Trosolwg
Ralph Fevre has been Professor of Social Research in the Cardiff School of Social Sciences since 1995.
Current Project

Insight into Ill Treatment in the British Workplace
Planning for this long-term research project on the British workplace began in 2006 and led to an ESRC award in the following year. The spine of the project consists of two representative surveys of British employees, the British Workplace Behaviour Survey (BWBS), which is the largest representative study of workplace ill-treatment so far conducted anywhere in the world, and, in the following year, the Fair Treatment at Work Survey (FTWS), which allowed the repetition of some questions asked in the BWBS.
Four qualitative case studies complete the dataset. These were effectively four separate research programmes undertaken in well-known British companies. The case studies helped us to pin-point the major causes of the ill-treatment of employees and the actions that organisations could take to bring about better treatment.
For more information on the project please visit the dedicated web pages by clicking here.
Books
Trouble at Work
Whether it is bullying, harassment or stress $acirc; is always in the headlines. Yet, in many discussions, the research and statistics that are cited prove unreliable. This book summarises the largest specialist research programme on ill-treatment in the workplace so far undertaken. It provides a powerful antidote to half-truths and misinformation and offers a new way of conceptualizing trouble at work, moving the discussion away from individualized explanations $acirc; and talk of $acirc; bullies$acirc; and $acirc; victims$acirc; $acirc; towards the workplace characteristics that cause trouble at work. The biggest problems arise where organisations fail to create a workplace culture in which individuals really matter. Paradoxically, these are often the organisations which are well-versed in modern management practices. Even though they may try their best to avoid the most troubled workplaces, minority employees continue to suffer more ill-treatment than others.
Authored by Ralph Fevre, Duncan Lewis, Amanda Robinson and Trevor Jones and published by Bloomsbury in June 2012.
Dead White Men and Other Important People: Sociology's Big Ideas
$acirc; Even if sociology had some big ideas, Mila knew that she would have a fundamental problem in recognising them because she was so lacking in confidence about her intellectual abilities and motivation$acirc; ¦ She would find out whether something really was a big idea by explaining it to other people. If they were suitably impressed or, at least, were not able to undermine her faith in the idea, then that would make it big enough and important enough to count.$acirc;
Authored by Ralph Fevre and Angus Bancroft and published in March 2010 by Palgrave this is a textbook with a twist. Written as a novel, it follows the story of Mila, a new sociology student who is grappling with social theory for the first time. Making it her mission to find out what makes sociology so important, Mila tries out theoretical ideas by chatting with her new university friends and family back at home. As she begins to understand how social theory can be applied to everyday experiences, she starts to look at the world around her in a new light.
Thinkers: Blumer $acirc; Bourdieu $acirc; Butler $acirc; Chomsky $acirc; Cicourel $acirc; Comte $acirc; Collins $acirc; Connell $acirc; Cooley $acirc; Engels $acirc; Durkheim $acirc; Garfinkel $acirc; Goffman $acirc; Fanon $acirc; Foucault $acirc; Hall $acirc; Marx $acirc; Mead $acirc; Parsons $acirc; Peirce $acirc; Schutz $acirc; Simmel $acirc; Weber
Themes: body $acirc; capitalism $acirc; colonialism $acirc; division of labour $acirc; emotions $acirc; the Enlightenment $acirc; ethnomethodology $acirc; feminism $acirc; feudalism $acirc; functionalism $acirc; gender $acirc; industrialism $acirc; inequality $acirc; liberalism $acirc; love $acirc; modernity $acirc; morality $acirc; nationality $acirc; popular culture $acirc; post-colonialism $acirc; power $acirc; science and knowledge $acirc; social bonds $acirc; class $acirc; social constructionism $acirc; society $acirc; state $acirc; symbolic interactionism $acirc;
The New Sociology of Economic Behaviour
The New Sociology of Economic Behaviour (Sage, 2003) argues that the sociology of economic behaviour was hijacked by the economic sociology which grew out of Parsons' interpretation of Weber and seeks to revitalize the classical approach to develop critiques of current economic arrangements.
