Claire Alexander – författare

India’s partition in 1947 and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 saw the displacement and resettling of millions of Muslims and Hindus, resulting in profound transformations across the region. A third of the region’s population sought shelter across new borders, almost all of them resettling in the Bengal delta itself. A similar number were internally displaced, while others moved to the Middle East, North America and Europe.Using a creative interdisciplinary approach combining historical, sociological and anthropological approaches to migration and diaspora this book explores the experiences of Bengali Muslim migrants through this period of upheaval and transformation. It draws on over 200 interviews conducted in Britain, India, and Bangladesh, tracing migration and settlement within, and from, the Bengal delta region in the period after 1947. Focussing on migration and diaspora ‘from below’, it teases out fascinating ‘hidden’ migrant stories, including those of women, refugees, and displaced people. It reveals surprising similarities, and important differences, in the experience of Muslim migrants in widely different contexts and places, whether in the towns and hamlets of Bengal delta, or in the cities of Britain. Counter-posing accounts of the structures that frame migration with the textures of how migrants shape their own movement, it examines what it means to make new homes in a context of diaspora. The book is also unique in its focus on the experiences of those who stayed behind, and in its analysis of ruptures in the migration process. Importantly, the book seeks to challenge crude attitudes to ‘Muslim’ migrants, which assume their cultural and religious homogeneity, and to humanize contemporary discourses around global migration. This ground-breaking new research offers an essential contribution to the field of South Asian Studies, Diaspora Studies, and Society and Culture Studies.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Stuart Hall’s work in shaping the field of racial and ethnic studies for nearly five decades. From his groundbreaking work Policing the Crisis through to his paradigm shattering ‘New Ethnicities’, Hall’s writing has redefined how race research is thought and done, while Hall himself stands as an exemplar of the public and politically engaged intellectual. This collection of essays, from established and emerging scholars, critically engages with Hall’s legacy across this body of work, from the foundations of cultural studies as a field of enquiry, through his work on race and articulation, to his insights into ‘the politics of difference’ and diaspora identities. These essays both reflect back on Hall’s interventions and locate them within some of the key spaces and questions of our time – from the ‘political theology’ of race in South Africa to the terrain of the contemporary city, from reflections on memory, nationhood and belonging to new ethnicities online and the formation of postcolonial subjectivities. The collection includes an in-depth conversation between Les Back and Stuart Hall, in which Hall reflects on his career and explores the challenges facing contemporary multicultural, multifaith societies in a globalised world. This book was published as a special issue of Cultural Studies.

Issues of identity, culture and difference remain central to the politics, policies and encounters of global societies in the 21st century. Changes in the speed, scale, scope and form of international and internal migration, new and resurgent religious and ethnic solidarities, the emergence of ‘new’ multicultural societies, and the fusions and fissures of ‘old’ multicultural societies, have challenged and redrawn our understandings of nation and community, citizenship and belonging, exclusion and equality. This landmark collection, which marks the relaunch of the ground-breaking journal Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power, brings together some of the leading international scholars in the field of race, ethnicity, migration and transnationalism to reflect on the changing landscape of research, theorisation and politics in this challenging contemporary context. The collection includes a powerful and typically provocative article by renowned race scholar Paul Gilroy, along with short ‘state of the field’ articles, critical interventions and think-pieces, each of which explores different geographical regions, emerging areas of research and new ways of ‘thinking’ identity in ‘uncertain times’. This book was originally published as a special issue of Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power.

