About
Michael is Director of the Leadership, Effective Education and Policy (LEEP) research centre and is also the Southampton Education School’s Research Impact Champion.
His research draws principally on sociological approaches to the education/work nexus 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 applied theories of capitals, credentialism, value and identity to address these issues.
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 Journal of Education and Work, British Journal of Sociology of Education and Higher Education Policy and has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Eastern Finland.
Career history
2022- Professorial Chair, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton.
2016- 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.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Education, employment and employability
- Transitions from education to work
- Career capitals and resources
- Higher education policy (employability, marketisation, access)
- Sociological and political economic aspects of higher education
Current research
Michael has recently completed an UKRI funded research project, in partnership with the Association of Graduate Careers and Advisory Services (AGCAS) investigating the impacts of COVID-19 on graduate career decisions, transitions and outcomes. He is also developing further applications of the Graduate Capital Model, mainly in relation to diverse social groups and to work-related learning and assessment. A further current interest is developing conceptual understandings and related measures for engaging the value of higher education.
Research projects
Completed projects
Publications
Supervision
Current PhD Students
Teaching
Michael has been closely involved in doctoral supervision since his time at the University of Southampton and has supervised 17 doctoral students to successful completion. 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.
Biography
Professor Michael Tomlinson is Professor of Higher Education and Work within Southampton Education School at the University of Southampton.
His research draws principally on sociological approaches to the education/work nexus 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 applied theories of capitals, credentialism, value and identity to address these issues.
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 Journal of Education and Work, British Journal of Sociology of Education and Higher Education Policy and has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Eastern Finland.
Career history
2022 - Professorial Chair, Southampton Education School, University of Southampton.
2016- 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.