Staff profile

• Critique of educational research
• The importance of Not Knowing
• The moral psychology of self-belief
• Virtue epistemology

• 2013: Chair: Philosophy of Education Society of GB (elected)
• 2013: Output Assessor: Research Excellence Framework (REF) Panel 25 (Education)
• 2013: Commissioned by Routledge publishers: To produce Major Themes in Education: Philosophy of Education II (5-vol anthology covering 1998-2013), to be published in 2014

Authored book

• Understanding Education and Educational Research.
  Smeyers, P., & Smith, R. (2014). Understanding Education and Educational Research. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511920714
• Education in An Age of Nihilism
  Smith, R., Blake, N., Smeyers, P., & Standish, P. (2000). Education in An Age of Nihilism. RoutledgeFalmer
• Thinking Again: Education After Postmodernism
  Smith, R., Blake, N., Smeyers, P., & Standish, P. (1998). Thinking Again: Education After Postmodernism. Bergin & Garvey
• The Universities We Need: Higher Education after Dearing
  Smith, R., Blake, N., & Standish, P. (1998). The Universities We Need: Higher Education after Dearing. Kogan Page

Chapter in book

• Work for the enquiring spirit
  Smith, R. (2019). Work for the enquiring spirit. In M. Papastephanou (Ed.), Philosophically curious about curiosity (128-149). Cambridge Scholars
• Seeing the Points of Connection
  Smith, P., & Standish, P. (2018). Seeing the Points of Connection. In S. Ramaekers, & N. Hodgson (Eds.), Past, present, and future possibilities for philosophy and history of education : finding space and time for research (33-46). Festschrift for Paul Smeyers
• Wittgenstein, Science and the Social Sciences
  Smith, R. (2018). Wittgenstein, Science and the Social Sciences. In P. Smeyers (Ed.), International handbook of philosophy of education (443-455). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72761-5_37
• The furnace of instrumental reason
  Smith, R. (2018). The furnace of instrumental reason. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Educational research : ethics, social justice, and funding dynamics (209-222). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73921-2_14
• Slow learning and the multiplicity of meaning
  Smith, R. (2017). Slow learning and the multiplicity of meaning. In M. Peters, & J. Stickney (Eds.), A companion to Wittgenstein on education : pedagogical investigations (101-113). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3136-6_6
• An epistemic monoculture and the university of reasons.
  Smith, R. (2014). An epistemic monoculture and the university of reasons. In D. Lewin, A. Guilherme, & M. White (Eds.), New Perspectives in the Philosophy of Education: Ethics, Politics and Religion. Bloomsbury
• Mud and hair: an essay on the conditions of educational research
  Smith, R. (2014). Mud and hair: an essay on the conditions of educational research. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Educational research : material culture and its representation (133-144). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03083-8_9
• Re-reading Plato: the slow cure for knowledge
  Smith, R. (2014). Re-reading Plato: the slow cure for knowledge. In M. Papastephanou, T. Strand, & A. Pirrie (Eds.), Philosophy as a lived experience : navigating through dichotomies of thought and action (23-37). Lit
• Citizenship, therapy and the politics of irony.
  Smith, R. (2014). Citizenship, therapy and the politics of irony. In J. Baldacchino, S. Galea, & D. Mercieca (Eds.), My Teaching, My Philosophy. Kenneth Wain: A Lifelong Engagement with Education (303-316). Peter Lang
• Philosophy in its place.
  Smith, R. (2014). Philosophy in its place. In L. Waks (Ed.), Leaders in Philosophy of Education (245-254). (2nd series). Rotterdam: Sense
• Educational research and the light of science.
  Smith, R. (2014). Educational research and the light of science. In A. Reid, & et al. (Eds.), A Companion to Research in Education (155-158). Springer: Dordrecht
• The philosopher and the writer
  Smith, R. (2013). The philosopher and the writer. In J. Gingell (Ed.), Education and the common good : essays in honor of Robin Barrow (1-12). Routledge
• Interpretation: The Space of Text
  Smith, R. (2013). Interpretation: The Space of Text. In P. Smeyers, M. Depaepe, & E. Keiner (Eds.), Educational research : the importance and effects of institutional spaces (115-126). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6247-3_8
• The Theology of Education to Come
  Smith, R. (2013). The Theology of Education to Come. In Educational Research: The Attraction of Psychology (147-157). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5038-8_10
• University Futures
  Smith, R. (2013). University Futures. In R. Smith (Ed.), Education Policy: Philosophical Critique (147-160). Wiley
• The play of Socratic dialogue.
  Smith, R. (2012). The play of Socratic dialogue. In N. Vansieleghem, & D. Kennedy (Eds.), Philosophy for Children in Transition (52-65). Wiley
• A bubble for the spirit level: metricophilia, rhetoric and philosophy.
  Smith, R. (2011). A bubble for the spirit level: metricophilia, rhetoric and philosophy. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Educational Research: the ethics and aesthetics of statistics (189-204). Springer Verlag
• Writing the philosophy of education.
  Smith, R. (2010). Writing the philosophy of education. In R. Bailey (Ed.), The Philosophy of Education: an introduction (158-166). Continuum
• Poststructuralism, postmodernism and education.
  Smith, R. (2010). Poststructuralism, postmodernism and education. In R. Bailey, & et al. (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Philosophy of Education (139-150). SAGE Publications
• Authenticity and higher education: the Nietzschean university in the twenty-first century.
  Smith, R. (2009). Authenticity and higher education: the Nietzschean university in the twenty-first century. In T. E. Hart (Ed.), Nietzsche, Culture and Education (1-11). Ashgate Publishing
• Half a language: listening in the city of words.
  Smith, R. (2009). Half a language: listening in the city of words. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Proofs, Arguments and other Reasonings. Springer Verlag
• Half a language: listening in the city of words.
  Smith, R. (2009). Half a language: listening in the city of words. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Educational Research: Proofs, Arguments and Other Reasoning (149-160). Springer Verlag
• The Padagogisierung of Philosophy.
  Smith, R. (2008). The Padagogisierung of Philosophy. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Educational Research: The Educationalisation of Social Problems (205-215). Springer Verlag
• Penelope's work: only disconnect.
  Smith, R. (2007). Penelope's work: only disconnect. In P. Smeyers, & M. Depaepe (Eds.), Educational Research: Networks and Technologies (163-175). Springer Verlag
• Paths of judgement: the revival of practical wisdom.
  Smith, R. (2005). Paths of judgement: the revival of practical wisdom. In W. Carr (Ed.), The RoutledgeFalmer Reader in Philosophy of Education. (Reprint). RoutledgeFalmer
• Research and revelation: what really works?
  Smith, R. (2003). Research and revelation: what really works?. In M. Depaepe, & P. Smeyers (Eds.), Beyond Empiricism: On Criteria for Educational Research (129-140). Leuven University Press
• Another space
  Smith, R. (2000). Another space. In P. Dhillon, & P. Standish (Eds.), Lyotard: Just Education (125-139). Routledge
• The education of autonomous citizens
  Smith, R. (1998). The education of autonomous citizens. In D. Bridges (Ed.), Education, Autonomy and Democratic Citizenship (127-137). Routledge

