Andrew Colley

Andrew Colley is the author of a number of books and articles about special educational needs and about social justice with respect to young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties. He has Masters Degrees from the Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge and from 2015 - 2019 he was Senior Lecturer in Special Education at the University of East London

Since 2020 Andrew's work has focussed on issues around mental health care in the UK and other countries. His book "In-Patient Mental Health Care from the Asylum System to the Present Day - a lived experience of policy and practice" was published by Routledge in February 2024, and he is the co-editor of "Art Therapy in In-Patient Settings: the legacy of Edward Adamson" which was published by Routledge in May 2026.

Andrew's latest book - co-authored with John Neil - "The Man who Tested Parachutes - Charles Agate and the Development of Britain's Airborne Forces for D-Day and Arnhem" was published by Pen and Sword Books in March 2025. It has been featured in national and local newspapers as well as on the BBC, and Andrew and John now present talks and signings about Charles Agate around the country.

Andrew campaigns for improved mental health care, and is involved in fundraising and other initiatives with his local NHS Foundation Trust. He works as an 'expert by experience' alongside the Care Quality Commission on inspections of mental health services.