In this follow-up to the A Little Bit Different and A Little Bit of Courage, the Ploofers are back for a heartwarming exploration of self-awareness and respect.The Ploofers are visiting a new island and are excited to meet the residents. But when one islander singles out Little One as an adorable cutie pie, Little One isn't happy and becomes frustrated with the way he is being treated. Will Little One learn to be assertive and stand up for himself? With simple, striking illustrations and a cutaway cover design that adds tactile interest, A Little Bit of Respect picks up right where A Little Bit of Courage left off. With a subtle yet powerful message about the importance of self-respect and respecting others, this book will resonate with children and adults alike.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Stuart Hall’s work in shaping the field of racial and ethnic studies for nearly five decades. From his groundbreaking work Policing the Crisis through to his paradigm shattering ‘New Ethnicities’, Hall’s writing has redefined how race research is thought and done, while Hall himself stands as an exemplar of the public and politically engaged intellectual. This collection of essays, from established and emerging scholars, critically engages with Hall’s legacy across this body of work, from the foundations of cultural studies as a field of enquiry, through his work on race and articulation, to his insights into ‘the politics of difference’ and diaspora identities. These essays both reflect back on Hall’s interventions and locate them within some of the key spaces and questions of our time – from the ‘political theology’ of race in South Africa to the terrain of the contemporary city, from reflections on memory, nationhood and belonging to new ethnicities online and the formation of postcolonial subjectivities. The collection includes an in-depth conversation between Les Back and Stuart Hall, in which Hall reflects on his career and explores the challenges facing contemporary multicultural, multifaith societies in a globalised world. This book was published as a special issue of Cultural Studies.

Issues of identity, culture and difference remain central to the politics, policies and encounters of global societies in the 21st century. Changes in the speed, scale, scope and form of international and internal migration, new and resurgent religious and ethnic solidarities, the emergence of ‘new’ multicultural societies, and the fusions and fissures of ‘old’ multicultural societies, have challenged and redrawn our understandings of nation and community, citizenship and belonging, exclusion and equality. This landmark collection, which marks the relaunch of the ground-breaking journal Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power, brings together some of the leading international scholars in the field of race, ethnicity, migration and transnationalism to reflect on the changing landscape of research, theorisation and politics in this challenging contemporary context. The collection includes a powerful and typically provocative article by renowned race scholar Paul Gilroy, along with short ‘state of the field’ articles, critical interventions and think-pieces, each of which explores different geographical regions, emerging areas of research and new ways of ‘thinking’ identity in ‘uncertain times’. This book was originally published as a special issue of Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power.

India’s partition in 1947 and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 saw the displacement and resettling of millions of Muslims and Hindus, resulting in profound transformations across the region. A third of the region’s population sought shelter across new borders, almost all of them resettling in the Bengal delta itself. A similar number were internally displaced, while others moved to the Middle East, North America and Europe.Using a creative interdisciplinary approach combining historical, sociological and anthropological approaches to migration and diaspora this book explores the experiences of Bengali Muslim migrants through this period of upheaval and transformation. It draws on over 200 interviews conducted in Britain, India, and Bangladesh, tracing migration and settlement within, and from, the Bengal delta region in the period after 1947. Focussing on migration and diaspora ‘from below’, it teases out fascinating ‘hidden’ migrant stories, including those of women, refugees, and displaced people. It reveals surprising similarities, and important differences, in the experience of Muslim migrants in widely different contexts and places, whether in the towns and hamlets of Bengal delta, or in the cities of Britain. Counter-posing accounts of the structures that frame migration with the textures of how migrants shape their own movement, it examines what it means to make new homes in a context of diaspora. The book is also unique in its focus on the experiences of those who stayed behind, and in its analysis of ruptures in the migration process. Importantly, the book seeks to challenge crude attitudes to ‘Muslim’ migrants, which assume their cultural and religious homogeneity, and to humanize contemporary discourses around global migration. This ground-breaking new research offers an essential contribution to the field of South Asian Studies, Diaspora Studies, and Society and Culture Studies.

