Peter Robert Saunders (born 1950) is a British sociologist. He was born in Croydon and educated at Selhurst Grammar School for Boys. He gained a BA in Sociology from the University of Kent, and a PhD from Chelsea College, while also acting as a Research Officer at the University of Essex. In 1976 he joined the

University of Sussex , mottoeng = Be Still and Know , established = , type = Public research university , endowment = £14.4 million (2020) , budget = £319.6 million (2019–20) , chancellor = Sanjeev Bhaskar , vice_chancellor = Sasha Roseneil , ...

, becoming Professor of Sociology in 1988. He was Research Manager at the

Australian Institute of Family Studies The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) is an Australian Government statutory agency in the Department of Social Services. It is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its role is to conduct research and communicate findings that affe ...

from 1999 to 2000, and then Social Research Director at the

Centre for Independent Studies The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian libertarian think tank founded in 1976 which specialises in public policy research. It is based in Sydney and focuses on classical liberal issues such as free markets and limited gover ...

, a libertarian think tank, from 2001 to 2008. In 2008 he returned to the UK where he is now working as an independent social research consultant and fiction writer.

Selected publications

* ''The Rise of the Equalities Industry'' (2011, ). * ''When Prophecy Fails'' (2011, ) * ''Beware False Prophets'' (2010, ) * ''Social Mobility Myths'' (2010, ) * ''The Versailles Memorandum'' (2009, ) * ''Taxploitation: The Case for Income Tax Reform'' (edited 2006, ). * ''Australia's Welfare Habit: And how to kick it'' (2004, ). * ''A Self-Reliant Australia'' (2003, ). * ''Poverty in Australia: Beyond the Rhetoric'' (2002, ). * ''Social Foundations of a Free Society'' (2001, ). * ''Unequal But Fair'' (1996, ). * ''Capitalism: A Social Audit'' (1995, ). * ''Privatization and Popular Capitalism'' (with Colin Harris, 1994, ). * ''A Nation of Home Owners'' (1990 ). * ''Social Class and Stratification'' (1990, ). * ''Social Theory and the Urban Question'' (1981/1986, ). * ''Urban Politics: A Sociological Interpretation'' (1979, ).

External links

Peter Saunders personal website
lists all publications & contact details.

provides readers' feedback on his political thriller.
Profile
at the Centre for Independent Studies Web site.
Saunders's articles
at On Line Opinion Web site. English sociologists English emigrants to Australia Socio-economic mobility Living people 1950 births {{England-academic-bio-stub