Coming Soon: New edited collection on Alternative Provision titled:

Young People, Social Justice and Alternative Provision: Critical perspectives, contemporary practices and possible futures

This international volume brings together scholars and practitioners from a range of fields, such as education, youth studies, disability studies, sociology, criminology, psychology as well as professionals working within the sector to critically explore the intersection of social justice and Alternative Provision (AP). AP encompass a diverse range of educational settings, which are designed for children and young people outside of mainstream schooling. While APs can effectively support vulnerable and/or marginalised youth they can also, inadvertently, support systems that reproduce inequality through pathologizing discourses, deficit-based educational models, and exclusionary practices. It is important to discuss and debate all of these perspective and practices.

By centring social justice, this collection seeks to explore, critique and reimagine the role of AP. It will amplify and critically examine examples of effective and innovative practice within the field, highlighting how such approaches can play a transformative role in re-engaging children and young people who have experienced educational exclusion(s). At the same time, it will offer a critical lens on the broader social and structural inequalities that have contributed to the growing demand for AP, questioning the systemic conditions that render such provision necessary. In doing so, the collection seeks to illuminate existing and possible socially just practice in AP whilst also reimagining what is needed beyond it to achieve greater educational equity.

We were interested in theoretical, empirical as well as more practice-based or orientated contributions that explore, but are not limited to:

1.    Theoretical Foundations and Critical Frameworks

2.    Methodologies, Voices and Research Approaches

3.    Practice, Policy and Pedagogical Innovations

Part I: Theoretical Foundations and Critical Frameworks

Contributions can explore key theories that frame the understanding of AP, focusing on social justice, inequality, international comparisons, and historical trajectories.

·       Conceptualising Social Justice in Alternative Provision

·       Intersecting Inequalities and Structural Exclusion

·       Theorising Outcomes and Effectiveness

Part II: Methodologies, Voices and Research Approaches

This section aims to focus on methodological considerations, youth participation and practitioner perspectives, highlighting how research itself can reinforce or challenge dominant narratives.

·       Socially Just Methodologies for Researching AP

·       Youth Voice, Agency, and Educational Experience

·       Practitioner Perspectives: Workforce composition and realities

Part III: Practice, Policy and Pedagogical Innovations

This section connects theory and research with policy approaches and on-the-ground practices, focusing on curriculum, pedagogy, system-reform,, and collaboration across sectors.

·       7. Curriculum and Pedagogy in Practice

·       8. Policy Contexts and Governance

·       9. Multi-Agency Collaboration and Community Engagement

We welcome theoretical, research-based and practice-informed chapters that offer new and critical insights into the social, cultural, and political dimensions of AP – in all of its diverse forms. What will unite contributions is a clear articulation of, and critical engagement with, the social justice issues present in the analysis.

Chapter Guidelines

• Full-length chapters: Up to 6,000 words. These should present empirical research or theoretical analysis.

• Practice-focused chapters: Up to 3,000 words. These should go beyond descriptive accounts of practice; address a particular issue or critically evaluate the relationship between practice and socially just educational outcomes and experiences for children and young people.

Key Dates

• Deadline for abstracts CLOSED

• Notification of acceptance: CLOSED

Full chapter to be submitted by July 1st, 2026

Any questions and abstracts can be submitted via email to: c.johnston@uwe.ac.uk

Editors:
Dr Craig Johnston (UWE Bristol);
Dr Jodie Pennacchia (University of Birmingham)                                                       Dr Andrew Malcolm (Independent Researcher)
Cath Kitchen OBE (Independent Researcher)                                           .