Professor.Dr Mike Seal

Educational Leadership

Summary

I am a National Teaching Fellow, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a qualified youth and community worker and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts for my work on homelessness in 2009. I have extensive experience in academic programme design and leadership, having developed and managed 14 programmes across educational levels, from Level 3 to doctoral study. I am currently leading the validation of two innovative programmes: the first Professional Doctorate in International and Community Development and Global Youth Work, and a Degree Apprenticeship in Youth Work, both of which aim to bridge academic rigour with professional practice. My doctoral supervision portfolio includes three PhD and eleven EdD candidates, and I have successfully supervised five doctoral theses to completion. I have served as both internal and external examiner, as well as chair, for numerous doctoral vivas, contributing to the quality assurance and academic integrity of doctoral assessment processes. Beyond formal academic programmes, I have delivered short courses and professional development training to over 100 agencies, supporting capacity-building across the youth, community, and education sectors. I have also served as an external examiner for academic programmes at seven higher education institutions, contributing to curriculum development and academic standards across the sector. My scores for teaching have consistently been 90% 1 & 2’s on module evaluations.

Programme Directorships (including lead on validations)

Degree Apprenticeship in Youth Work (Developing), Certificate in Community Leadership (level 4), Professional Doctorate in International and Community Development and Global Youth Work, MA in Education, International Development and Social Justice. Professional Certificate in Trade Union Education (postgraduate), BA in Criminology, MA in Criminology and Social Justice, BA in Youth and Community work, MA in Youth and Community work, Engage to change working with homelessness course (Chartered Institute of Housing accredited) Foundation year in Social Sciences (level 3), Foundation studies (level 3), Advanced route in BA Informal and Community Education, Certificate in Connexions Personal Advice (level 5), Advanced Professional Certificate in Working with Homeless People (Level 5), Postgraduate Certificate in the Provision of Health Care to People Experiencing Homelessness.

Modules led

Level three

Professional Practice Skills, Involving Services Users, Homelessness services, holistic support and prevention, Addressing Need, building capacity and promoting choice, informal and community education, Working with individuals, working with groups, understanding human development, reflective practice, foundation of the social sciences, studentship, education and society, understanding and exploring society.

Undergraduate

Sociology of Crime, Penology, Multi agency working, Groupwork, Human Relations, Values and ethics, Informal and Community Education, Community learning and development, Lifelong learning, engagement and effective practice, working for change with young people, working with other agencies and the community, Interdependent Learner, Working with Self and groups, Working with Diversity, research with young people, dissertations preparation, community work, critical pedagogy, thinking theoretically, management and safeguarding, homelessness and housing, reflective practice. Community leadership. Contemporary issues in criminology, contemporary social and political issues. Introduction to the social sciences., The sociology of childhood and families. Childhood studies dissertation, Equality, diversity and criminal Justice, The sociology of crime.

Postgraduate

Key concepts in Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness, Homelessness: Exclusion from health care and from society, Healthcare needs of people experiencing homelessness, Organising healthcare provision for homeless people, Working with homeless people who have complex and multiple needs, principles and practices of youth work, contemporary social and pedagogic issues, community work, alternative inquiry, professional studies, field work, trade union education, research methods in education and social sciences. victimology and vulnerability. Criminology Dissertations, Critical Perspectives of Childhood Studies, Childhood Studies MA dissertations.

Doctoral level teaching (EdD)

Research proposal, practitioner research in context, professional identity and values.

Short courses delivered:

Resettlement; Drugs and youth culture; Managing drugs in a residential setting; Introduction to youth work, Detached youth work skills; Sexuality awareness; Anti-Racist Youth work; Understanding the refugee experience. Making the social fund work for homeless people, Involving users in the participatory process. Demystifying Dual Diagnosis; Anti-discriminatory practice; Participation and Young people. Motivational interviewing with sex workers, motivational interviewing for housing workers, Introduction to Evaluation; research skills, Floating support.

