Intimidation, slurs and threats – study uncovers 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."

The research team has produced a series of reports which detail the project findings in full, alongside a short film which showcases some of the stories of research participants within this study. The reports are available online.