What can culture, and its manifestations in artistic and creative forms, ‘do’? Creativity and resistance in a hostile world draws on original collaborative research that brings together a range of stories and perspectives on the role of creativity and resistance in a hostile world. In times of racial nationalism across the world, this volume seeks to understand how creative acts have agitated for social change. The book suggests that creative actions themselves, and acting together creatively, can at the same time offer vital sources of hope.

Drawing on a series of case studies, this volume focuses on the past and emergent grassroots arts work that has responded to racisms, the legacies of colonialism or the depredations of capitalist employment across several contexts and locations, including England, Northern Ireland and India. The book makes a timely intervention, foregrounding the value of creativity for those who are commonly marginalised from centres of power, including from the mainstream cultural industries. The authors also critically reflect on the possibilities and limitations of collaborative research within and beyond the academy.

Sarita Malik is Professor of Media, Culture and Communications at Brunel University London

Churnjeet Mahn is a Reader in English at the University of Strathclyde

Michael Pierse is a Senior Lecturer in Irish Literature at Queen's University Belfast

Ben Rogaly is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Sussex