Beyond Us and Them is a research project in partnership with the University of Kent’s Centre for the Study of Group Processes looking at the effects of Covid-19 on social cohesion. The project is funded by Nuffield Foundation.

This study seeks to understand factors that promote or inhibit social cooperation, that mobilise or discourage action in support of others, and that build or undermine the potential for positive relationships between different groups in society in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. Understanding the social and psychological processes in responses to the pandemic will support policy to build resilience and recovery in local areas as the crisis proceeds and recedes.

The project has been generously funded by the Nuffield Foundation and has recently been awarded further funds from the Foundation to extend into 2021.

The project has four interconnected components: a longitudinal eight-wave survey in three regions of Britain; longitudinal six-wave surveys in six local authority areas that have prioritised social cohesion, and with community activists in hyperlocal communities; three-wave surveys in four metropolitan areas; and a deep-dive qualitative exploration of cohesion in the regions, local authority areas, metropolitan areas and among community activists. Data collection is taking place between May 2020 and July 2021. Our interim report will be available in February 2021 and our final report will be out in August 2021.

The study is being led by Professor Dominic Abrams as principal investigator with co-investigators Dr Fanny Lalot, also from the Centre for the Study of Group Processes and Jo Broadwood, CEO of Belong.

We will be publishing our interim results, case studies and final reports here so please check back for the latest on the project.