The Demoralization of Western Culture
The Demoralization of Western Culture (Continuum, 2000) argues that contemporary confusion and uncertainty about morality arises from the popularity of a particular sort of reasoning, a sub-category of rationality called $acirc; common sense$acirc; which came to dominate our thinking during the twentieth century.
Earlier Books
Earlier books include: Wales is Closed (1989), The Sociology of Labour Markets (1992) and (edited with Andrew Thompson) Nation, Identity and Social Theory (1999).
Bywgraffiad
Ralph Fevre has a B.A. in Sociology and Economics from the University of Durham and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Aberdeen. Ralph came to Cardiff in 1995 after holding teaching and research posts in the University of Wales since 1982. He has served a number of terms as Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Teaching and Learning and Director of Postgraduate Research. Between 2003 and 2005, he served as Deputy Director of the School. He has been an external examiner at the University Leicester, University of Liverpool, Royal Holloway University of London and London School of Economics. He is married with three daughters.
Anrhydeddau a Dyfarniadau
Aelodaethau proffesiynol
Ralph Fevre has served on the ESRC College and is a regular referee for ESRC research proposals. He has been a consultant to the ESRC and is Associate Research Fellow in the ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance.
Ralph has had two spells, one as review editor, on the journal Work, Employment and Society. In 2002 he became Founding Editor of the Politics and Society in Wales Series published by the University of Wales Press.
Ralph has written a Guardian feature article on Mothers$acirc; Day and a piece on $acirc; Lucia Di Lammermoor$acirc; in the Royal Opera House programme notes.
Ralph regularly contributes articles on sociological theory to the magazine for A level students: Sociology Review.
Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol
Ralph Fevre has a B.A. in Sociology and Economics from the University of Durham and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Aberdeen. Ralph came to Cardiff in 1995 after holding teaching and research posts in the University of Wales since 1982. He has served a number of terms as Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Teaching and Learning and Director of Postgraduate Research. Between 2003 and 2005, he served as Deputy Director of the School. He has been an external examiner at the University Leicester, University of Liverpool, Royal Holloway University of London and London School of Economics. He is married with three daughters.Ymrwymiadau siarad cyhoeddus
Cyhoeddiadau
2022
- Chaney, P., Jones, I. R. and Fevre, R. 2022. Exploring the substantive representation of non-humans in UK parliamentary business: a legislative functions perspective of animal welfare petitions, 2010-19. Parliamentary Affairs 75(4), pp. 813-842., article number: gsab036. (10.1093/pa/gsab036)
- Chaney, P., Rees Jones, I. and Fevre, R. 2022. Sentience and salience – exploring the party politicization of animal welfare in multi-level electoral systems: Analysis of manifesto discourse in UK meso elections 1998–2017. Regional and Federal Studies 32(1), pp. 115-140. (10.1080/13597566.2020.1853105)
2020
- Fevre, R., Guimarães, I. and Zhao, W. 2020. Parents, individualism and education: three paradigms and four countries. Review of Education 8(3), pp. 693-726. (10.1002/rev3.3204)
- Fevre, R., Guimarães, I. and Zhao, W. 2020. Context and implications document for: Parents, individualism and education: three paradigms and four countries. Review of Education 8(3), pp. 727-732. (10.1002/rev3.3203)
2019
- 2019. New perspectives on welfare and governance in contemporary China. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/node/15362
2017
- Fevre, R. 2017. Why work is so problematic for people with disabilities and long-term health problems. Occupational Medicine 67(8), pp. 593-595. (10.1093/occmed/kqx072)
2016
- Fevre, R. W., Foster, D. J., Jones, M. and Wass, V. J. 2016. Closing disability gaps at work: deficits in evidence and variations in experience. Project Report. Cardiff University.
- Fevre, R. 2016. Individualism and inequality: the future of work and politics. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. (10.4337/9781784716516)
2014
- Bowring, F. and Fevre, R. 2014. European sociologies and social theories of work. In: Koniordos, S. and Kyrtsis, A. eds. The Routledge Handbook of European Sociology. Routledge International Handbooks London: Routledge, pp. 143-157.
