Academic Books (Subject Specific)

Summary

All items listed in the REAL resource bank were suggested by research participants of the ‘Exploring Race and Ethnicity on Social Science Degree Programmes’ project, or colleagues at University of Brighton, as resources they had found useful in their own teaching. They are not intended as definitive recommendations from the project team, and readers should make their own judgements as to which items would be most useful and appropriate for their needs. Similarly, the short summaries of each listed item are meant as approximate indicators rather than comprehensive synopses and should act primarily as a starting point for further exploration.

Adams, M., Bell, L.A., Goodman, D.J., Shlasko, D., Briggs, R.R. & Pacheco, R. (eds) (2023) Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (4^th edition). Routledge. ISBN: 9780367431204

The collection provides a comprehensive guide to social justice education in schools, offering theoretical foundations, pedagogical frameworks, and practical curricular models. This fourth edition of Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice includes ready-to-use activities, discussion prompts, and online resources, equipping educators to address oppression, discrimination, and inequality while fostering critical thinking, inclusivity, and applied learning.

Bhatia, M., Poynting, S. & Tufail, W. (eds) (2018) Media, Crime and Racism. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 9783030101084

Media representations profoundly shape perceptions of crime, race, and ethnicity, often constructing racialised myths that influence policy and justice practices. Edited by Monis Bhatia, Scott Poynting, and Waqas Tufail, this volume examines global case studies—from refugee crises to minority criminalisation—highlighting how media and state practices racialise communities while also documenting resistance and efforts toward racial justice.

 Brooks, K.D. & Martin, K.L. (eds) (2019) The Lemonade Reader. Routledge. ISBN: 9781138596788

Interdisciplinary essays in this volume explore Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album, examining its Afrodiasporic influences, narrative of grief and healing, and cultural impact. Edited by Kinitra Brooks and Kameelah Martin, the collection applies black feminist thought to race, gender, spirituality, and southern identity, offering a critical lens on popular culture and contemporary scholarship.

 Chauhan, V. (1989) Beyond Steel Bands ‘n’ Samosas: Black Young People in the Youth Service. National Youth Bureau. ISBN: 9780861551286

Vipin Chauhan examines the experiences of Black youth within UK youth services, challenging cultural stereotypes and limited programmatic assumptions. The book highlights systemic barriers, social marginalization, and the need for culturally responsive practice, advocating for youth work that recognizes diversity, empowers Black young people, and addresses structural inequalities in society.

Cotton, T., Jagdev, M.K., Kaur, B. & Wright, P. (2024) Towards a Socially Just Mathematics Curriculum: A Theoretical and Practical Approach. Routledge. ISBN: 9781032421636

Tom Cotton, Manjinder Kaur Jagdev, Balbir Kaur, and Pete Wright present a framework for integrating social justice into mathematics education in schools. Combining theory and practical strategies, the book guides teachers in challenging stereotypes, incorporating diverse perspectives, and fostering inclusive classrooms, encouraging reflection on practice to create equitable, culturally responsive, and socially aware learning experiences for all students.

 Craggs, R. & Neate, H. (2023) Decolonising Geography? Disciplinary Histories and the End of the British Empire in Africa, 1948–1990. Wiley. ISBN: 9781119549284

Tracing the colonial roots of British geography, Ruth Craggs and Hannah Neate examine how the discipline engaged with Africa during decolonisation. Drawing on archival research and interviews, they reveal how teaching, research, and institutional practices shaped post-colonial geopolitics, offering critical insights for scholars and the public on decolonising geography and knowledge production.

 Escobar, A. (2012) Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the Third World. Princeton University Press. ISBN: 9780691150451

Critiquing Western development as a mechanism of control, Arturo Escobar examines how postwar policies shaped identities, economies, and knowledge in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Highlighting cultural and political consequences, he exposes the limits of “progress” and calls for alternative, locally grounded approaches, offering both scholars and the public a transformative lens on development and postcolonial futures.

 Gillborn, D. (2008) Racism and Education: Coincidence or Conspiracy? Routledge. ISBN: 9780203928424

This book examines how systemic racism shapes educational outcomes. David Gillborn argues that racial inequalities are not accidental but are embedded within policies, practices, and structures of schooling. He explores how bias, setting/tracking, and institutional practices disadvantage students of colour, challenging assumptions that education is neutral or meritocratic.

