Dr Amber Fensham-Smith

Profile

Amber is a lecturer in childhood and youth studies at the Open University and co-convenor of the BERA Alternative Education special interest group. A sociologist by training, her research seeks to give voice to marginalised and excluded children and young people in education. She has a keen pedagogical interest in the ways in which families are creating new spaces to envisage or enact education differently. Previous projects have included Gypsy and Traveller education, Photovoice to promote children’s participation in research, youth activism and more recently supporting stakeholder engagement in young people's experiences of alternative provision during the pandemic.

Research

Publications

Journal articles:

• Fensham-Smith (2021) Invisible pedagogies in home education: freedom power and control, Journal of Pedagogy (open access) 
• Fensham-Smith (2019) Becoming a home educator in a networked world, Other Education

Parliamentary engagement

• Fensham-Smith (2021) 'Partnership building and representing the voices of EHE children and young people in policy-making', Education Select Committee: Home Education Inquiry 2021. A recording of the accompanying oral evidence is provided here:

Chapter in edited book:

• Fensham-Smith (2021) ‘Alternative Education: The rise in elective home education: issues related to recognition, collaboration and successful partnerships’ in Bringing the Curriculum to Life (p.42-63), OU Press McGraw Hill. 

Blogs:

• Fensham-Smith (2021) Elective Home Education in a post-pandemic world, International Public

Policy Observatory 

• Fensham-Smith (2020) Should we really call this home schooling? BERA blog: 
• Fensham-Smith (2020) Towards co-operative working in alternative education, Freedom to Learn UK

Podcasts:

• Merrett (2020) & Fensham-Smith (host) The impact of exam cancellation among EHE families, BERA Covid 19 podcast 

Research reports

• Fensham-Smith (2014) Gypsy and Traveller Education: Engaging Families- Welsh Government 

Expertise