From Multiculturalism to Diversity: Mapping the Field

Abstract

The study of diversity has attracted much attention in the last few years and in the context of the emergence of super-diversity. Especially cultural and religious diversity and the ways in which people negotiate their relations with each other have been the subject of research in cities across the world. This chapter contextualizes the study presented in this book in a broader context of diversity studies across the UK and beyond and adds a comparative perspective. While I discuss some of the relevant concepts to urban diversity and social life within the chapters of the book, for example surrounding conviviality civility and cosmopolitanism in chapters 3 and 4, I will here give an overview of recent policy and academic discourses relating to immigration-related diversity. Furthermore, I will discuss concepts such as ‘social milieus’ and discussions about the role of the neighbourhood regarding social relations.