Franklyn Addo Email & Phone Number

I’m frequently instructed as an expert defence witness in court cases involving ‘gangs’, violence, and youth culture, especially 'Drill' or rap music, technology and social media, and 'urban' language. I have been consulted by firms such as Tuckers Solicitors, SVS Solicitors and Murray Hughman in proceedings including the high profile 'Manchester 10' case.

I am regularly commissioned to write about topics like police brutality and the criminalisation of culture in publications ranging from The Guardian to Cambridge University Press. My non-fiction debut about the history of Grime music is forthcoming on Jacaranda BooksI facilitated a participatory research project in collaboration with Economy and the University of East London, based at Newham Youth Justice Service. Led by young people, the research investigates local poverty and innovative approaches to Community Wealth Building; the findings are to be fed back to key stakeholders including the Borough MayorI am Safeguarding Lead of "PATTERN", a collaborative project with Ciaran Thapar and Demetri Addison which delivers workshops exploring culture, Sociology and English with students at risk of harm or educational or social exclusionI was part of the production team of BBC Two's "One Week in August" documentary, an intimate reflection on the 2011 London Riots. I've previously had a short film about violence induced trauma commissioned by BBC Three as part of the "Things I Can't Unsee" series I regularly deliver training, presentations and guest lectures about trauma informed youth work and issues like the criminalisation of culture in collaboration with organisations such as South London youth violence charity Power the Fight and educational institutions like BIMM and Goldsmiths.

I am a Trustee of Art Against Knives, a North London charity working to reduce the root causes of youth violence through creativity.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs

Master Of Arts - Ma