Social Problems in the UK

Dr Stuart Isaacs is a senior lecturer in Social Policy and Sociology at London Metropolitan University. He is the co-author of Contemporary Political Theorists in Context (2009) and Political Theorists in Context (2004), as well as the sole author of The Politics and Philosophy of Michael Oakeshott (2006), all published by Routledge. His research interests are in political and social theory. He has recently been made a University Teaching Fellow in recognition of his outstanding contribution to teaching and learning. David Blundell worked as a primary school teacher and then taught education students at South Bank and North London universities. David established community sport clubs with young people in Hackney before joining London Metropolitan University as Principal Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences in 2006. Anne Foley is an Academic Liaison Librarian and has worked with students & staff in the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences & Humanities at London Metropolitan University for several years. Her research interests are in the areas of information literacy, digital literacy, problem-based learning & learning transfer. Norman Ginsburg has been Professor of Social Policy at London Metropolitan University since 1996. His research interests are the comparative impact of social policy on social injustice and inequality, and the social effects of urban regeneration and housing policy. He is the author of Divisions of Welfare: An Introduction to Comparative Social Policy, Sage (1992). Recent publications include articles on globalization and the liberal welfare states, social policy in Sweden, social aspects of urban regeneration, the privatisation of council housing, and on globalization and racism. Dr Brian McDonough is Senior Lecturer and Course Leader of Sociology, and Associate Director of the International Centre for Community Development at London Metropolitan University. His doctoral research involved an ethnographic study of experts’ use of technology at work. His research interests include work and the use of information and communication technologies. Dr Daniel Silverstone is Principal Lecturer and overall course leader for Criminology in the School of Social Science at London Metropolitan University His expertise is in the area of organised crime, drugs and the night-time economy and illegal firearms use. He has published widely in the field for a number of scholarly journals including, Global Crime, Criminology and Criminal Justice and Policy Studies. Tara Young is a Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences at London Metropolitan University. She has expertise in qualitative research and is currently undertaking research into interpersonal relationships between gang members and their intimate others (e.g. partners, parents, carers, siblings). She has published academic papers on gang violence and the experiences of women in UK gangs (Young, 2009; Young, 2011) and completed studies related to violence against women, multiple perpetrator rape, and the role of the family in facilitating gang membership, criminality and desistance.

1.Introduction  2.Understanding and Defining Social Problems,  3. Researching Social Problems,  4. Poverty,  5.Work and Unemployment,  6. Migration,  7. Childhood and Education,  8. Organised Crime and It’s Policing,  9. Youth Gangs,  10. Conclusion