2013
- Fevre, R. W., Robinson, A. L., Lewis, D. and Jones, T. D. B. 2013. The ill-treatment of employees with disabilities in British workplaces. Work, Employment and Society 27(2), pp. 288-307. (10.1177/0950017012460311)
2012
- Fevre, R. W. 2012. Social mobility, equity and the politics of recruitment. Sociology Compass 6(9), pp. 740-750. (10.1111/j.1751-9020.2012.00489.x)
- Fevre, R. W., Lewis, D., Robinson, A. L. and Jones, T. D. B. 2012. Trouble at work. London: Bloomsbury Academic. (10.5040/9781849664677)
2011
- Fevre, R. W., Grainger, H. and Brewer, R. 2011. Discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace. British Journal of Industrial Relations 49(s2), pp. s207-s235. (10.1111/j.1467-8543.2010.00798.x)
- Fevre, R. W. 2011. Still on the scrapheap?: The meaning and characteristics of unemployment in prosperous welfare states. Work, Employment and Society 25(1), pp. 1-9. (10.1177/0950017011399011)
- Jones, T. D. B., Robinson, A. L., Fevre, R. W. and Lewis, D. 2011. Workplace assaults in Britain: Understanding the influence of individual and workplace characteristics. British Journal of Criminology 51(1), pp. 159-178. (10.1093/bjc/azq064)
2010
- Fevre, R., Robinson, A. L., Jones, T. D. B. and Lewis, D. 2010. Researching workplace bullying: the benefits of taking an integrated approach. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 13(1), pp. 71-85. (10.1080/13645570802648671)
- Fevre, R. W. and Bancroft, A. 2010. Dead white men and other important people: sociology’s big ideas. London: Palgrave.
2009
- Fevre, R. W., Nichols, T., Prior, G. and Rutherford, I. 2009. Fair treatment at work report: findings from the 2008 survey. Project Report. [Online]. London: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Available at: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file52809.pdf
- Jones, T. D. B., Robinson, A. L., Fevre, R. W. and Lewis, D. 2009. Assaults and violence in the workplace. Presented at: British Society of Criminology annual meeting, Cardiff, UK, 29 June - 1 July 2009.
2008
- Fevre, R. W., Robinson, A. L., Jones, T. D. B. and Lewis, D. 2008. Work fit for all – disability, health and the experience of negative treatment in the British workplace. Project Report. [Online]. London: Equality and Human Rights Commission. Available at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/work_fit_for_all_-_final.pdf
2007
- Fevre, R. W. 2007. Employment insecurity and social theory: the power of nightmares. Work, Employment and Society 21(3), pp. 517-535. (10.1177/0950017007080013)
- Fevre, R. W. 2007. Employment insecurity and social theory: the power of nightmares. Work, Employment and Society 21(3), pp. 517-535. (10.1177/0950017007080013)
2003
- Fevre, R. W. 2003. The new sociology of economic behaviour. BSA New Horizons in Sociology. London: Sage.
2002
- Chaney, P. and Fevre, R. W. 2002. Is there a demand for descriptive representation? Evidence from the UK's devolution programme. Political Studies 50(5), pp. 897-915. (10.1111/1467-9248.00399)
2001
- Chaney, P. and Fevre, R. W. 2001. Inclusive governance and "minority" groups: the role of the third sector in Wales. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations 12(2), pp. 131-156. (10.1023/A:1011286602556)
- Fevre, R. W. and Chaney, P. 2001. Welsh nationalism and the challenge of "inclusive" politics. In: Coy, P. G. ed. Political Opportunities, Social Movements, and Democratization. Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change Vol. 23. Greenwich: Jai Press, pp. 227-254.
2000
- Fevre, R. and Chaney, P. 2000. Devolution and participation in Wales: Ron Davies and the cultivation of inclusiveness. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Chaney, P. and Fevre, R. 2000. Welsh nationalism and the challenge of 'inclusive' politics. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/research/publications/workingpapers/paper-2.html
- Chaney, P. and Fevre, R. 2000. Welsh nationalism and the challenge of ‘inclusive’ politics. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
Addysgu
His current teaching includes a first-year module on key ideas in social science; a second year module on inequality and the division of labour and a third year module on new frontiers in sociological theory.
Since coming to Cardiff, Ralph has supervised twelve PhD students through to successful completion of their doctorates. The great majority of these former students now hold prestigious posts in UK and international universities. Current students include Joanne Blake, Claire Crawford, Manasi Dutt, Eleanor Johnson and Hannah O$acirc; Mahoney.
