Dr Amber Martin-Woodhead
Senior Research Fellow
Amber is a Senior Research Associate in Design for Sustainability in the School of Art and Design at Manchester Metropolitan University.
She is an interdisciplinary researcher working across design and human geography, with a particular focus on material cultures and sustainable consumption. Her recent and ongoing research examines the sustainable potential of minimalist lifestyles and parenting, sustainable fashion, and circular design systems, with an emphasis on how everyday objects, values, and practices can support more sustainable ways of living.
Amber is currently under contract with Princeton University Press, writing a book on the sustainable potential of lifestyle minimalism. Her research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Consumer Culture, Urban Studies, Gender, Place & Culture, Area, and International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, as well as in edited volumes on ethical and sustainable consumption.
She actively contributes to public debate on sustainable consumption through articles in The Conversation and The i newspaper, and frequently provides expert commentary for major media outlets including The Thomson Reuters Foundation News and Cosmopolitan. She has appeared on podcasts and radio programs, including BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours, offering insights into sustainable fashion, decluttering culture, and minimalist living.
Amber holds a BA (Hons) in Geography, MSc in Economy, Space & Society and a PhD in Human Geography from The University of Nottingham, and a PGcertAPHE from Coventry University.
Research
Book Chapters
Martin-Woodhead, A., Waight, E., 2023. 'Less is more: The sustainable potential of minimalist families'. In Research Handbook on Ethical Consumption, pp. 190-203.
Crewe, L., Martin, A., 2016. 'Looking at luxury: Consuming luxury fashion in global cities'. In Handbook on Wealth and the Super Rich, pp. 322-338.
Martin, A., 2014. 'Sex shops in England's cities: From the backstreets to the high streets'. In Sub Urban Sexscapes Geographies and Regulation of the Sex Industry, pp. 44-59.
Internet Publications
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2023. 'Five reasons you should consider renting your outfits this wedding season', https://theconversation.com/five-reasons-you-should-consider-renting-your-outfits-this-wedding-season-204215.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2022. 'Sustainable fashion expert: why I'm cutting my wardrobe down to ten items this month', https://theconversation.com/sustainable-fashion-expert-why-im-cutting-my-wardrobe-down-to-ten-items-this-month-177936.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2022. 'Why TV decluttering shows need to clean up their act.', https://theconversation.com/why-tv-decluttering-shows-need-to-clean-up-their-act-174443.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2021. 'I spoke to minimalists to find out why they are giving up their personal possessions', https://theconversation.com/i-spoke-to-minimalists-to-find-out-why-they-are-giving-up-their-personal-possessions-155353.
Journal Articles
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2023. 'Making wardrobe space: The sustainable potential of minimalist-inspired fashion challenges', Area, 55 (2), pp. 274-283.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2023. 'Seatbelts in Selfridges: The innovative use of post-consumer waste by BELO bags', International Journal of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles, 2 (2), pp. 189-197.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2022. 'Limited, considered and sustainable consumption: The (non)consumption practices of UK minimalists', Journal of Consumer Culture, 22 (4), pp. 1012-1031.
Crewe, L., Martin, A., 2017. 'Sex and the city: Branding, gender and the commodification of sex consumption in contemporary retailing', Urban Studies, 54 (3), pp. 582-599.
Martin, A., 2016. 'Plastic fantastic? Problematising post-feminism in erotic retailing in England', Gender Place and Culture, 23 (10), pp. 1420-1431.
Brickell, K., Maddrell, A., Martin, A., Price, L., 2013. 'By any other name? The Women and Geography Study Group', Area, 45 (1), pp. 11-12.
Martin, A., 2013. 'Fifty Shades of sex shop: Sexual fantasy for sale', Sexualities, 16 (8), pp. 980-984.
Martin, A., 2013. 'Porno? Chic! How pornography changed the world and made it a better place', Gender, Place & Culture, 20 (7), pp. 937-938.
Attwood, F., Barker, M., Bragg, S., Egan, D., Evans, A., Harvey, L., Hawkes, G., Heckert, J., Holford, N., Macvarish, J., Martin, A., McKee, A., Mowlabocus, S., Paasonen, S., Renold, E., Ringrose, J., Valentine, L., Watson, A.F., van Zoonen, L., 2012. 'Engaging with the Bailey Review: Blogging, academia and authenticity', Psychology and Sexuality, 3 (1), pp. 69-94.
Non-Peer Reviewed Articles
Graham, J., 2026. ''Love Island' dumps fast fashion for second-hand eBay partnership.', Thomson Reuters Foundation News.
Crossley, A., 2026. 'Help! I'm addicted to second-hand shopping apps.', Cosmopolitan magazine.
Marley, J., 2026. 'Slow fashion: saving the planet with style', The Conversation.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2022. 'Decluttering shows must clean up act', The i newspaper.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2022. 'Why I will be wearing only 10 items this month. Going on a 'fashion fast' is easier than you think', The i newspaper.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2021. 'Could you go minimalist in your spring clean?', The i newspaper.
Conference Papers
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2020. 'Unbegun circular economies: Minimalist fashion and fashion challenges.', Sustainable Apparel and textiles (SAT) in the Circular Economy, University of Huddersfield, 2/9/2020 - 4/9/2020.
Martin-Woodhead, A., 2017. 'Minimalism as sustainable fashion', The circular economy: transitioning to sustainability?, Coventry University, 11/7/2017 - 11/7/2017.