Simon Procter

Professor Simon Procter is a York St John University faculty member in the School of the Arts, holding the title of Professor of Creativity and Mental Health. As Director of Converge, he focuses on education as social justice, particularly for marginalized populations.

• Music therapist and sociologist with 29 years at Nordoff Robbins
• PhD in Music Sociology from University of Exeter
• Currently researching music therapy in Palestinian refugee camps and neoliberal healthcare systems

His research bridges music therapy, social capital theory, and ethnography, emphasizing creative practices in mental health. He critiques standardized methodologies like RCTs in artistic contexts.

Recent publications analyze music therapy's role in trauma resilience, cross-cultural settings, and the interplay of entrepreneurialism and precariousness in artistic work. His work also explores musical biography in therapeutic training.

As a postgraduate research supervisor, he fosters collaborative research with community partners. His professional activities include trusteeships at the National Centre for Early Music and Yorkshire-based charities like Emerging Voices.