice and explains how multifaceted assistance has become an indispensable part of it. With its policy focus and real-world examples, this is a go-to resource for researchers and advisers involved in peace processes.

Cutting across multiple disciplines, this book maps out a new role for the public sociologist in the post-COVID world. It envisions a new kind of public sociology that brings together "the digital" and the "physical" to create public spaces where critical scholarship and active civic engagement can meet in a mutually reinforcing way.

This exploration of mental health and wellbeing in the UK and Republic of Ireland's legal sector is a timely addition to international debates on the topic. It uses qualitative research to explore how cultural or structural factors impact practitioners, the legal profession, and wider society, suggesting interventions to improve wellbeing.

This book examines a participatory approach in child protection practices in Norway and the United States. It explores ways of empowering children; shows how they can be encouraged to express their own opinions and explores tools for child protection workers to negotiate complex boundaries around the inclusion of children in decision-making.

This book traces the changing fortunes of radical and critical social work, and examines the theory, context and application of such approaches. Radical social work of the 1970s declined as the rise of neoliberalism over subsequent decades changed the nature of the welfare state along with what social workers do and how. A looser critical approach developed, although practitioner demoralisation and disillusionment led to the 'second wave' of radical social work in the late 2000s. Despite challenges, critical practice is both necessary and possible in the neoliberal world. Core areas of practice with children and families are covered, including some real life case studies, key point summaries and suggestions for further reading. The essential argument is for an emancipatory practice geared to meeting immediate needs, as well as having some vision of a future, more socially just and equal society. The book will be invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate social work students, experienced practitioners, educators, managers and policy makers.

With thinking around the foundational economy becoming increasingly influential, this interdisciplinary collection sets out its role in renewing citizenship and informing policy. Drawing on case studies in areas of social and economic concern, it explores how foundational experiments can foster collective consumption and promote social justice.

The nuanced interconnections of poverty and educational attainment across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are explored in this unique analysis. Experts investigate how different educational structures and policies affect teachers' engagement with marginalised groups and consider how inequalities might be reduced.

Debunking the myths around the current economic belief systems, this book reveals how mainstream perspectives work for the benefit of the organised money establishment, while causing all manner of destructions and inequalities which work against the common good. It offers a refreshingly simple business strategy model for a truly sustainable future.

The nuanced interconnections of poverty and educational attainment across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are explored in this unique analysis. Experts investigate how different educational structures and policies affect teachers' engagement with marginalised groups and consider how inequalities might be reduced.

This myth-busting and question-focused textbook tackles the important social and policy issues posed by ageing. A unique pedagogical approach recognises the gap between the lives of students and older people, and equips students with the conceptual, analytical and critical tools to understand what it means to grow old and live in an ageing society.

This introductory text explains the political, economic and religious developments since the formation of the Islamic Republic in 1979 and provides an analysis of the domestic politics of Iran. It is an ideal starting point for students and general readers looking for a thought-provoking introduction to contemporary Iran.

Leading academics reflect on concepts and aspects of public sociology education in this perceptive collection of case studies, linked by critical dialogue between contributors. They consider publics, practices and special knowledges in the field, and go beyond academia's boundaries to explore the purposes and targets of sociological knowledge.

This illuminating study of working life uses decades of large-scale survey to review notions of good work and job satisfaction in the UK. Exploring data on hundreds of occupations, it charts disparities in fulfilment potential across professions, and sets out fresh ideas for improving satisfaction at work nationally.

This book analyses a diverse range of experiences of Co-Creation in neighbourhood settings across the Global North and Global South. It brings together a unique collection of researchers, artists, residents and policymakers, all exploring creative ways to address neighbourhood challenges and effect change towards more socially just cities.

Stuart Rees exposes politicians' fascination with cruelty in their deliberations about policies. Through empirical analysis, human stories and poetic commentary, he identifies non-destructive exercise of power, courageous public action and compelling humanitarian alternatives as the key to achieving a future in which dignity and equality flourish.

The impacts of austerity and welfare reform on work and employment relations are explored in this perceptive assessment. This book highlights the role of trade unions and social movements in challenging the insecurities and inequalities imposed by work-focused welfare policies such as Universal Credit and proposes progressive new paths for welfare.

This book analyses a diverse range of experiences of Co-Creation in neighbourhood settings across the Global North and Global South. It brings together a unique collection of researchers, artists, residents and policymakers, all exploring creative ways to address neighbourhood challenges and effect change towards more socially just cities.

This topical book engages with a wide range of issues related to social work practice with people who have sexually offended. Its accessible style and use of practice based learning exercises will help readers to reflect on theory, practice and developing emotional resilience.

This timely and unique contribution brings together leading scholars from criminology and theology to challenge criminal justice orthodoxy. They question the dominance of retributive punishment, and consider alternatives which draw on Christian ideas of hope, mercy and restoration.

Drawing on Roma community voices and expert research, this book challenges conventional discourses on Romani identity, poverty and exclusion. Through the transformative vehicle of a 'Social Europe', it presents new strategies for framing social justice for Romani communities across Europe and provides innovative solutions to these dilemmas.