The Science of Racism

Shortlisted for the 2026 Unwin Award Longlisted for the 2026 Jhalak Prize Polls show that over fifty per cent of us don’t believe racism exists. In a world made for White people, The Science of Racism uses clear scientific research to expose what we know about racism, exactly how we know it, and what we can do about it. ‘Charismatic and funny’ - The Guardian 'Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving' - Sathnam Sanghera 'Short circuits the brain' - The Independent * British police are nine times more likely to use their tasers on Black people. * An item being advertised on eBay will sell for approximately twenty per cent less if a dark-skinned hand is shown in the photos. * Black Caribbean applicants have to apply for around fifty per cent more jobs in order to receive a positive response. Professor Keon West cuts through the divisive anecdotes and rhetoric with decades’ worth of science – the data that reveals truths about racism that are shocking and tragic, but also (somehow) funny and entertaining. Whatever you’ve read before, this book will ensure that you never see racism in the same way again.

Shortlisted for the 2026 Unwin Award Longlisted for the 2026 Jhalak Prize Polls show that over fifty per cent of us don’t believe racism exists. In a world made for White people, The Science of Racism uses clear scientific research to expose what we know about racism, exactly how we know it, and what we can do about it. ‘Charismatic and funny’ - The Guardian 'Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving' - Sathnam Sanghera 'Short circuits the brain' - The Independent * British police are nine times more likely to use their tasers on Black people. * An item being advertised on eBay will sell for approximately twenty per cent less if a dark-skinned hand is shown in the photos. * Black Caribbean applicants have to apply for around fifty per cent more jobs in order to receive a positive response. Professor Keon West cuts through the divisive anecdotes and rhetoric with decades’ worth of science – the data that reveals truths about racism that are shocking and tragic, but also (somehow) funny and entertaining. Whatever you’ve read before, this book will ensure that you never see racism in the same way again.

Polls show that half of us think racism doesn’t exist . . . 'Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving . . . and, sadly, utterly necessary' - Sathnam Sanghera, bestselling author of Empireland In the ground-breaking The Science of Racism Professor Keon West cuts through the divisive anecdotes and rhetoric with decades’ worth of clear, factual, rigorous science – the data that reveals truths about racism that are shocking and tragic, but also (somehow) funny and entertaining. He explains how we know, for example, that Black people are up to 50 per cent less likely to be called in to interview than identically qualified White people. He shows how we know the financial cost of selling items online while Black. He reveals the effects of racism on our friendships, relationships, healthcare and justice system. And he exposes the continued prevalence of racism, and the inadequacy of our many attempts to address it. Whatever you’ve read before, this book will ensure that you never see racism in the same way again.

Polls show that half of us think racism doesn’t exist . . . 'Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving . . . and, sadly, utterly necessary' - Sathnam Sanghera, bestselling author of Empireland In the ground-breaking The Science of Racism Professor Keon West cuts through the divisive anecdotes and rhetoric with decades’ worth of clear, factual, rigorous science – the data that reveals truths about racism that are shocking and tragic, but also (somehow) funny and entertaining. He explains how we know, for example, that Black people are up to 50 per cent less likely to be called in to interview than identically qualified White people. He shows how we know the financial cost of selling items online while Black. He reveals the effects of racism on our friendships, relationships, healthcare and justice system. And he exposes the continued prevalence of racism, and the inadequacy of our many attempts to address it. Whatever you’ve read before, this book will ensure that you never see racism in the same way again.