An experienced and qualified youth & community worker, and social worker, Mike joined De Montfort’s Youth & Community Division full-time in 2020, taking on the role of MA course leader for community development and youth work. Additionally, he teaches on numerous BA programmes with the Youth Work & Community Development Division, and Education Studies.
Mike successfully completed his PhD in 2020, titled: ‘Young people, situated learning, and peace praxis at the margins of everyday life'. His work focused on how young people understand issues of peace, conflict and violence in everyday life, and what young people do with what they know. Additionally, Mike writes about Participatory Action Research (PAR) built around an original approach to Photovoice, and how PAR can be a valuable tool in educational practice, youth & community work, and peace work.
Mike is passionate about issues of social justice and community-based pedagogy. His background includes social work, community development, civil rights work and police monitoring, research, and advocacy. He continues to deliver youth work and peace education with significantly vulnerable communities such as young people who are marginalised or at risk of serious violence.