Claire Alexander

Claire Alexander is a Professor of Sociology and Head of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Manchester. Her research focuses on race, ethnicity, youth identity, and migration in the UK, with a particular emphasis on Muslim communities and South Asian diasporas. She leads projects funded by ESRC and AHRC, including studies on racial inequalities during the pandemic, the evolution of Brick Lane's economy, and curriculum reform to address systemic racism.

Her academic leadership includes editorial roles at Identities and Ethnic and Racial Studies, and she serves as a Trustee for the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Active Communities Network. Notable contributions include the Banglastories educational platform and the Our Migration Story initiative, recognized with awards like the Royal Historical Society Prize and Guardian Research Impact Award.

• Education: Extensive academic background in sociology and migration studies (details unspecified in text)

Research Interests:

• Racial and ethnic inequalities
• Muslim identities and activism
• Ethnography of youth cultures
• Oral history methodologies
• Historical curriculum reform
• Bangladeshi diaspora dynamics

Key Projects:

• "Re-Visiting the Asian Gang" (longitudinal study on South Asian Muslim masculinities)
• "Covid19 and ethnic inequality" (ESRC-funded pandemic impact analysis)
• "Beyond Banglatown" (urban economic study of Brick Lane)

Awards:

• Royal Historical Society Public History Prize (2018)
• Guardian University Award for Research Impact (2019)
• Community Integration Award (2017)

Grants & Advising:

• PhD supervision on topics like South Asian activism, diaspora identities, and safeguarding youth
• Over £2M in research funding from ESRC, AHRC, and charitable trusts

Her work bridges academia, policy, and public engagement, aiming to challenge systemic racism and promote inclusive narratives in education and urban spaces.