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What is it like to be a young Muslim man in post-7/7 Britain, and what impact do wider political factors have on the multifaceted identities of young Muslim men? Drawn from the author's ethnographic research of British-born Muslim men in the English town of Luton, Being Young, Male and Muslim in Luton explores the everyday lives of the young men and, in particular, how their identity as Muslims has shaped the way they interact with each other, the local community and the wider world. Through a study of religious values, the pressures of masculinity, the complexities of family and social life, and attitudes towards work and leisure, Ashraf Hoque argues that young Muslims in Luton are subverting what it means to be 'British' through consciously prioritising and re-articulating self-confessed 'Muslim identities' in novel and dynamic ways that suit their experiences as a post-colonial diaspora. Employing extensive participant observation and rich interview content, Hoque paints a detailed picture of young Muslims living in a town consistently associated in the popular media with terrorist activity and as a hotbed for radicalisation. He challenges widely held assumptions about cultural segregation, gender relations and personal liberty in Muslim communities, and gives voice to an emerging generation of Muslims who view Britain as their home and are very much invested in the long-term future of the country and their permanent place within it. This short and accessible book will be of interest to students seeking grounding in Islam and Muslim communities in diaspora, and scholars from an array of social science and humanities backgrounds including Anthropology, Sociology of Religion, Political Science, Urban Studies and Cultural Studies.

A thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Luton ; This thesis is the study of the relationship between individuals and communities in the context of racialised minorities in the United Kingdom. The research examines the ways in which individuals belonging to the Kashmiri community articulate and manifest 'Kashmyriat' in conditions of diaspora. Specifically, the research is an investigation of the core features of Kashmiri identity. These were selected as being identifications based on culture, religion and the territorial identification with the land of Kashmir, the nature of culture conflict between individuals and community and differences between generations of Kashmiris and the role of gender identity in 'Kashmyriat'. The central premise is that identity is constantly updated, multiple and redefined in relation to contextual changes through a process of enculturation. Results of the research suggest that culture, religion and territorial identification with the land of Kashmir are central core features of Kashmiri identity in Luton. The younger generation appear to be maintaining a distinct and separate identity based partly on shared culture, religion and terrirotial identification with the land of Kashmir with the older generation whilst they are redefining their identity in response to the contexts in which they have been born and brought up. Gender identities appear to be less significant as part of overall identity development. Theoretically the thesis is an exploration of identity and its relationship to cultural identity among migrants. In this thesis I rely on qualitative ethnographic work as well as the quantitative research methodology of Identity Structure Analysis (ISA) to try and draw a textured analysis of Kashmiri identity transformation in the wake of immigration to Luton. Using the notion of enculturation the thesis sets out to deepen and make this concept more academically rigorous. Enculturation is deployed as a means to understanding the process of identity transformation. Results of the research suggest that culture, religion and affiliation with the land of Kashmir. Whilst they share the first two with other South Asian ethnicised communities in the United Kingdom it appears that the territorial affiliation with the land of Kashmir which can be translated as political identity is currently their self-defined identity. This is marking the Kashmiris as a national community whose individuals and collectivities centre their identity on 'Kashmyriat'.

There is a growing demand for human organs for transplantation, particularly of the kidney among the UK's Asian population which, due to problems with histocompatibility can only be met with a significant increase in the number of Asian donors. Only very recently have specific attempts been made to attract donors from Asian communities using 'ethnically-targeted mass media'. However, there is little information available on the effectiveness of these initiatives in providing information with regards to organ donation for the Asian population. An exploratory qualitative study was therefore undertaken in relation to this issue among a cross-section of the Asian population of Luton. The findings show that detailed information related to transplantation activity has been learned only through the experience of people undergoing transplants within the community and has been transmitted through these various informal networks rather than through the resources provided by the Department of Health. The limited success of campaigns to date is reflected in the fact that nearly half of the respondents in this survey did not know what a donor card was used for and approximately half of these had never seen one; only 6 people had heard of the National Donor Register. Of the 3 people who carried a donor card, 2 had an immediate family member who had undergone a transplant. Another example of the failure to inform effectively the relevant populations about important developments is that only 2 of the 32 muslims in the survey had heard of the 'fatwa' by the Muslim Legislative Council permitting organ donation. With the urgent need for greater numbers of donors from the Asian population, appropriate strategies for effective provision of information concerning organ donation and transplantation need to be developed quickly before the crisis worsens.

