Based on a wealth of survey and qualitative data, brought together in a book called Stay home (Policy Press, 2023), this seminar explores the role that housing played in Covid infections and deaths, Covid inequalities and experiences of the pandemic in the UK.

A large minority of all infections in the UK occurred at home, perhaps resulting in 38-58,000 of the total deaths. However, Covid risk at home wasn't researched, advised on, legislated about, policed or managed as much as risk at work, school, or in public places. Staying at home transferred responsibility for risk management to households, many ill-equipped for the task, and shielding and isolating were only partially effective. In addition, the pandemic altered the ways homes were used, and changed the meaning of home for many, for better and also for worse – home not sweet but a place of harm. It has drawn attention to homes not only as places to work and rest, but also as places to be ill and to convalesce – and to reproduce health inequalities. 

Becky Tunstall is Prof Emerita of Housing at the University of York. She was a lecturer in housing and director of the MSc/Dip Housing at LSE before going on to direct the Centre for Housing Policy at York. She has written about social housing, regeneration, mixed neighbourhoods, housing inequalities and housing and poverty, recently including The fall and rise of social housing: 100 years on 20 estates (Policy Press, 2020), and Stay home. 

ALL WELCOME.

For any access requirements please email havi.carel@bristol.ac.uk

Talk will be followed by a reception and book signing. Light refreshments and wine will be served.

Please RSVP to havi.carel@bristol.ac.uk by 30th March for catering purposes.