Doctoral Work

Completed

Asa Anderson, Institution: Gothemborg University, Sweden, Title:‘ Sustainable Inclusion without Sustainability: Working with equal participation and unforeseen movement in physical education, sports and research (April 2023), Stage: Completed. Role: Supervisor Award: PhD

Jane Beniston, Institution, Newman University Birmingham, Title: University education: A transformational experience? Stage: Submitted. Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Sarah Parkes, Institution, Newman University Birmingham, Title: Using diffractive analysis to explore Students experiences of collaborative working between academics and professional staff. Stage: Completed. Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Iona Towler-Evans Institution, Newman University Birmingham, Title: An enquiry into the experiences of using Heathcote’s Commissioning Model with young Stage: Revisions required Role: Supervisor Award: PhD

Jennifer McCabbe, Institution, Newman University Birmingham, Title: An autoethnographic exploration of a critical journey within and outside of education, from the perspective of a beginning teacher and parent. Stage: Writing up Role: Supervisor Award: PhD

Undertaking

Student: Helen Johnson, Institution, St Marys University Twickenham, Title: Training and support experiences of STEM career changers through school-based initial teacher training routes Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: PhD

Student: Helen Upfield Institution, St Marys University Twickenham, Title: Title: What does it mean to belong to a college: How do lecturers, managers, and leaders articulate their understandings of belonging within Further Education? Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: PhD

Student: Indikah Smith Institution, St Marys University Twickenham, Title: How can the voices of Global Majority Students be utlilised to create safeguarding resources that equip safeguarding lead to report and deal with racialized incidents in English Schools. Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Student: Gary Pikett Institution, Birmingham City University, Title: A hopeful future? A critical exploration of the possibilities for LGBT+ representation and inclusivity in mainstream primary schools. Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Student: Vanessa Clarke Institution, Birmingham City University, Title: the experience of Doctoral candidates with ADHD. Stage: Beginning Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Student: Michelle Thomas Institution, Birmingham City University, Title: Safeguard School Children from Criminal Influences. Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Student: Aba Abekah-Mensah Institution, St Marys University, Title: Diverse dimensions: exploring the intersections of race, gender, and class and Their Impacts on Black students in further education mathematics Stage: Thesis Role: Director of Studies Award: EdD.

Student: Nikki Angilheri Institution, St Marys University, Title: An exploration of ‘belonging’ is HE staff from traditionally under-represented backgrounds and how this impacts on staff-student relationships, Stage: Thesis Role: Supervisor Award: EdD.

Student: Nic Evans. Institution, St Marys University, Title: Autoethnographic study with PAR of Gender issues in ITE Stage: Thesis Role: Supervisor Award: EdD.

Student: Mariam Ghorbannejad Institution, St Marys University, Title: Exploring staff and student perceptions and understanding of inclusion, inclusive education and inclusive pedagogy and any links to professional and personal identity Stage: Thesis Role: Supervisor Award: EdD.

Student: Melina Healy Institution, St Marys University, Title: Racism in education and its implications for Black students’ experiences of learning disabilities diagnosis Stage: Thesis Role: Supervisor Award: EdD.

Student: Arnab Podder Institution, St Marys University, Title: A study investigating institution leaders’ and teachers’ perspectives of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within independent English language training providers in Delhi, India Stage: Thesis Role: Supervisor Award: PhD

Student: Samira Iltaf Institution, Birmingham City University, Title: students’ attendance, engagement, and attainment Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Student: Gero Kaur Institution, Birmingham City University, Title: Education and Childhood Studies Stage: Data Collection Role: Supervisor Award: EdD

Internal Examining/ Chair

Thesis title: Navigating the use of data through management information systems in secondary schools in England: a case study approach Institution: St Marys University, Role: Chair, Viva Date: September 2024 Verdict: minor corrections.

Thesis title: A study of Year Six teachers’ perspectives on the important aspects of teaching and assessing writing within maintained primary schools in England. Institution: St Marys University, Role: Internal Examiner Viva Date: April 2025 Verdict: Major corrections.

External Examining (doctoral)

Thesis title: A study of the context, development, implementation and impact of a Bradford model of multicultural learning outside the classroom Institution: York St John University, Viva date: Sept 2024 Verdict: minors

Thesis title: Disrupting Gender Related Violence through Youth Work: A Feminist New Materialist Enquiry’ Institution: Brunel University, Viva date: Dec 2024 Verdict: Minors

Thesis title: Youth Work…… The Mystery and Magic: What could an evidence base for Youth Work look like? Institution: Cumbria University, Viva date: Feb 2025 Verdict: Majors.