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ; Currently there is a critical shortage of transplantable organs in the UK. The existing evidence base highlights that cultural and religious norms can hinder familial consent and uptake of registration as an organ donor, particularly within ethnic minority groups. There is a dearth of information relating to the Polish community in the UK. Since the expansion of the European Union and the potential and consequent economic migration of Poles to the UK, this community presents a potential significant contribution to the active transplant waiting list, NHS Organ Donor Register and requests made for organs for donation on behalf of a relative. The aim of the study was to examine in depth, the perceptions of the relationship between deceased organ donation, gift exchange and religion. Due to the exploratory nature of the study, grounded theory methodology was used and one to one interviews were carried out with 31 participants who were recruited using a purposive convenience sampling strategy. This approach allowed for the collection of rich and deep data in a hitherto under-researched issue with the Polish community in the UK. To contextualise the key findings of the relationship, an in-depth analysis of settlement patterns, helping behaviour and experiences of and attitudes toward religion was conducted. The relationship between religion and gift-exchange was perceived to interact in different ways with deceased organ donation depending on the context. For the individual making an end-of-life choice, gift exchange impacted on the perception of the organ as a gift and whether reciprocity was expected, religion shaped views of the need for the body after death and social and cultural norms influenced the view of the 'typical' donor and family discussion of donation. For the relatives, social, religious and cultural norms impacted on death rituals and the conceptualisation of the dead body and experiences of a relative's death. This study contributes to an understanding of the social, cultural and religious norms toward deceased organ donation from a Polish perspective and the implications for policy, health promotion and clinical practice.

Currently the demand for transplant organs far outstrips the supply in the UK. This problem is even more severe for the Asian population, who have been shown to be disproportionately over-represented on transplant waiting lists in some regions of the UK. Several commentators have suggested that religious and cultural traditions may be the major determinant preventing Asians from donating organs. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken with the aim of examining the influence of religious beliefs, amongst other things, on the extent and direction of public attitudes towards organ donation in a cross-section of the Asian population in Luton. This study indicates that, in the population studied, culture and religion play a much less prohibitive part in determining the level of organ donation than previously suggested. However, there is a desire to be aware of the religious stances so that people can make a more informed decision. The emphasis should clearly been a reconsideration of the presently inadequate approaches to organ procurement and on devising and supplementing these with more appropriate ones. An example of the failure to inform effectively the relevant populations about important developments is that only two of the 32 Muslims in the survey had heard of the 'fatwa' by the Muslim Legislative Council permitting organ donation.

The art, science and politics of creating a mentally healthy society ; Recent research has suggested that there is limited information about mental health help-seeking among young African—Caribbean and South Asian communities. This study explores the mental health support needs and perceptions of the Samaritans among young African—Caribbean and South Asian people living in Luton. Five single-sex focus groups were conducted among the three main South Asian groups and African—Caribbeans in Luton. This paper describes the challenges faced by service providers and potential users from minority ethnic groups in respectively providing and accessing mental health services. Finally, the paper makes some recommendations for developing culturally competent and more visible service provision.

The processes of three area-based initiatives relating to health provision, urban and neighbourhood renewal in Luton are used to examine whether political participation affects social exclusion. Government policies presume that increased participation reduces exclusion, while critical literature questions the type of participation produced in state initiatives, and also whether the discourse of exclusion adequately articulates social inequality. Participation is analysed in its relations to power, the political and to a social typology. Exclusion is analysed by delineating its contested meaning, and developing a dialectical model of inclusion and exclusion, that enables exclusion to be prefigured both as an analytical concept and as a critical component for exploring inequality. This thesis explores the processes of participation and exclusion via voluntary and community groups by presenting a predominantly qualitative analysis of the frameworks and processes of participation and the circumstances and experiences of exclusion. The study finds that: • The participation of the voluntary and community groups in the initiatives was on an unequal basis with the statutory sector, it was constrained by bureaucratic procedures, and led to a combative relationship between the sectors in two of the initiatives. • The voluntary and community sectors -elements of which are here characterised as "remedial movements" -had some effects on micro-and mesolevel processes, but no direct effect on macro-policy that controls the initiatives. Participation in the groups and initiatives faced a number of structural dilemmas. • Social exclusion in the areas was heterogeneous, but associated with the lack of interactional processes that enable inclusion. The range of experiences of exclusion demonstrated what I shall define as an "inequality of capabilities for inclusion". The research concludes that participation via initiatives does not necessarily result in the total incorporation of the voluntary and community sector, and claims for rights to be recognised had both achieved gains and reflected an antagonistic, if complementary, approach by some groups to the state. If the aim is to increase participation, however, the evidence implies that it needs to be consistently driven; that while the initiatives have affected exclusion, their effects have been limited and are fragile, and that reducing inequality is necessary to enable inclusive participation.