Hall, C. (2002) Civilising Subjects: Metropole and Colony in the English Imagination 1830-1867. University of Chicago Press. ISBN: 9780226313351

Exploring British self-identity through empire, Catherine Hall examines how ideas of civilization shaped both colonial subjects and metropolitan society. Using literature, journalism, and public discourse, she reveals how cultural representations of colonies reinforced racial hierarchies, moral authority, and national identity, offering vital insights into power, difference, and the construction of “civilised” Englishness.

Irons, P. H. (2022) White Men’s Law: The Roots of Systemic Racism. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780190914943

Patrick Irons traces the historical roots and enduring consequences of systemic racism in the United States. Drawing on archival research, interviews with descendants of former slaves, and case studies like Detroit, he documents segregation, violence, and structural inequality, revealing how entrenched racial hierarchies continue to shape education, employment, housing, and community life for Black Americans.

 Itzigsohn, J. & Brown, K.L. (2020) The Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois: Racialized Modernity and the Global Color Line. New York University Press. ISBN: 9781479804177

José Itzigsohn and Kyle Brown explore Du Bois’s sociological work, emphasising his analysis of race, modernity, and the global colour line. They examine how racial hierarchies shape social, economic, and political structures worldwide, highlighting Du Bois’s enduring relevance for understanding inequality, racialisation, and global-local dynamics.

Laverick, W. & Joyce, P. (2019) Racial and Religious Hate Crime: The UK from 1945 to Brexit, Springer International. ISBN: 9783030213190

Examining racial and religious hate crime in the UK from 1945 to Brexit, this book analyses historical drivers, state responses, and the role of the criminal justice system. Written by Wendy Laverick and Peter Joyce, it also considers contemporary challenges, including post-referendum dynamics and global political influences, highlighting patterns, policies, and persistent obstacles in combating hate crime.

 Lynn, M. & Dixson, A.D. (eds) (2022) Handbook of Critical Race Theory in Education (2^nd edition. Routledge. ISBN: 9781138491724

Marvin Lynn and Adrienne Dixson provide a comprehensive exploration of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in education, tracing its legal roots and radical foundations. The handbook examines race and racism in schools and higher education, incorporates interdisciplinary perspectives, and expands theoretical frameworks to include LatCrit, AsianCrit, and Critical Race Feminism, offering a definitive resource for understanding and advancing CRT in educational research and practice.

Meghji, A. (2021) Decolonizing Sociology: An Introduction. Polity. ISBN: 9781509541959

Sociology, born amid colonialism, remains shaped by Eurocentric assumptions and practices. Ali Meghji examines how the discipline has historically reinforced colonial hierarchies, erased Global South perspectives, and overlooked coloniality in theory and practice. The book offers guidance for decolonizing sociology through curriculum reform, inclusive teaching, and critical engagement with underrepresented scholars.

Mills, C.W. (1999) The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press (first published 1959). ISBN: 9780195133738

Wright Mills explores the link between individual experiences and broader social structures, urging readers to see personal troubles as connected to public issues. He highlights the value of historical context and critical thinking, advocating for a sociological perspective that connects biography, history, and societal forces to understand human life.

 Mukwende, M., Tamony, P. & Turner, M. (2020) Mind the Gap: A Handbook of Clinical Studies in Black and Brown Skin. St. George’s, University of London. ISBN: 9781527269088.

This clinical handbook highlights the urgent need for medical education to decolonize curricula and address racial disparities in healthcare. By providing clinical images and guidance on diagnosing conditions in Black and Brown patients, the authors draw attention to systemic inequalities and the risk of misdiagnosis when education centres predominantly on white patients.

 Rao, V. & Walton, M. (eds) (2004) Culture and Public Action. Stanford University Press. ISBN: 9780804747875

Challenging purely economic approaches, Vijayendra Rao and Michael Walton examine how culture shapes public policy and collective action. Drawing on global case studies, they show that beliefs, practices, and social norms influence political engagement, social change, and development outcomes, offering scholars and practitioners a nuanced framework for understanding and designing culturally informed policies.

