Religious Discrimination in Britain: A Review of Research Evidence, 2000-10

In the autumn of 2010, the Equality and Human Rights Commission commissioned the author to undertake a review of research on religious discrimination in Britain over the decade, 2000-10. The aims were to identify and review: quantitative and qualitative evidence of religious discrimination; any evidence about whether religious discrimination is increasing or decreasing; any differences in evidence between England, Wales and Scotland; ‘Islamophobia’ as a frame of reference for discrimination against Muslims; and gaps in the existing research and statistical evidence. The report is based on a desk-based study that focuses primarily on research published between 2000 and 2010. The bibliographical review informing the report used a range of search engines and bibliographical databases. The report also draws selectively upon a survey of recent research on religion, discrimination and good relations carried out by Linda Woodhead through the Commission’s Religion or Belief Network and the email contact lists of the Religion & Society Research Programme.