Andrew Ravenscroft

Professor Andrew Ravenscroft is a Professor of Education and Social and Community Work and Senior Research Advisor at the University of East London, working within the School of Childhood and Social Care and the Department of Social Work Counselling & Social Care. He serves as the Cluster Professor covering Social and Community Work programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As a Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol), Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), and Fellow of the RSA (FRSA), he maintains active roles in the Centre for Wellbeing, Community and Inclusion; the Centre for Social Change and Justice; and as an Associate of the Institute for Connected Communities (ICC).

Dr. Ravenscroft's research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to Psychosocial and Socio-technical Innovation in educational and community settings. His work spans inclusive education, mental health and wellbeing, criminal exploitation of vulnerable children and youth violence, mindfulness-based interventions, and the development of inclusive thinking dialogue through technology design. He has developed innovative approaches such as the RadioActive101 project, which uses participatory internet radio to promote inclusion and non-formal learning among disenfranchised youth, and the Boxing and Mindfulness (BAM) program as an early intervention for mental health.

His publication portfolio demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward social innovation through technology, with particular emphasis on community engagement, participatory media, and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing social exclusion. The research shows strong connections between educational technology, psychological wellbeing, and community development, with a clear focus on vulnerable populations and innovative intervention methodologies.

• Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol)
• Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
• Fellow of the RSA (FRSA)
• Winner of the international 'digging into data challenge' 2011

Professor Ravenscroft has attracted over £6.46 million in research funding throughout his career, serving as Principal or Co-Investigator on numerous projects. He supervises doctoral students working on topics ranging from digital inclusion to youth mental health and mathematics achievement. His current projects include RadioActive 2.0, BAM (Boxing and Mindfulness), and research on toxic childhood conditions. He has also been instrumental in developing the Westfield Opening Observation Exercise for the London 2012 Olympic Games and collaborating with organizations like Ridiculusmus Theatre Company on mental health awareness initiatives.

His work bridges academic research with practical community applications, particularly through his leadership of the RadioActive projects across multiple European countries and his academic role in the Newham Youth Safety Action team (NYSAT). Ravenscroft maintains strong connections with Buddhist meditation practices, which inform his mindfulness-based research approaches.