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Special Interest Group

Youth Studies and Informal Education

The special interest of the SIG is in research and scholarship relating to theory, policy and practice issues in Youth Studies and Youth and Community Work.  These include: youth transitions and geographies; youth culture and debates about Youth Voice; Youth Justice; Youth Work as a practice ‘beyond school’ in Community and Neighbourhood contexts. The Special Interest Group aims to provide a forum for academics, practitioners and students with interest in research and scholarship in youth studies and Informal Education to engage in dialogue and debate and to contribute to knowledge transfer / exchange through publications, conferences and seminars. It further aims to strengthen discussion and make connections between BERA members, TAG (the Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work) and the BSA Youth Studies network as well as the secondary and post-compulsory education and informal education in adolescence and adult life sector.

SIG Convenors

Profile picture of Frances Howard
Frances Howard, Ms

Senior Lecturer - Youth Studies at Nottingham Trent University

Dr Frances Howard is Course Leader for BA (hons) Youth Studies at Nottingham Trent University. She has previously worked in local authorities, arts education and youth work and continues to conduct research on young people, youth work, the arts...

Profile picture of Ian McGimpsey
Ian McGimpsey, Dr

Associate Professor of Education at University of Birmingham

Ian McGimpsey is Associate Professor of Education in the Department of Education and Social Justice at the University of Birmingham. His work is concerned with inequality and social justice, and has a conceptual focus on assemblage and the...

Profile picture of Mike Seal
Mike Seal, Professor

Professor in youth and community education at St. Marys University

Mike is the national officer of the Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work and a visiting professor at Leeds Beckett and Newman University Birmingham. He was previously Professor of Education and Social Mobility at the...

Content associated with this SIG

BERA Conference 2023

12 September 2023 to 14 September 2023Aston University/ Conference Aston

Welcome to the BERA Annual Conference 2023 The programme is now live online. We have a fantastic array of presentations! The mobile app will soon be launched, which will allow you to favourite...

Upcoming conference12 Sep 2023

‘Learning for All’

BERA is funding six new small grants in 2022/23 under the title “Learning for all”. These grants support projects which examine educational provision in its widest sense that seeks to provide...

Ongoing project