Paul is a former student at the University of Central Lancashire and after carrying out research as part of his studies, gained a First in Education Studies and Social Policy. He was subsequently awarded a studentship at the Centre for Applied Research in Education (CARE) and gained his PhD under the supervision of Professor John Elliott, before embarking on a research career, firstly by joining the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) as a senior research officer and then by establishing an independent research company, focusing on research with marginalised children and families.

Paul’s interests are on those disaffected with, or excluded from educational provision, including further and higher education. He has led a number of research projects examining the risks young people face and the ways in which parents, teachers, schools and society can build resilience.

Paul’s current research includes an evaluation of interventions around risk with women in Lancashire, parental involvement, and reparation initiatives with offenders and victims in Merseyside. Previously he has been involved in a before and after study of a family and a community based crime reduction intervention in Oldham, researching the risks around secondary transfer (year 6-8) in Manchester, and researching drug and alcohol use and risk exposure among young people in Manchester (within and outside educational provision). He has previously researched for government departments such as the Home Office and DfES, he has worked on European Union funded projects looking at youth disaffection in Paris, and conducted evaluation for local authorities, government bodies, for Sure Start local projects and for Children’s Centres.

Paul currently teaches postgraduate research modules within CELT, contributing to Masters, PhD and EdD programmes.