Edited book

• Philosophy and Community: Theories, Practices and Possibilities
  Fulford, A., Lockrobin, G., & Smith, R. (Eds.). (2020). Philosophy and Community: Theories, Practices and Possibilities. Bloomsbury Academic
• Philosophy and Community: Theories, Practices and Possibilities
  Fulford, A., Lockrobin, G., & Smith, R. (Eds.). (2020). Philosophy and Community: Theories, Practices and Possibilities. Bloomsbury
• Philosophy as Interplay and Dialogue
  Torill, S., Smith, R., Pirrie, A., Gregoriou, Z., & Papastephanou, M. (Eds.). (2017). Philosophy as Interplay and Dialogue. . Münster, Vienna and Zurich: LIT Verlag
• Education Policy: Philosophical Critique
  Smith, R. (Ed.). (2013). Education Policy: Philosophical Critique. Wiley
• Evidence-based Educational Policy: What Evidence? What Basis? Whose Policy?
  Smith, R., Bridges, D., & Smeyers, P. (. (Eds.). (2009). Evidence-based Educational Policy: What Evidence? What Basis? Whose Policy?. Blackwell
• Philosophy, Methodology and Educational Research.
  Smith, R., & Bridges, D. (Eds.). (2007). Philosophy, Methodology and Educational Research. Blackwell
• Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Education
  Smith, R., Blake, N., Smeyers, P., & Standish, P. (Eds.). (2002). Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Education. Blackwell

