Michael holds an undergraduate degree in Community Development and a Master of Arts through Research from the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). His thesis, An Assessment of Community Based Job Creation in Ireland, explored the role of community enterprise in fostering sustainable employment, particularly within rural communities.
Adopting a qualitative case study methodology, his research examined the socio-economic impacts of community-based job creation and highlighted the contributions of social entrepreneurs in this field. Findings demonstrated that, while community enterprises may not prioritise employment creation, their governance, service provision, and collaborative networks frequently generate both direct and indirect jobs as a natural outcome of their growth and community impact.
More recently, Michael has been heavily involved in the Just Transition Academy in County Offaly, working within the Regenerative Economies pillar of the EU Just Transition Fund. This initiative supports communities in developing sustainable, inclusive, and resilient local economies through social enterprise, circular economy, bioeconomy, and community wealth building. His work contributes to research, mentoring, and knowledge sharing that empowers communities to take practical steps towards regeneration, job creation, and long-term resilience.