Thesis title: Reconceptualising the Student Experience: An Auto-Driven Photo-Elicitation Study of the Lived Experiences of Students at a Post-92 University and Their Implications for Conceptions of Engagement and Success. Institution: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Viva date: May 2025 Verdict: Minors

External examining (taught)

Academic External Panelist, BA Apprenticeship Youth Work, Bishop Grosseteste University, 2024

Academic External Panelist, BA Apprenticeship Youth Work, Cumbria University 2024

Academic External Panelist, BA Apprenticeship Youth Work, Marjon University 2023

External presence, Re-validation of BA Education, MA Education re-validation 2020, St Mary’s university, London, 2020

External presence, Re-validation of BA Youth and Community work, Goldsmiths University, 2020

Community Leadership BA and MA, University of Central Lancashire, 2019 -present.

BA and MA in Youth and Community Work, Leeds Metropolitan University (2010 – 2014)

BA and MA in Community Education UWIC (2006 – 2010)

External presence for Derby University’s BA in Youth and Community Work re-validation 2004

Bedfordshire University’s Diploma in Personal Advice 2001-2005.

Teaching awards

National Teaching Fellowship (NTF), 2019

Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) 2019

Best Lecturer award, Newman Students union 2018, 2019

Most significant Community Contribution award, Newman Students union 2017, 2018

Nominated for Best subject award, Newman Student Union 2018, 2019

Distinguished Teaching Fellowship, Newman University Birmingham 2016

Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy 2015

Other pedagogic responsibilities

Convener of Newman Critical Pedagogy Group 2017-2020

Founder and Chair of Romero Freire Institute: Dialogue, Pedagogy and Practice at Newman University.

Convener of Lifelong Learning Special Interest Group, British Educational Association, 2020 – present.

Convener of Sexualities Special Interest Group, British Educational Association, 2014-2016.

Instigator, editor and launch organiser of Contexts, an academic journal for Students, YMCA George Williams College, 2007-2009

Conference and seminar organisation

Co-convenor of ‘Refugee Education and St Marys (June 26th) – One day event/ celebration as part of 175 anniversary year in refugee week. Looking at refugee education past and present, In conjunction with the Bakhita centre and local refugee groups.

Convenor of ‘Community Collaboration Celebration and Development Day.’ with Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse, the Centre for Research into the Education of Marginalised Children and Young Adults (CREMCYA), SWIFT – Sport, Wellbeing, Inclusion, Faith, or SCALA (the School of Liberal and Creative Arts). The event aimed to celebrate our current achievements and explore further development opportunities, St Marys University, March 2025.

Co-convenor of Education: Insights for policy from practice and research, 21st Jan 2025, a multi-presenter event with internal and external presenters at the house of lords , CREMCYA, Jan 2025

Co-conveor of ‘Refugee Education and St Marys (June 26th) – One day event/ celebration as part of 175 anniversary year in refugee week. Looking at refugee education past and present, In conjunction with the Bakhita centre and local refugee groups.

‘The Overlaps and Intersections of Playwork and Youth Work.’ (online), BERA Youth Studies and Informal Education SIG, March 2025.

Convenor and co-organiser of Critical Pedagogy in Practice Seminar, Birmingham City University, June 2025

Convenor and co-organiser of Critical Pedagogy Network Seminar, Birmingham Newman University, Sept 2024

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of PALYCW Annual Conference 2024: Reclaiming the Political Agenda: A Call for Action., Wrexham University, 27th-29th June 2024.

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of Research Conversations on Identities in Doctoral Learning and Supervision, Joint event between the Higher Education SIG, Youth Studies and Informal Education SIG & Early Career Researcher Network. British Educational Research Association, 21 Feb 2024,

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of PALYCW Critical Pedagogy Teaching and Learning Seminar between Newman University, Leeds Beckett and UCLAN, 16^th January 2024.

Co-organiser of Influencing Policy and Policy Making (Plenary Facilitator), St Marys University, 11^th November 2023

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of New Innovations in Educational Research, St Marys University, 4^th November 2023

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of Critical Pedagogy Network Seminar, Leeds Beckett University, May 2023

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of PALYCW Annual Conference 2023: Formally Informal: Pedagogy, Community & Practice, Derby University, 7th-9th June 2023.

