I edit infed.org – the encyclopaedia of pedagogy and informal education. In addition, I am part of a team developing a community-led affordable rental housing initiative close to where I live in Orkney (Hope Cohousing) and a trustee of the Cromarty Hall Trust. Formerly the Rank Research Fellow and Tutor at the YMCA George Williams College, London, I was also a visiting professor in community education at the University of Strathclyde.
Among my books are Creators not Consumers (1980, 1982), Developing Youth Work (1988), Local Education (1994), Informal Education (1996, 1999, 2005 with Tony Jeffs), The Art of Helping Others (2008, with Heather Smith), Youth Work Practice (2010, edited with Tony Jeffs), Journeying Together (2011, edited with Alan Rogers) and Youth Work and Faith (2015, edited with Naomi Stanton and Tom Wylie). Between 2014 and 2020 I developed and edited six 20-credit degree modules for the YMCA George Williams College/Coventry University’s Children, young people, and families – BA Hons programme. Currently, I am working on a new book with Tony Jeffs that explores the need to re-imagine education.
Educated at the Cavendish School, Hemel Hempstead and Lancaster University, I undertook my doctorate at Goldsmiths, University of London. I have worked in career advice, youth and community work, education projects, and higher education.
Other activities have included chairing the Two Towers tenants’ cooperative in Bermondsey (which managed the tower blocks pictured above) and the Community and Youth Worker’s Union (now part of Unite). I have also served on the editorial board of Youth and Policy and been a Resident Friend at Westminster Quaker Meeting House.
Opening photograph by Richard Hills