Welcome to the website of Richard Skinner. Here you will find information about my poetry, my cabaret-revue comedy, my research into evolutionary psychology and spirituality, and other current projects such as collaborating in the writing of a musical. If you wish to contact me about any of them - to order books, to commission a poem, to book me for a poetry reading or a cabaret or a creative writing workshop, or simply to comment on the material I am posting, please click on the link at the bottom of this page.

Brief details. A Londoner by upbringing, I moved to the south-west of England in 1975 for 6 months. I'm still here. Over the years I have worked as a library assistant, psychiatric nurse, social worker, family therapist, mental health support worker and second-hand bookshop assistant. Currently I am a self-employed poet, performer, therapist/counsellor, occasional workshop leader, mental health worker and bookshop assistant, and in 2006 I started post-graduate research into links between evolutionary theory and spirituality. I have been a member of the Parish of Central Exeter for many years, where I am currently a church warden. I live in Exeter with my partner Betsy.

As a poet and performer I have published seven books, the most recent being 'Invocations'. I give regular readings of my work, appearing at the Exeter Festival since 1989, and have twice been on tours sponsored by South West Arts. A former member of Cambridge University 'Footlights', I also write and perform sketch-based comedy, and I appeared on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with both my comedy and my poetry.

Other writings include occasional fiction with short stories published in a range of small press magazines, and occasional non-fiction articles published in newsletters, small magazines and on the web. I am currently collaborating on the writing of a Christmas nativity musical for use in schools.

Research. With a degree in natural sciences behind me, I have over the years developed a strong interest in evolutionary theory, and in particular evolutionary psychology. My current focus is on how that relates to the religious/spiritual dimension.