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of PALYCW Critical Pedagogy Teaching and Learning Seminar between Newman University, Leeds Beckett and UCLAN, Jan 2024.

Co – Convenor and co-organiser of PALYCW Annual Conference 2022: Pracademia: Creativity, Community and Collaboration, Glasgow University, 29th June – 1st July 2022.

Co –Convenor of Pedagogies of Discomfort- Spaces for Working with Challenging Conversations and Topics, PALYCW Learning and Teaching Seminar, University of West of England, June 2022.

Designer and co-ordinator of three national courses for the General Federations of Trade Unions aiming at re-invigorating trade union education and re-engaging trade union activism with community development.

Co-convenor of ‘Questions for Paulo on his 100th Birthday – A celebration & diffraction of Freire’s work’ November 3, 2021 Organised by In Defense of Youth Work, Institute of Youth Work & the Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work.

Co-convenor of World Café event: Critical Pedagogy and the Continuing Relevance of Paulo Freire, November 24th Organised by the Commonwealth Higher Education Consortium for Youth Work, the Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work (PALYCW) and Nigeria Open College.

Co-Convenor and Co -Organiser of Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work Annual Conference: Reflection, Recovery and Regeneration: Learning from the lived experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nov 11-12^th 2021

Convener of Newman Critical Pedagogy Seminar series 2019-20

Convener of Newman Social work and Social Policy Seminar series 2018-2019, 2019. 2020.

Co-convener of ‘Religion and Sexuality: Where are we now?’, Sexualities Special Interest Group Seminar, British Educational Association. Sept 2020

Co-convener of ‘Challenging Heteronormativity in and through Youth and Community Work’, Youth studies and Informal Education Special Interest Group Seminar, British Educational Association. (Sept 2020)

Co-organiser and chair of ‘Diversity and Social Justice: The Big Conversation’ Newman University Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Jan 2020.

Co-organiser and Chair of International conference ‘Teaching Youth Work in Universities: Tensions, Connections, Contradictions and Continuities’ and Book Launch, Narva College, Estonia, Sept 2019.

Co-organiser and chair of ‘Access, Success and Participation: An Unconference’ Newman University Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Jan 2019.

Co-convener of ‘Squaring the Circle of Uncertainty: University as Community’, International staff week, Newman University, October 2018.

Co-organiser of International Seminar on Teaching Youth Work in Universities, Newman University, Sept 2018.

Co-organiser and Critical Pedagogy Strand Leader Newman University Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Jan 2018.

Co-organiser of Popular education strand of General Federation of Trade Unions Annual Union Building Conference 2017, 2018, 2019.

Host, Organiser and co-convener of Back to the Beyond: A progressive Pedagogy for Youth and Community work, Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work Annual Conference, July 2014, Newman University.

Host organiser and co-convener of ‘The Pedagogy of Youth Work and youth work training’, Youth studies and Informal Education Special Interest Group Seminar, British Educational Association, July 2014.

Host and co-chair of Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work and Children and Young People’s Heads of Service joint seminar, July 2014

Co-organiser of Touch: Working with street Violence through Street based youth work, Report Launch and conference, Newman University Birmingham, Jan 2013.

Co-organiser of Touch: Responding to Street Violence: Austrian premiere-screening of the documentary on the project, presentation and discussion of the project-findings, Graz, Sept 2013.

Co-organiser of ‘Growing Up in Britain, collaborative researching with children, Young people and Families in the Age of Austerity’, International research conference and launch of the children, young people and families research centre, Newman University Birmingham, Sept 2012.

Organiser of annual youth and community work Seminar, Newman University, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

Co-convener of ‘Working together: delivering health and well-being for homeless and insecurely housed people“ 2nd Health and Homeless conference, Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford, June 2007.

Co-convener of Securing services in an insecure world - the future provision of effective health care for people experiencing homelessness” Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford, June 2006.

Co-convener of National Resettlement Forum annual conference, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998.

Conference Papers, panels, podcasts and keynotes:

Community Connectedness and Co-operation in Higher Education: Praxis, Participation, and Power (Seminar) for Centre in Community Connectedness and Co-operation at the University of Lancashire, October 2025.

