About

I started in education as a secondary school teacher and later trained as an Educational Psychologist. Over the years, I've spent much time working in the Youth Justice sector, school exclusion and managed moves and have practiced, mostly, in a youth offending team, Pupil Referral Units and Secure Children Homes (child prisons) for a number of years. I also supervise doctorate research and lectures at The Institute of Education, University College London.​

​

As Director of Research at States of Mind CIC and in collaboration with UCL, I work with young people, educators, professionals and other innovators to co-create new realities for education and mental health care through intergenerational dialogue and social action.

​

Former Co-Director at Square Peg CIC, an organisation that supports and campaigns on behalf of young people and families who are excluded, struggle to attend, or are disengaged with an education system which lacks relevance. 

 

Alongside Bea Herbert (States of Mind founder) I recently published my first book - 'States of Mind: How adults and young people can work together to change education and mental health systems'. Further, I am writing a trilogy of books that will explore the history of UK education, how the deeply entrenched narratives that underpin today's system have come about and ideas for evolution.

 

Over the years, I have also written numerous journal articles, alongside opinion pieces in media such as The Independent, Byline Times, The Psychologist and other publications and am a regular contributor on podcasts and documentaries. I am also a musician and recording artist and view psychology and my work as a creative quest to escape the enclosures of modernity.