Journal Article

• Forms of knowledge and forms of philosophy
  Smith, R. (2023). Forms of knowledge and forms of philosophy. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 57(1), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopedu/qhad007
• Character education and the instability of virtue
  Smith, R. (2022). Character education and the instability of virtue. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 56(6), 889-898. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12692
• Unsettling Knowledge: Irony and Education
  Smith, R. (2020). Unsettling Knowledge: Irony and Education. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 54(3), 757-771. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12444
• Writing Up and Down: The Language of Educational Research
  Smith, R. (2020). Writing Up and Down: The Language of Educational Research. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 54(3), 666-678. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12440
• Wittgenstein, Pesquisa Educacional e a Captura da Ciência (Wittgenstein, educational research and the capture of science)
  Smith, R. (2020). Wittgenstein, Pesquisa Educacional e a Captura da Ciência (Wittgenstein, educational research and the capture of science). Educação & Realidade, 45(3), Article e106764. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-6236106764
• The ancient quarrel and the dream of writing
  Smith, R. (2018). The ancient quarrel and the dream of writing. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 52(4), 592-608. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12324
• The ethics of Research Excellence
  Conroy, J., & Smith, R. (2017). The ethics of Research Excellence. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 51(4), 693-708. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12249
• The virtues of unknowing
  Smith, R. (2016). The virtues of unknowing. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 50(2), 272-284. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12206
• Metamorphosis and the management of change
  Smith, R. (2016). Metamorphosis and the management of change. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 50(1), 8-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12169
• Educational research: the importance of the humanities
  Smith, R. (2015). Educational research: the importance of the humanities. Educational Theory, 65(6), 739-754. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.12145
• Erziehung und Wissenschaft, Erklären und Verstehen
  Smith, R., & Keiner, E. (2015). Erziehung und Wissenschaft, Erklären und Verstehen. Zeitschrift für Pädagogik, 5, 665-682
• Judgement calls: the ethics of educational deliberation
  Smith, R. (2014). Judgement calls: the ethics of educational deliberation. Pedagogical Culture, 1, 101-114
• A strange condition of things: alterity and knowingness in Dickens' 'David Copperfield'
  Smith, R. (2013). A strange condition of things: alterity and knowingness in Dickens' 'David Copperfield'. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 45(4), 371-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2012.718144
• University futures.
  Smith, R. (2012). University futures. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 46(4), 649-662. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2012.00884.x
• Beneath the skin: statistics, trust and status.
  Smith, R. (2011). Beneath the skin: statistics, trust and status. Educational Theory, 61(6), 633-645. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-5446.2011.00425.x
• The play of Socratic dialogue.
  Smith, R. (2011). The play of Socratic dialogue. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 45(2), 221-233
• On dogs and children: judgements in the realm of meaning.
  Smith, R. (2011). On dogs and children: judgements in the realm of meaning. Ethics and Education, 6(2), https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2011.622990
• Total parenting.
  Smith, R. (2010). Total parenting. Educational Theory, 60(3), 357-369
• Social science and education: challenge and rhetoric.
  Smith, R. (2010). Social science and education: challenge and rhetoric
• Between the lines: philosophy, text and conversation.
  Smith, R. (2009). Between the lines: philosophy, text and conversation
• The long slide to happiness.
  Smith, R. (2008). The long slide to happiness. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 42(3-4), 559-573. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2008.00650.x
• Proteus rising: Re-imagining educational research.
  Smith, R. (2008). Proteus rising: Re-imagining educational research. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 42(S1), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2008.00635.x
• Bildung: the liberation of the ideal.
  Smith, R. (2008). Bildung: the liberation of the ideal
• To school with the poets: philosophy, method and clarity.
  Smith, R. (2008). To school with the poets: philosophy, method and clarity. Paedagogica Historica, 44(6), 635-645. https://doi.org/10.1080/00309230802486077
• As if by Machinery: The Levelling of Educational Research
  Smith, R. (2006). As if by Machinery: The Levelling of Educational Research. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 40(2), 157-168. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2006.00509.x
• Abstraction and finitude: education, chance and democracy
  Smith, R. (2006). Abstraction and finitude: education, chance and democracy. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 25(1-2), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-006-6436-9
• On diffidence: the moral psychology of self-belief
  Smith, R. (2006). On diffidence: the moral psychology of self-belief. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 40(1), 51-62. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2006.00498.x
• Dancing on the feet of chance: the uncertain university
  Smith, R. (2005). Dancing on the feet of chance: the uncertain university. Educational Theory, 55(2), 139-150
• What it makes sense to say: Wittgenstein, rule-following and the nature of education.
  Smith, R., & Burbules, N. (2005). What it makes sense to say: Wittgenstein, rule-following and the nature of education. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37(3), 417-422
• Unfinished business: education without necessity
  Smith, R. (2003). Unfinished business: education without necessity. Teaching in Higher Education, 8(4), 477-491
• Two dogmas of measurement
  Smith, R., & Smeyers, P. (2003). Two dogmas of measurement. Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspective, 1(4), 279-285
• Thinking with each other: the peculiar practice of the university
  Smith, R. (2003). Thinking with each other: the peculiar practice of the university. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 37(2), 309-323
• Self-esteem: The kindly apocalypse
  Smith, R. (2002). Self-esteem: The kindly apocalypse. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 36(1), 87-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.00261
• The demand of language: the justice of the différend, The School Field
  Smith, R. (2001). The demand of language: the justice of the différend, The School Field
• Paths of Judgement: the revival of practical wisdom
  Smith, R. (1999). Paths of Judgement: the revival of practical wisdom. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 31(3), 327-340