Paul is an internationally recognised medical sociologist with expertise in governance, inequalities and public health policy. He has researchered these areas for more than 25 years and published widely in a range of international peer reviewed journals including British Journal of Surgery, Social Science and Medicine and Health, Risk and Society. Paul’s current work, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, focuses upon the relationship between economic inactivity and health. 

He has a long history of leading and conducting evaluations of community based projects, including the Tees Health Action Zone, Sure Start programmes, Middlesbrough Healthy Living Centre and Single Regeneration Budget and continues to publish on the evaluation of complex interventions.

Between 2008 and 2011 he edited the international peer reviewed journal, Critical Public Health. 

An experienced supervisor of postgraduate resarch students, Paul is happy to discuss doctoral applications in the areas of risk and social theory, critical perspectives on public health, complex interventions and health governance.

Paul is currently Professor in Public Policy and erstwhile Dean in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law (SSHL) at Teesside University. Over a seven year tenure as Dean he transformed SSHL into a research driven, publicly engaged School that delivers outstanding academic and professional courses for the communities it serves. Examples include establishing a suite of Initial Teacher Training courses in partnership with local primary and secondary trusts and securing the  Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship with Cleveland Police force.

Through Paul's commitment to widening access, deep engagement with stakeholders and delivering community impact, the School is now at the forefront of the Teesside University mission of transforming lives and economies.

He has previosuly held a variety of academic and leadership poistions in health and social care and social sciences including as Associate Dean and Head of Department. He is an experienced teacher and has led courses and modules in a range of specialisms including community development, public health, sociology, social policy and research methods. He is currently national co-director of the University Alliance led Doctoral Training Alliance. 

Paul began his career as a youth and community worker with Middlesbrough Borough Council in the late 1990s. 

Paul has a track record of strategic collaboration with the public and community and voluntary sector organisations regionally and nationally. From 2013-23 he was voluntary Chair of Healthwatch South Tees, the champion for users of health and social care. He has previosuly acted as a trustee of various charities and third sector organisations including Catalyst; Middlesbrough Environment City; Together Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Mind.

Paul is currently a member of the North East Child Poverty Commission and a patron of Investors in People and Culture.