Dr Samantha Shave BA MSc PhD FRHistS FHEA is a historian with expertise in British welfare policies from the eighteenth century to the present day. In particular, Samantha researches the poor laws and workhouses that incarcerated, punished and deterred those in need of support.

Samantha is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a Research Associate of the University of Strathclyde, and an Honorary Senior Fellow of the University of Lincoln. She previously held academic posts at the universities of Sussex, Cambridge, Bournemouth, and Southampton. Her first book Pauper Policies was released in 2017 (paperback available in 2018), and she has contributed chapters to edited books, and academic journal papers. You can read more about her published work here.

Samantha’s work has appeared in a print media, including the BBC’s History Magazine, and broadcast media too. She talked to Melvyn Bragg about the poor laws on BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time?, and to Helen Castor about parish charities on BBC Radio 4’s Making History. Samantha’s next talk can be found on her events page.

Always happy to share her knowledge and ideas, Samantha has acted as a consultant and contributor to a range of popular TV documentaries and series (BBC and ITV), about family, social and local history, and welfare history. Samantha has been consulted by producers, researchers, and writers of all types, and most recently enjoyed supporting an acclaimed children’s fiction author. Samantha has gained recognition for her teaching with Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.