Richard Toon is Associate Research Professor at the School for Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC) where he directs the museum studies program, co-directs the Center for Archaeology and Society, and directs the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve and the Innovation Gallery. Before coming to SHESC he was Associate Director of Research at Morrison Institute for Public Policy.  Before joining the Morrison Institute, Richard was the Education and Research Director at the Arizona Science Center, responsible for educational programming and services at the museum. Prior to that he was the Center’s Research Scientist, where he developed research on visitor behavior and attitudes, exhibit development, and informal learning. He also consulted to museums and research projects in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Prior to moving to Arizona, he was the principal of a consulting firm to public and social agencies, primarily in New York City, in the areas of child health, juvenile justice, drug treatment programs, community-based family services, and child poverty. Richard also worked as a researcher for the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services and was Director of Operations Analysis and Management Reporting for New York City Department of Juvenile Justice.

Richard has a Ph.D. in Museum Studies from Leicester University, U.K. He also holds a M.A. in Religious Studies and a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Leeds University, U.K.