Michael's research focuses on how governments can build more effective partnerships to tackle some of the most complex issues facing society. In particular, he is interested in how trust between partners can be built and reconciled with the need for public accountability, particularly in the context of public-private partnerships to deliver complex social services through 'formal relational contracting'.

Since 2020, Michael has worked at the Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab) within the Blavatnik School. His work spans the GO Lab's research and engagement efforts. He has been particularly focused on the use of formal relational contracts in public sector contracting, and different approaches to accountability in public-public partnership working between different departments and levels of government.

Michael is originally from Sunderland, in the North East of England. He holds an MPhil in the History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine, and a BA in Natural Sciences, both from the University of Cambridge.

Michael is a Government Outcomes Lab Scholar.