Profile
My name is Richard, and I have been working in the youth sector for the past ten years at multiple levels. I am now bringing my knowledge and experience to academic spaces to expand upon some of my observations and conduct research studies that explore and better understand how to support young people in the fast-paced world we live in.
I also write grime music and use that platform to express my experiences, thoughts, opinions, wildest dreams, and imagination, and to communicate with the public.
I recently worked on a study called Rhyme and Reality: Youth work in the booth, that explored the approaches youth workers take in music settings when a young person brings lyrics to the booth that are violent or misogynistic. This study feels especially important in light of the growing number of young people who are having their lyrics used as evidence in criminal cases.
I am currently working on a study called The Heart Project that explores the role the arts—specifically music-making—play in supporting young people’s mental health and social development.
Research
Research Interests:
My interests surround health and inequality affecting young Londoners as well as social justice, crime prevention and youth safety, systemic racism, navigating lived experience of crime of violence, trauma and mental health, addiction, stop and search and policing, community support.