Mr Richard Batty

I’m a lecturer and researcher in the Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences. My time at LSBU is focused primarily on the delivery of the undergraduate and post-graduate curricula. I also oversee MSc students in their professional work-based placements.

Before joining the Division of Psychology, I worked as a theatre director, wellbeing practitioner, outreach worker, and project coordinator of many community and prison arts and theatre-based projects in London and across the U.K. In my applied work, I promote the active participation of young people in their own community with a special focus on young people at risk of social exclusion due to cultural, social, and economic obstacles. I remain dedicated to expanding the personal and professional horizons of gang-affiliated youths and other marginalised, and vulnerable young people.
As a researcher, I specialise in the field of forensic psychology, principally focusing on juvenile offending, as well as mental health, adolescence, and family communication. My research work aims to inform psychological and criminological concepts, theories, methods, policies, and practices through the use of creative, qualitative methodologies.
I am particularly interested in digital life story work which draws upon the use of computers, software, smartphones, and other audio-visual recording devices in a range of contemporary and exciting ways. As well as utilising qualitative interviewing and focus group techniques, I also employ arts-based methods, including visual and performative arts, such as creative writing, photography, music, sculpture, and textile arts and crafts.

I have a keen interest in the geographies of children, youth, and families, which deals, chiefly, with the study of places and spaces of family life. I am especially interested in graphic participatory mapping techniques and qualitative methodologies that capture the abstract realm of emotions, feelings, and connections with others.
Supervision:
I have a broad range of research interests and would be pleased to work with students and researchers on topics related to:
Policing and crime in the community; criminal careers through the life-course; systems of justice, including transitions from juvenile to adult criminal justice systems; youth offending; gang affiliation; families, relationships and relational change; communication practices; dark communication; adolescent mental health; childhood; geographies of children, young people and families; disability, intimacy and sexuality.

Forensic psychology, social psychology, psychology of mental health and distress, lifespan development and research methods.