Centre for Suburban Studies

The Centre for Suburban Studies is committed to pioneering an interdisciplinary socio-cultural approach to the study of suburbia and suburban life.

The definition of suburbia now embraces a wide range of developments from New Towns to Council Estates. National census returns record 86% of the British population as living in the following suburban categories: Suburban/Urban (19th century suburbs) - 23%, Suburban (20th century suburbs) - 43%, Suburban/Rural (scattered small estates in open land) - 20%. It is clear that the old stereotypical associations are no longer relevant to these vibrant sites of social mobility and ethnic diversity, which offer a model for local living in a global society.

The main research areas of the Centre include:

• Cultural representations of suburbia
• Suburban Life Histories and Life Writings
• Suburban Identities: Ethnicity, Sexuality, Gender, Class
• Sustainability and Suburban Lifestyles
• The Role of City-Suburbs in City-Regions
• The Impact of New Technologies on the Suburbs

We welcome approaches from the media, individuals, institutions and businesses interested in suburb-related topics.

Contact us