School of Social and Political Science

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Taking Stock – Race Equality in Scotland, was co-authored by the University of Edinburgh’s Professor Nasar Meer under his new RACE.ED project. RACE.ED is a hub for race-related teaching and research at the University, including a network of interdisciplinary researchers.

The report, released by the Runnymede Trust and co-authored by University of Glasgow academics, includes chapters from leading researchers, civil society organisations and Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), covering issues of education, employment and health.

Main points include:

• Racially motivated hate crime remains the most commonly reported type of hate crime in Scotland.
• One third of non-white black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in Scotland report experiences of racial discrimination, and that a slightly higher proportion consider racial discrimination to be a widespread issue in Scotland. 
• The employment rate of BAME groups in Scotland remains lower than that of the white population, and with a gap of 15% and which is higher for women (20%), and what initiatives need to be put in place to address this. 

Read the report on the RACE.ED website here.

The report was launched in an event on Tuesday 15 July. The recording can be viewed here.

Scotland’s race equality agenda

The lead author Professor Nasar Meer of the School of Social and Political Science said: ‘This report presents as a further and necessary check on how Scotland’s race equality agenda is developing. It is true that progress has been made but much more needs to be done to ensure that the ambition of racial equality is a core government activity.’

The report also discusses questions of identity and belonging, and policy approaches and possible solutions to addressing continuing racial inequality in Scotland today.