Three Women. One Family. A Lifetime of Secrets.From the author of Meredith, Alone comes an unforgettable exploration of identity, resilience, and the bonds we can't break.'Beautifully written, a story of womanhood in all its facets. I loved it!’ AMANDA PROWSE‘Claire Alexander writes about our deepest emotional truths with acuity and a sense of hope’ JO LEEVERS‘This book really was a real page turner, and I couldn't wait to pick it up as often as possible’ 5* Reader Review‘A gorgeous, moving novel that I loved and would highly recommend’ 5* Reader Review‘I cried reading this. Just beautiful and one of those books that will stay in my mind’ 5* Reader Review--Three generations of women. Three life altering events. As they discover the truth of their heritage, they'll discover what makes the pieces of us... At fifty-eight Minnie McAllister isn’t an old woman. But as Alzheimer’s ravages her mind, her brain says otherwise.Cat McAllister is tackling everything life can throw at her. And just when she thinks it can’t get any worse, she’s faced with the discovery that Minnie might not be the mother she once knew.Meanwhile, Cat's daughter, Ruby McAllister, who is staring at a two very blue lines, faces a decision that will change the course of her life.As three generations of women are pulled in three different directions, each are forced to learn lessons about themselves that they never could have imagined. Praise for Meredith, Alone:'Gorgeous. I shed tears. Very, very touching, sweet and hopeful' MARIAN KEYES'Heartbreaking and glorious . . . [An] absolute joy of a novel' HEAT, 'BOOK OF THE WEEK''Beautiful, moving and unexpectedly timely' DAISY BUCHANAN'Touching and funny and sad and hopeful. I loved Meredith, Alone so much!' JANE FALLON 'If you like a book that makes you feel all the feels, this is the one to go for' MIRANDA DICKINSON'I bowed down to the brilliant author of this brilliant book' GILLIAN McALLISTER'Sweet, moving, funny and hopeful, with a courageous heroine who sweeps you up' JENNIFER SAINT

An uplifting and unforgettable story of love, hope – and finding you're not alone . . .NAMED 'ONE TO WATCH' IN GRAZIA, CULTUREFLY, THE BOOKSELLER AND BY THE BBC'Gorgeous. I shed tears. Very, very touching, sweet and hopeful' MARIAN KEYES'Heartbreaking and glorious . . . [An] absolute joy of a novel' HEAT, 'BOOK OF THE WEEK''Beautiful, moving and unexpectedly timely. It's such a pleasure to spend time in Meredith's world' DAISY BUCHANAN'Touching and funny and sad and hopeful. I loved Meredith, Alone so much!' JANE FALLON________Meredith Maggs has everything a person needs.A best friend in Sadie.A beloved cat in Fred.Jigsaws to fill the time.Recipes to perfect.Even a weekly visit from the Tesco delivery guy.So what if she hasn't left the house in 1,214 days? That her memories are treacherous, and it's getting harder to ignore the estranged sister knocking at her door.How long can one woman keep the world out?How long before she invites in what's out there?And how long does it take to discover the person you were meant to be?________'Absolutely gorgeous. If you like a book that makes you feel all the feels, this is the one to go for' Miranda Dickinson'I laughed, I cried, and I bowed down to the brilliant author of this brilliant book' Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of That Night'Thought provoking, relatable and hopeful. Ultimately this is a very human novel with a huge amount of heart' Culturefly, 'Books To Look Forward To''A gorgeous, charming novel . . . Sweet, moving, funny and hopeful, with a courageous heroine who sweeps you up in her story' Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne'This will be big' The Bookseller Editor's Choice

Sometimes all you need is your imagination…It’s a rainy day, and Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors, wondering what to play next. Suddenly, Kiki has an idea for a new game. “All you have to do,” she explains, “is think up a Think-Up and it will appear!” And she thinks up … BUNNIES! Then they conjure up the most marvellous, magnificent MOOSE! And octopi! And nine HUNGRY koalas! Hmm … is it possible to UN-think a Think-Up? With half-cut pages that make for funny surprises at every turn, this is a fresh celebration of imaginary play for the youngest of children.

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. 50 years after the establishment of the Runnymede Trust and the Race Relations Act of 1968 which sought to end discrimination in public life, this accessible book provides commentary by some of the UK’s foremost scholars of race and ethnicity on data relating to a wide range of sectors of society, including employment, health, education, criminal justice, housing and representation in the arts and media.It explores what progress has been made, identifies those areas where inequalities remain stubbornly resistant to change, and asks how our thinking around race and ethnicity has changed in an era of Islamophobia, Brexit and an increasingly diverse population.

Sometimes all you need is your imagination…It’s a rainy day, and Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors, wondering what to play next. Suddenly, Kiki has an idea for a new game. “All you have to do,” she explains, “is think up a Think-Up and it will appear!” And she thinks up … BUNNIES! Then they conjure up the most marvellous, magnificent MOOSE! And octopi! And nine HUNGRY koalas! Hmm … is it possible to UN-think a Think-Up? With half-cut pages that make for funny surprises at every turn, this is a fresh celebration of imaginary play for the youngest of children.