Religious Belief, Identity and Crisis: Pathways Between Despair and Hope at Annual Conference of the Association for Psychosocial Studies (APS) – Hope and Despair: Crisis and Opportunity, St Mary’s University, Chair(s): Peter Harris (Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom), Roger Willoughby (Oxford Brookes University) Discussant(s): Linden West (Canterbury Christchurch University), Mike Seal (St Mary’s University), 9-10 June 2025.

Key developments in policy to support young people in England – considerations for strategy and implementation going forward (Opening Keynote) , Westminster Media Forum and Westminster Education Forum policy conference: Priorities for the creation of the National Youth Strategy, April 2025

Activism, Social Justice and Self-deception: Are critical hopeful pedagogies possible in Higher Education (keynote), at Pedagogy and/as Academic Activism, Seminar, Liverpool John Moores University. October 2024.

The pracademic in professional education: An identity in waiting at BERA Conference 2024 and WERA Focal Meeting, University of Manchester, Sept 2024.

Deconstructing the doctorate: Making the doctorate fit for purpose for Widening Participation Students at BERA Conference 2024 and WERA Focal Meeting, University of Manchester, Sept 2024.

Deja Vue? Parallels between the Proposed guidance and Section 28. in Hot Topic, Navigating the shifting policy landscape of Relationship, Sex and Sexuality Education at BERA Conference 2024 and WERA Focal Meeting, University of Manchester, Sept 2024. The importance of inter-institutional networks for Critical Pedagogues (keynote) at Critical Pedagogy Network Seminar, Birmingham Newman University, Sept 2024

The Doctorate, is it fit for purpose for Widening Participation students? At ‘Festival of Teaching and Learning’ St Marys University, June 2024

Moral Panics, Principled Pragmatism and the Future of Youth Work, Opening Keynote, Marjon Plymouth University, ‘Youth Work is..’ conference, June 2024.

ADHD: Changing Narratives in Educational Discourse with Charlie Porter-Baker, Nottingham Trent, at the Neuro-diversity and Social Justice Conference, Centre for Community and Social Justice, Newman University Birmingham, June 2024.

ADHD: Who’s Tail Wags Whos Dog, Seminar for the Centre for Community and Social Justice, Newman University Birmingham, April 2024.

The Ethics of Using Moral Panics, Principled Pragmatism in the Youth Sector, Keynote and Panel member for Seminar with Prof Tim Corney (Victoria University), Sam Kettlewell (Convenor, Youth Work NSW), Kate Munro (CEO, Youth Action) Megan Lee (General Manager, Youth Action) and Assoc Prof Howard Sercombe (Western Sydney University), University of Western Sydney, May 2024.

Critical Pedagogy and the Helping Professions Contemporary Dialogue and Development in the European Context Keynote University of Western Sydney, May 2024.

Youth work with young people with multiple disadvantage, (keynote) Research Centre for Social Equity, Royal Melbourne Institute for Technology, May 2024

International Perspectives on Youth Poverty and Economic Disadvantage, (Keynote) Australia Youth Affairs Coalition, Melbourne, May 2024.

Young People and ME: Looking to the future, Keynote and panel member with Jenna Bloom (City of Onkaparinga), Tim Corney (Victoria University), Jen Stupple (Regional Manager FLO for Department for Education), Nat Cook (Minister for Human Services), Finders University, Adelaide.

Supervising and being supervised by colleagues: A conversation, at Research Conversations on Identities in Doctoral Learning and Supervision, Joint event between the Higher Education SIG, Youth Studies and Informal Education SIG & Early Career Researcher Network. British Educational Research Association, 21 Feb 2024,

The History of Critical Pedagogy in Higher Education (keynote) at Critical Pedagogy Network Seminar, University of Central Lancashire, Jan 2024

Influencing Policy and Policy Making (Plenary Facilitator), St Marys University, 11^th November 2023

The idea of the University: John Henry Newman, (Keynote), at Innovations in Educational Research Conference, St Marys University, Twickenham, 3rd November 2023.

