Identities
The focus of this research cluster is to theoretically and empirically explore the changing nature of identities and cultures in contemporary society in relation to a range of social relationships and issues.
It grew out of the establishment of a strong research programme focussing on gendered and sexual identities, broadening out to include examining identity in relation to class, community, youth, ageing, disability, national identities and ethnicities. For example there is a strong sub-cluster of innovative work in theorising gender and sexuality (including citizenship). Work here has made an important contribution, both theoretically and empirically, to understandings of the interconnections between gender, sexuality and class; sexual and gendered citizenship, inequality and politicised identities.
A further strand of work here extends theoretical development by considering identity and its relationship to inequality.
The cluster has generated original research on identity in relation to social class (including middle-class identities); youth cultures and urban space; ethnicity/ youth; masculinities/ femininities; communities; parenting and the family; health (professional-user engagement), and embodied identities (including obesity and disability).
The co-ordinator of this cluster is Mark Casey