New Study Exposes Experiences of Racism in Rural England

A study into racism in rural England has found many minority ethnic individuals and families feel the countryside is an unwelcoming and unsafe place to visit.

The research, conducted by the University of Leicester’s Centre for Hate Studies, revealed people have faced hostility in the countryside, including name-calling, racial slurs, intimidation and even threats.

Drawing from comprehensive fieldwork undertaken throughout England, including 115 in-depth interviews and an analysis of online hate, the Rural Racism Project offers the most detailed account to date of what it’s like to live in or visit rural areas for members of minority ethnic communities. The findings reveal a complex picture: a longing for peace and belonging; a deep respect for the countryside and the beauty of rural space; but at the same time a common experience of conscious and unconscious racial stereotyping, exclusionary behaviours and open hostility.

Led by Professor Neil Chakraborti, Professor Corinne Fowler and Dr Amy Clarke, and funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant, the project examined issues of racism in places like remote hamlets, market towns and seasonal tourist spots. It identified that barriers such as cost, fear of discrimination and limited cultural visibility restrict access and belonging for many minority ethnic visitors and residents. The research highlighted many forms of overt and subtle hostility, including persistent staring and hostile body language alongside more explicit incidents such as name-calling, racial slurs, intimidation and threats. These experiences were not isolated, but part of a broader pattern of exclusion which inflicted deep emotional, psychological and sometimes physical wounds, and which eroded people’s sense of safety, identity and belonging.

In addition to highlighting these challenges, the research drew from the testimonies of research participants across rural England to identify positive steps that have been taken to make the countryside more inclusive.

Dr Rachel Keighley, one of the project’s lead researchers, said:

"There are some easy steps we can all take. Acknowledging people’s experiences and validating the harm caused is the most important. Then, we can start conversations in our own social circles to raise awareness and challenge the everyday behaviours and assumptions that exclude others".

Dr Viji Kuppan, another project researcher, said:

"While our research uncovered the seriousness of racism in rural areas, many participants from minoritised ethnic backgrounds also spoke of a deep appreciation and connection to the English countryside. In addition, our findings document the strength of rural communities in offering support, generosity and friendship to minoritised residents and visitors. At the heart of our research is an invitation to redouble our efforts to reimagine rural England as a place of belonging, one that embraces multiple histories, identities, and futures".

Find out more about this project here

Speaking to the BBC about this project, Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, said:

"The Rural Services Network welcomes any work which shines a light on the lived experiences of people in rural communities, including research of this kind. While our core focus as an organisation is on ensuring rural areas have fair access to services, funding and opportunities, we fully recognise that inclusion and a sense of belonging are fundamental to the health and resilience of those communities. We have not yet had sight of the full report, but the findings you outline are deeply concerning and reflect experiences that cannot be ignored. Although racism is not an area of expertise for the RSN, we would stress that any form of discrimination undermines community cohesion and people’s ability to access services on an equal footing. Everybody deserves to feel safe, respected, and able to thrive in the communities where they live, work and learn. Tackling racism in rural communities requires more than goodwill. It means ensuring that schools, local authorities, health services and other rural providers are properly resourced and equipped with the skills, training and confidence to respond effectively. National policy also has a role in recognising that inclusion is integral to building resilient rural communities. We will read the report with interest and would hope that its recommendations will inform national and local conversations about how to make rural England inclusive and welcoming for everyone. Integral to this is ensuring that services and policymakers look at issues at the most local level possible. Too often the realities of small rural communities are hidden when decisions are based on larger geographical areas, and this risks their specific needs being overlooked".