Early intervention in psychotic illness is a key area of development in community mental health. In this first of a series of articles the basic concepts of early intervention in psychosis are described, as is the present policy of the UK government for developing early intervention services throughout England. The development of an early intervention service in Luton, Bedfordshire is then described. Subsequent articles will describe the three year outcomes of this service, compared with treatment as usual in a community mental health team.

A thesis submitted to University of Luton, Luton Business School, in partial ful filment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ; This dissertation uses a livelihood analysis approach to examine the potential role of tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction. While many studies have examined the role of tourism in economic and local area development in developing countries, this research focuses on understanding the impact of tourism upon the livelihoods of poor people, in this case Narok in Kenya. The thesis first reviews the theoretical explanations and definitions of poverty within the discourse of development studies. The key argument of the thesis is that the continued macro economic focus for tourism development in developing countries is inappropriate for targeting poverty. The macro economic disc0~[se assumes that the benefits of economic growth from tourism will trickle down through a series of economic multiplier processes to 'poorer' sections of the population. Yet, this research shows that poor people have different definitions of poverty from those that are conventionally used in macroeconomics. Poor people's definitions are based upon their own local circumstances of making a livelihood. It is argued that it is therefore necessary to understand the term 'poverty' as defined by the 'poor' in order to produce tourism strategies that are 'pro poor'. Using multiple methods and narratives of poverty experiences in the Narok District of Kenya, the study investigates the local perceptions of poverty amongst poor people that participate in tourism livelihood activities. Using a livelihood analysis, the study examines the economic, social and political factors that affect how poor are able to access and use tourism in their livelihoods. Subsequently, recommendations are made on the institutional structures that would enhance the livelihood opportunities for poor people in Narok. The research concludes that for tourism to maximize its contribution to poverty reduction, various policy and institutional adjustments are necessary in order to shift the economic benefits of tourism towards poor people. Such changes would not only secure the livelihoods of those already involved in tourism, but also expand the potential for poor people who are currently excluded from economic participation in tourism.

A thesis submitted to the Luton Business School, University of Luton, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ; The theme of this thesis is the involvement of employees from business/industry in the governance of state schools in England and Wales. Following a conceptual analysis and the identification of imprecision in the relevant legislation, the research was designed in two phases. The Phase 1 survey examined the extent of that involvement in 1994 and built up a profile of employee-governors, including their personal and company characteristics. A questionnaire was used to gather descriptive and enumerative data from the school governors employed by twelve national companies, with further qualitative data amassed through some open questions on the questionnaire a,!d from semi-structured interviews of company managers. From 1995 to 1997, Phase 2 assessed the purposes, functions and skills of governors from this sector, through a quasi-experimental design which gathered pre-test and post-test data from thirty-five co-opted business/industrial governors, their headteachers and their chairs of governors. A Likert-type scaling instrument and focus group discussions were used. The main findings from the 1994 survey were that there were few governors from business and industry and even fewer were in governance to represent that sector of the community; most were parent governors. These governors and their company managers felt, however, that there were appreciable benefits to be gained from company employees being school governors. Phase 2 showed that the sample of specifically co-opted business/industrial governors adopted the distinctive purposes of objectivity and non-executive judgement, and brought generic management skills to governance through their company experience at a strategic level. These skills were especially appreciated in inner city schools. The research was the first study of governors from across business and industry and advanced the first model of practice related to purpose for governors from this sector of the community. Aspects of this model have been used to inform the Labour Government's policy for recruiting business/industrial governors for inner city schools.

A thesis submitted to the Luton Business School, University of Luton, in fulfilment ofthe requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ; Successful Concurrent Engineering (CE) with suppliers requires a pre-disposition on the part of the prime company and the supplier to work in this manner. This thesis explores the impact of design ethos on the implementation of Supplier-inLoop (SIL) CE between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and a first tier supplier. Design ethos for the purpose of this thesis is described as 'a characteristic manner or approach to constraints on SIL displayed by personnel involved in the design of new products'. This research employs a mixed-method to understand SIL constraints across industry sectors. A design ethos framework is developed and a military design community is characterised in terms of anomalies to the existing literature. These anomalies are then tested through a questionnaire and then interpreted in terms of the design ethos framework. The results of this comparison show that some characteristics are common to both the civil and military design communities and some are not. A case is made that design ethos, in the context of SIL, is primarily determined by: suppliers' aptitude, skill level and contracts; problems with data I information exchange mechanisms; existing processes, relationships and management support; supplier history; technological view of the product; external influences on the process; existing design milestones; visibility of supplier capability; and, continuity of service in terms of skill and data security. The research concludes that the implementation of SIL is directly impacted by design ethos, and that for SIL to be a success in the military sector design ethos must be managed in line with business objectives. The contribution to knowledge that this thesis provides is the insight it offers into the human issues associated with implementing concurrent engineering with external suppliers, and the identification of sector-specific issues as well as those which will benefit from cross sectoral learning. It is of value to military and civil OEMs for purpose of change management, also to their suppliers in understanding the different needs of military and civil customers when working in a concurrent engmeenng manner.