Applications from prospective PhD students in any of the following areas are encouraged: systems of knowledge and belief in popular culture, particularly those with moral significance; critiques of markets and economic rationality; the sociology of economic behaviour and particularly the sociology of labour markets; the sociology of work and particularly ill-treatment in the workplace; civil society, social movements and new social priorities.
Current Project
Insight into Ill Treatment in the British Workplace
Planning for this long-term research project on the British workplace began in 2006 and led to an ESRC award in the following year. The spine of the project consists of two representative surveys of British employees, the British Workplace Behaviour Survey (BWBS), which is the largest representative study of workplace ill-treatment so far conducted anywhere in the world, and, in the following year, the Fair Treatment at Work Survey (FTWS), which allowed the repetition of some questions asked in the BWBS.
Four qualitative case studies complete the dataset. These were effectively four separate research programmes undertaken in well-known British companies. The case studies helped us to pin-point the major causes of the ill-treatment of employees and the actions that organisations could take to bring about better treatment.
For more information on the project please visit the dedicated web pages by clicking here.
Books
Trouble at Work
Whether it is bullying, harassment or stress – is always in the headlines. Yet, in many discussions, the research and statistics that are cited prove unreliable. This book summarises the largest specialist research programme on ill-treatment in the workplace so far undertaken. It provides a powerful antidote to half-truths and misinformation and offers a new way of conceptualizing trouble at work, moving the discussion away from individualized explanations – and talk of 'bullies' and 'victims' – towards the workplace characteristics that cause trouble at work. The biggest problems arise where organisations fail to create a workplace culture in which individuals really matter. Paradoxically, these are often the organisations which are well-versed in modern management practices. Even though they may try their best to avoid the most troubled workplaces, minority employees continue to suffer more ill-treatment than others.
Authored by Ralph Fevre, Duncan Lewis, Amanda Robinson and Trevor Jones and published by Bloomsbury in June 2012.
Dead White Men and Other Important People: Sociology's Big Ideas
"Even if sociology had some big ideas, Mila knew that she would have a fundamental problem in recognising them because she was so lacking in confidence about her intellectual abilities and motivation… She would find out whether something really was a big idea by explaining it to other people. If they were suitably impressed or, at least, were not able to undermine her faith in the idea, then that would make it big enough and important enough to count."
Authored by Ralph Fevre and Angus Bancroft and published in March 2010 by Palgrave this is a textbook with a twist. Written as a novel, it follows the story of Mila, a new sociology student who is grappling with social theory for the first time. Making it her mission to find out what makes sociology so important, Mila tries out theoretical ideas by chatting with her new university friends and family back at home. As she begins to understand how social theory can be applied to everyday experiences, she starts to look at the world around her in a new light.
Thinkers: Blumer * Bourdieu * Butler * Chomsky * Cicourel * Comte * Collins * Connell * Cooley * Engels * Durkheim * Garfinkel * Goffman * Fanon * Foucault * Hall * Marx * Mead * Parsons * Peirce * Schutz * Simmel * Weber
Themes: body * capitalism * colonialism * division of labour * emotions * the Enlightenment * ethnomethodology * feminism * feudalism * functionalism * gender * industrialism * inequality * liberalism * love * modernity * morality * nationality * popular culture * post-colonialism * power * science and knowledge * social bonds * class * social constructionism * society * state * symbolic interactionism *
The New Sociology of Economic Behaviour
The New Sociology of Economic Behaviour (Sage, 2003) argues that the sociology of economic behaviour was hijacked by the economic sociology which grew out of Parsons' interpretation of Weber and seeks to revitalize the classical approach to develop critiques of current economic arrangements.
The Demoralization of Western Culture
The Demoralization of Western Culture (Continuum, 2000) argues that contemporary confusion and uncertainty about morality arises from the popularity of a particular sort of reasoning, a sub-category of rationality called 'common sense' which came to dominate our thinking during the twentieth century.
Earlier Books
Earlier books include: Wales is Closed (1989), The Sociology of Labour Markets (1992) and (edited with Andrew Thompson) Nation, Identity and Social Theory (1999).