Evaluating the Fundamental British Values initiative of the DfE

This project will explore the consequences of the Department for Education’s Fundamental British Values (FBV) initiative.

Why this project is important

In 2014, the Department for Education launched an initiative instructing all schools to promote “Fundamental British Values”. These comprise: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The policy aimed to promote a shared “Britishness” and prevent violent extremism. However, some questioned its effectiveness and feared its potential to alienate minorities.

What will it involve?

Despite the controversial nature of the policy there has been little academic research on its efficacy. The research team will conduct a quantitative review of the large-scale, long-term, intended, and unintended consequences of the FBV initiative. Four research questions will be addressed:

1. Does FBV affect the values of individuals educated under the policy, identification as British, and awareness for the risks of violent extremism, if so, how?
2. Does promoting the targeted fundamental values cause an increased sense of Britishness and awareness of the risks for violent extremism?
3. Do the effects vary between members of different ethnic, religious, or age groups?
4. Does FBV have any unintended, possibly counterproductive consequences, such as increasing ethnic segregation or perceived discrimination?

Natural and online experiments will be conducted as part of a multi-method approach. Data from Understanding Society will be supplemented by exploration of the Integrated Values Surveys for quantitative analysis. Online FBV training will be used to identify the impact on national identification and support for relevant values. Other experiments will help determine whether endorsement of FBV helps constitute a sense of Britishness and awareness of risks for violent extremism.

How it will make a difference

Findings will be relevant to policy makers and practitioners responsible for FBV and Prevent. More broadly, the research will contribute to our understanding of the formation and malleability of young people’s values, which could be applicable to other policies. Workshops will be organized to discuss the findings and provide policy recommendations.