Common Ground, Foundational Media, and the Future of Social Cohesion
Social cohesion is often discussed as though it is something that happens after the “real” work of public services is done. Housing, health, education, policing, […]
Social Cohesion
Public Purpose Media and the Conditions for Social Cohesion
This article examines the findings of Parallel Lives: 25 years on and considers how social cohesion is shaped by psychological, neighbourhood and narrative factors. It […]
The Migratory Social Network – Rethinking Migration Through Community Media
Migration is not a solitary act. It is not merely the movement of individuals from one place to another in search of work, refuge, or […]
Rethinking Community Media – From Fragmentation to Shared Civic Life
In a recent speech, the UK Prime Minister warned that Britain risks becoming an “island of strangers,” raising a sharp challenge to those working in […]
Strengthening Integration Through Community Media – A Response to the UK Government’s Immigration Reforms
The UK Government’s latest immigration strategy, detailed in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System White Paper (May 2025), sets out a significant recalibration of […]
Community Media and Social Cohesion – A Role in Rebuilding Trust
Recent events in Leicester have highlighted the challenges of maintaining social cohesion in an era where misinformation, online influence, and institutional distrust shape public perception. […]
Reclaiming Our Media – Why the UK Must Act Now to Rebuild a Resilient Media Ecosystem
Yesterday I attended the Ofcom Workplan 2025 meeting in London, where I raised concerns about the control of social media platforms by unfriendly oligarchs, the […]
Globalised Culture and the Challenge of Mythogenetic Pluralism
Joseph Campbell, in his exploration of mythology, often addressed the ‘mythogenetic’ process—the way myths are born, evolve, and shape human culture. His concern about the […]
Segregated or Integrated Identities for Social Cohesion
This set of notes was prompted by an exchange on X with Ted Cantle. Following our discussion, I have ordered Amartya Sen’s book Identity and […]
Social Cohesion Strategy Challenge – A Role for Community Media
As we reflect on the events of the summer of 2024, it is clear that fostering social cohesion requires a bold, inclusive, and collaborative approach. […]
Cultural Democracy – Anticipating Opposing Outcomes
The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK is a comprehensive report produced by Culture Commons in collaboration with thirty partners from the UK’s creative, […]
Belong Social Cohesion Statement – What Role for Media?
A joint report, “After the Riots: Building the Foundations for Social Cohesion,” has been published in response to the violent unrest across the UK in […]
Ofcom Local Media Review – Initial Comments
I started to gather my thoughts about Ofcom’s Local Media Interim Report shortly after it was published, then events took over, and the context changed. […]
Mob Mentalities – The Overwhelming of the Collective Unconscious
Carl Jung’s theory on mob mentality is rooted in his concept of the collective unconscious. Jung posited that the collective unconscious is a part of […]
Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Violence in Leicester – Social Cohesion Media
On Saturday 13th July 2024, I attended the opening hearing of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Violence in Leicester in 2022. The event […]