Rycroft, D. J. (2023) Humanities in India as Pluralist Pedagogy. Orient Blackswan. ISBN: 9789354427312

Exploring higher education in India, Daniel Rycroft examines how the humanities can foster pluralist and inclusive pedagogy. Highlighting diverse perspectives, cultural histories, and interdisciplinary approaches, he shows how curricula and teaching practices can challenge dominant narratives, promote critical thinking, and cultivate socially engaged scholarship that addresses colonial and postcolonial inequalities.

 Rycroft, D.J. & Dasgupta, S. (eds) (2011) The Politics of Belonging in India: Becoming Adivasi. Routledge. ISBN: 9780415748681

David Rycroft and Sangeeta Dasgupta edit this collection exploring how India’s Indigenous peoples, or Adivasis, negotiate identity and belonging within the nation’s political, cultural, and historical contexts. Through interdisciplinary perspectives, the volume examines how Adivasi identities are shaped by colonial legacies, state policies, and contemporary struggles for recognition and autonomy.

 Sen, A. (1999) Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780198297581

Amartya Sen argues that development should be measured by the expansion of individual freedoms and capabilities rather than economic growth alone. Linking political, social, and economic liberties, he demonstrates how poverty, inequality, and institutional constraints limit human potential, offering a framework that integrates ethics, economics, and social justice to rethink progress.

 Shilliam, R. (2021) Decolonizing Politics: An Introduction. Polity Press. ISBN: 9781509539390

This book examines how colonial histories and power structures continue to shape global politics. Robbie Shilliam explores ideas of sovereignty, race, and inequality, arguing for frameworks in political science that challenge Eurocentric norms. It provides accessible insights into decolonial thought, urging readers to rethink governance, justice, and inclusion in a postcolonial world.

 Tilly, C. (1998) Durable Inequality. University of California Press. ISBN: 9780520221703

Charles Tilly examines how social inequalities persist across time and contexts. He argues that categorical distinctions—based on class, race, gender, and other identities—become entrenched through repeated social processes, creating durable hierarchies. The book combines historical and sociological analysis to explain why inequality is resilient and systematically reproduced in society.

Titley, G. (2019) Racism and Media. Sage. ISBN: 9781446298541

Gavan Titley explores how traditional and social media shape understandings of racism, bringing historical issues into contemporary public debate. Through theoretical frameworks and international case studies, the book analyses media-driven dynamics, online hate, and the contested boundaries of speech, offering tools to interrogate the production, circulation, and contestation of racist ideas in society.

Tomlinson, S. (2019) Education and Race from Empire to Brexit. Policy Press. ISBN: 9781447345848

Sally Tomlinson examines how education has both reflected and shaped racial and ethnic attitudes in the UK from empire to Brexit. The book analyses the legacy of colonialism, decolonisation, and immigration, showing how schools and universities often fail to address multicultural realities, while Brexit-era politics intensify hostilities toward minorities and challenge inclusive educational practices.

Trier-Bieniek, A.M. (ed.) (2016) The Beyoncé Effect: Essays on Sexuality, Race and Feminism. McFarland and Company. ISBN: 9780786499748

Edited by Adrienne Trier-Bieniek, this collection examines Beyoncé’s music and public persona through lenses of race, gender, and sexuality. The essays explore black female empowerment, body politics, celebrity motherhood, and the complexities of feminist representation, highlighting how Beyoncé’s artistry navigates cultural expectations while influencing discussions of identity, pleasure, and social norms.

 Unnever, J.D., Gabbidon, S.L. & Chouhy, C. (eds) (2020) Building a Black Criminology: Race, Theory, and Crime. Routledge. ISBN: 9780367504915

James Unnever, Shaun Gabbidon, and Cecilia Chouhy examine race as central to criminology, exploring both general and racially specific causes of crime. They highlight historical oppression, segregation, and systemic injustice, offering scholars and general readers a nuanced framework for understanding the complex interplay of race, crime, and justice through the lens of theory, research, and policy.

White, A.I.R. & Quisumbing King, K. (eds) (2021) Global Historical Sociology of Race and Racism. Emerald Publishing. ISBN: 9781801172196

This collection re-examines race and racism through a global historical lens, exploring how imperialism, transnational forces, and social structures have shaped racial categories and oppression. Edited by Angela White and Katrina Quisumbing King, it combines empirical analyses and theoretical insights to advance understanding of contemporary racism and sociological thought.