Manmit Bhambra

Dr Manmit Bhambra serves as a Research Officer at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he is actively engaged with the Religion and Global Society research unit. His work focuses on the intersection of faith, identity, and social dynamics, particularly in multicultural urban contexts like London.

Specializing in identity politics, Dr Bhambra emphasizes how faith functions as an underestimated identity category that significantly shapes individual experiences. His research demonstrates that the multiplicity of identity is central to understanding how people navigate their lives in contemporary society. He has taught across various social science disciplines for many years, bringing this expertise to his current research endeavors.

Dr Bhambra is currently coordinating the Religion and Global Society unit's inaugural project titled 'Strengthening Religious Cooperation in Global London: Religious Community and Interfaith Relations in the COVID-19 Era,' with particular focus on how young people from faith communities navigate interfaith relations. Additionally, he is completing a research project at the Middle East Centre examining '(Re)imagining young Muslim Women? Comparing Public Responses to Ms Marvel in non-Muslim and Muslim Societies.'

His methodological approach involves extensive fieldwork with diverse populations. During the pandemic, he successfully adapted his research methodology from face-to-face interviews to online data collection, completing interviews with young people from diverse backgrounds in London. He has also launched an online survey as part of his research project.

Dr Bhambra's work has practical applications through planned training workshops for London stakeholders (from grassroots volunteers to policymakers) and a youth conference titled 'The Future of Interfaith: Youth Assembly for Global London.' His doctoral thesis, supervised by Professor Anthony Heath at Oxford, established the foundation for his ongoing research in social cohesion and identity.