Les Back

Professor Les Back is Head of Sociology at the University of Glasgow, leading the Department of Sociology within the School of Social and Political Sciences. Previously, he served as Director of the Centre for Urban and Community Research at Goldsmiths, University of London. His career began as a youth worker in London, shaping his focus on race, urban culture, and public engagement.

Education includes prior roles at institutions like Birkbeck College and the Thomas Coram Research Unit. His research spans racism, multiculturalism, urban studies, and the sociology of music, with over 70 journal articles and 11 authored/co-authored books. Notable works include Migrant City (2018) and The Unfinished Politics of Race (2022).

Research interests emphasize blurring academic and public spheres through podcasts like Street Signs and Recovering Community. He has secured grants totaling over £2 million, including projects on racial harassment, immigrant youth inclusion, and oral histories of reggae.

Supervised 31 PhD students focusing on topics like knife crime, refugee reception, and racial dynamics in Germany. Teaching innovations include the Field Fables Project and immersive urban sociology courses. A vocal advocate for decolonizing social science curricula and addressing institutional racism in academia.