Stephen started organising in academia in 1990 by participating in the review and discussion of papers presented at the conference “Speculations: appraising psychoanalysis, philosophy and cultural studies”, held October 26th to 28th, 1990 at the Freud Museum, London. Later published as “Speculations after Freud”, edited by Sonu Shamdasani and Michael Munchow (Stephen is credited in the Preface). He later went on the gain a First-Class Degree in Humanities (with Philosophy) 2016 at The Open University.
Stephen transitioned the Planning Appeal Process at Westminster City Council to an automated, paperless system (1995-96), conducted software systems audits, managed a multi-platform test programme and a transfer of systems after a merger as Quality Assurance Manager at BNP-Paribas (1997-2000) and was trained in the Capability Maturity Model and designed documentation at IBM (2000-2001).
Stephen gained OSW funding (20k) for and managed the social enterprise of “Crafty Folk “a Homeless Artists Market Stall at Spitalfields, City of London for which he won an award for innovation from Crisis UK (2006).
With Groundswell UK, Stephen was a founder of “Outside-In” a homeless user involvement group in St Mungo’s (The largest homeless charity in London). He helped design a peer facilitation training programme for use in hostels, led workshops and mentored homeless residents to participate in the planning process of a new Hostel in Kensington and Chelsea (now managed by Look ahead). He also articulated homeless issues to Parliament (ODPM) and the Audit Commission.