Michael studied Sociology at Cambridge and Essex Universities and taught science in London secondary Schools. Other appointments included: Lecturer in Sociology of Education, Head of Post 16 Education Centre, and Professor of Education at the Institute of Education (IOE) and later University College London IOE.

He is the author, or editor of eight books, among which are: Bringing Knowledge Back In (2007); Knowledge Expertise and the Professions (with Johan Muller) (2014); and Curriculum and the Specialisation of Knowledge (with Johan Muller) (2015).

His primary research and policy interests have been in the school, post compulsory, university and professional curriculum, and the application of sociological analysis to the issues that curricula give rise to.