Sam Holden

Sam Holden is a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester School of Art, where he teaches architecture across all academic levels and serves as BA3 year lead. His work bridges architectural practice with urban geography, diverse economy, and historical materialism, focusing on socio-political dimensions of urban development and construction practices.

Education:

• PhD: 'Land, Materials, and Construction Site: Decommodification Through Alternative Construction' (University of Manchester, 2022)

Research Interests:

• Non-Monetary Construction: Analyzing diverse economies in formal and informal construction modes, including resource-sharing and community-driven building.
• Architectural Methodologies: Developing participatory action research frameworks through architectural practice and design.
• Defining an Urban Left: Critically evaluating left-wing political movements in architecture, with emphasis on municipal socialism and historical urban activism.
• Additional focus areas include social architecture tensions, age-friendly neighborhood co-production, and legacy analysis of community-led cultural projects.

Scientific Awards:

• University of Manchester School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) Studentship Award

Research Funding:

• 2017: University of Manchester SEED Studentship (doctoral research)
• 2018: SEED Fieldwork Funding
• 2019: AESOP 2019 Planning for Transition conference funding

Holden actively collaborates through the Design for Life Agency and has no documented PhD/Master's advisees. His research emphasizes collaborative neighborhood design with stakeholders in housing, health, and urban policy contexts.