Webinar 'Understanding the 2024 English riots: Insights into social unrest and racial dynamics'

CBC's Dr Kitty Saunders (University College London & Government Office for Science) will be speaking alongside Dr Julze Alejandre, Professor John Drury & Dr Niamh Hart to present findings from a nine month rapid response programme of research on the riots that took place in summer 2024. The riots that took place in England in summer 2024 formed the biggest wave of disorder in the country for more than a decade. High profile media commentary and swift policy responses were put forward before the nature of these events was properly understood. 
Waves of riots are important to understand correctly for both behavioural science and policy. Large numbers of people involved in significant instances of disorder cause harm and distress to others, costly damage to property, and significant response from the emergency services. They can also indicate deeper problems within a society. We report initial results from a nine-month rapid response programme of research on the riots. Case studies on three locations – Bristol, Stoke, and Tamworth – triangulating interview, video, and news reports, enabled detailed analysis of the sequence of events at each of the riots. We draw out from the evidence some conclusions on the wider impact of the riots on understandings of racial dynamics in England.