Professor Michael Tomlinson

Michael has been closely involved in doctoral supervision since his time at the University of Southampton and has supervised 19 doctoral students to successful completion. He has examined over 40 doctoral theses.

In addition to this, he has taught at all levels at the School and currently convenes several undergraduate modules, namely Contemporary Issues in Education (year 1) and Employability (year 2). He also supervises final year and Masters dissertations.

Professor Michael Tomlinson is a Professor in Higher Education, Work and Employability within the Southampton Education School at the University of Southampton. He is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Turku, Finalnd.

His research focuses on the nexus between higher education and work and has substantive interests in higher education policy, labour markets, employability and marketisation. An ongoing theme in his research is the construction of identities and how policy and social changes impact on institutions and stakeholders. His work combines critical conceptual analysis with an interest in developing practical tools and resources that can aid future career progression.  He has also done research with employers, and academics working in HE, and written about the public value of higher education. He has published widely in these areas.

His work often centres on education, work and identity and how individuals understand the value and meaning of their current and future employment and develop work identities. He's interested in the concept of meaningful work and its different dimensions, sources and manifestations.

He has received research funding from the ESRC, UKRI, Research England, Higher Education Academy (Advance HE), HEFCE (OfS) and the Greek Education Ministry to develop this research agenda. He is on the editorial boards of the journals: Journal of Education and Work, Higher Education, British Journal of Sociology of Education, and Higher Education Policy. He was previously a Visiting Professor at the University of Eastern Finland.

Career history

2022 - Professorial Chair, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton.

2016-2022 Associate Professor, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton.

2011-2016 - Lecturer, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton.

2008-2011 - Lecturer, School of Public Policy, Keele University.

2007-2008 - Research Associate, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University.

2005-2006 -  ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University.