Stephen Riley

Dr. Stephen Riley, b. 1955, is an artist, lecturer and writer. Stephen grew up in Stalybridge on the eastern fringes of what is now Greater Manchester. He left school at 16 and became a gas engineer, before returning to full-time education as a mature student and studying Fine Art in Manchester, Exeter and Canterbury, and completing a doctorate at Leeds University in 2002.

Stephen's work as a practising artist has always been accompanied by an interest in critical theory and cultural politics. He is also a lifelong Northern Soul fan and presents The Northern Soul Recall Show via Papa-D Productions Radio.

Stephen now lives in Somerset, where he continues to paint, take photographs, exhibit, write, and dance to Northern Soul.

Books by Stephen Riley:

'Soul Stories' (2022) is the follow-up to 'The Truth about Northern Soul' - liberated by fiction, it goes to places its predecessor could not, and explores the lives of individuals caught up in the whirlwind that was the 1970s northern soul scene.

‘The Truth About Northern Soul – Unpacking the Myths’ (2018) – this book takes the popularised myths about this crucial 1970s music/club scene and asks if they really stand scrutiny when compared to the experiences of those who were there at the time.

'Barsteadworth College - How Workplace Bullies Get Away With It' (2010) – a book about institutionalised nepotism and workplace bullying in a provincial UK art college.