An exploratory study of five UK local planning authorities (Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council, Milton Keynes Council, Luton Borough Council and Northampton Borough Council) is providing the basis for a review of the scope for developing knowledge management in this organizational sector. There has been substantial investment in the ICTs at this level of government and there is now evidence that collateral changes in the organizational and social environment are taking place in the agencies themselves and within the wider public which will enhance the capability of the planning system. These collateral changes can help to add value to the infrastructural investment. Such changes and reforms can help make the planning process efficient, effective and sustainable. An understanding of these processes is the key to developing a sustainable planning system which is not only technically efficient but better able to be effective through improved communication processes and knowledge management. Initial field studies have inspired the development of a number of models which will then be further tested. A selection of the model structures are introduced in this paper in the content of a number of key research objectives.

There has been a strong tradition of attempting to embed HIA in policy and decision-making at national and local levels in England. This presentation will look at the experience of Luton and Stoke-on-Trent and the approaches they have used to embed, and continue to embed, HIA in local policy and decision-making processes. Both places have neighbourhoods with high levels of poverty and deprivation. There are interesting similarities and differences in the approach both have used. Each has developed an approach that is best suited to their local political and strategic policy context particularly in relation to the priority health and wellbeing needs of their local communities. Key barriers have been getting political and executive support, recognition and commitment from other local government departments on the need to consider the community health impacts of their policy and decision-making; and the difficulty in developing and sustaining capacity to commission, undertaken and scrutinise HIAs. Key enablers have been having a HIA and Health in All Policies (HiAP) champion to advocate and provide support for HIA, long term political and executive vision and support for HIA and HiAP, advocacy and building support across departments, regulation that required HIAs or a consideration of community health in national and local planning and policy making; and having a multi-strand approach to conducting and requiring HIAs: integrated, rapid screening-based and in-depth forms of HIA.

This research is an exploratory study of innovative communication channels, effective coordination strategy and integrated knowledge management in the UK local government planning system. The UK local government planning system at present suffers delays, which slow down or prevent people building new homes, creating new facilities and bringing disused or neglected land and buildings back into productive use. This study has been carried out in the subject area to explore enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in the UK local government planning system. An integrated knowledge-based planning system is considered as an appropriate solution to achieve smart and sustainable development in the local government planning system. This research study is based primarily upon fieldwork conducted in five participating local authorities in the South East Midlands (Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes Council and Northampton Borough Council) and on literature drawn from many different disciplines. A mixed methods approach is chosen for the research fieldwork. The key data collection methods applied during the fieldwork include: structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, online group forums, email correspondence, prearranged observations, literature review, document analysis and reviews of the local government publications and their statistical reports. The key purpose of this study is to investigate how the planning system in the UK local government can be transformed from its current "As-Is" state towards a smart and sustainable development future "To-Be" state.

A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Luton ; This thesis concentrates upon a largely neglected subject wi thin contemporary political history, that is the transition in London government from the London County Council (L.C.C.) to the Greater London Council (G.L.C.). It is a study of the actions and reactions of poli tical parties at central government, county council, and district council level, and incorporates the role of non-political party pressure groups. The bulk of the thesis is concerned with the L.C.C. area. Consideration is, however, given to the non-L.C.C. area incorporated into the larger C.L.C. This work demonstrates that there was no consensus regarding the need for reform. It is argued that the lack of consensus led to compromises that failed to satisfy many interested groups and thus the C.L.C. was often perceived to be flawed. This thesis derives from an exhaustive literature search and extensive reading. The records of political parties were very useful. Newspapers and journals aided research, as did a series of interviews with key surviving individuals. A further source of information were the minutes of various local authorities and connected bodies. Previously unavailable records have been used, for example, Conservative Party and Government records. With the aid of these new sources this work uniquely concentrates on exposing the political constraints and biases that caused a flawed local government system to be introduced.