I work at Brunel University London. I taught in mainstream and specialist schools for nearly 20 years. Subsequently I joined the staff of the West London Institute prior to its incorporation within Brunel University. I have previously held Chairs in Education at Nottingham Trent and Northampton universities, before returning to Brunel. I am also emeritus professor at Northampton University.

I have undertaken major research and consultancy projects in special and inclusive education, both within the UK and internationally (including Australia, Macedonia, Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, Oman and Sierra Leone). I am an external reviewer for European Commission research programmes, including Horizon 2020 and Erasmus Plus.

I have published widely on topics relating to my research interests, including alternative provision for excluded learners, leadership and change in education communities and teacher development. I am the Editor-in-Chief of Wiley-Blackwell's journal Support for Learning, recognised internationally as one of the leading journals supporting a 'practitioner-researcher' approach.