The future of Professional Education in Higher Education: Perspectives from Initial Teacher Education, Youth and Community Work and Social Work (Chair and Speaker, with Jane Chambers, Simon Cauvain & Fiona Cullen) Hot Topic at British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Aston University, Sept 2023,

Is there a future for youth work training in Higher Education in the UK? (with Dr Fin Cullen) At ‘The Power of Youth Work: Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’, 4^th Commonwealth Youth Work Conference, The National Youth Agency & the Commonwealth Secretariat, Reading University, UK, 10 – 12 July 2023.

Building Internal Critical Pedagogy in HEI’s (keynote) at Critical Pedagogy Network Seminar, Leeds Beckett University, May 2023

A Fair Deal: Exploring fairness in social enterprises working with people experiencing homelessness at Enterprise Development Conference, Homeless Link (Keynote), 16 November 2022, Toynbee Hall, London

Links to the Higher Education Agenda, at PALYCW Learning and Teaching Seminar – Exploration of the involvement of Young people in delivery of HE courses, Wednesday 9th November 2022, University of Derby

Emeritus member group (workshop facilitator) at PALYCW Annual Conference 2022: Pracademia: Creativity, Community and Collaboration, Glasgow University, June 2022.

Characteristics of pedagogic spaces (paper presentaion), at Pedagogies of Discomfort- Spaces for Working with Challenging Conversations and Topics, PALYCW Learning and Teaching Seminar, University of West of England, June 2022.

Critical Pedagogy in Theory and Practice, (Keynote, Panel member and workshop) DEAP 2022 – reconnecting our Community Leeds Beckett University Centre for Learning and Teaching, June 2022.

Critical Pedagogy: How the student voice creates meaningful learning situations (With Alan Smith and Hannah Poklad) Podcast – Centre for Learning and Teaching, Leeds Beckett University. (March, 2022)

Critical Pedagogy: Moments of Magic (With Alan Smith and Hannah Poklad) Podcast – Centre for Learning and Teaching, Leeds Beckett University. (Feb, 2022)

An introduction to Critical Pedagogy, Inaugural Seminar for the 2022 Romero Freire Institute Seminar series, Newman University, Feb 2022

Critical Pedagogy: What is it? (With Alan Smith and Hannah Poklad) Podcast – Centre for Learning and Teaching, Leeds Beckett University. (Dec, 2022)

New Directions in Trade Union Education and Community Relinkage (Keynote), General Federation of Trade Unions Annual Education Conference, Nov 2021.

Hope, Critical Pedagogies and Paulo Freire (Keynote) Commonwealth Secretariat, the Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work (PALYCW), and the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) Youth Work Seminar, Nov 2021.

Creating Spaces for Critical Pedagogy, ‘Questions for Paulo on his 100th Birthday, A Workshop for the Celebration and Diffraction of Freire’s work’ (Keynote). In Defence of Youth Work, Institute for Youth Work and the Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work Joint Seminar, Nov 2021.

Trade Union Education for All and Community Relinkage (Keynote), Trade Union Congress Sept 2021 Fringe Meeting, General Federation of Trade Unions.

Hopeful Pedagogies in Higher Education, (keynote) at ‘Flipping Digital’, Newman University Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Sept 2021

Research and Public Engagement Conference, University of Suffolk, Panel Chair, March 2020.

Equality, Diversity and Social Justice: The Big Conversation, Newman University Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Overall Chair, January 2020.

Trade Union Education: A New Start at Trade Union Congress 2019 General Federation of Trade Unions Fringe meeting, Panel Member, September 2019.

Teaching as Transition, Using non directed tutor groups, (Keynote) at Foundation Year Network Annual conference, University of Sussex, July 2019.

Revisiting Critical Pedagogy, (Opening Keynote) presentations at Critical Pedagogy and Professional Practice in Youth and Community Work Education, Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work annual conference, Bishop Grossette University, Lincoln, July 2019

Reflections on teaching trade union education through critical pedagogy, (Keynote) General Federation of Trade Unions Annual Conference, London, May 2019.

Religious belief, identity and desistance, Criminology Seminar, Panel Chair, Newman University. Jan 2019.

From critical reflective practice to the pedagogical practitioner: becoming a youth worker in late modernity. At ‘Transformative Youth Work International Conference: Developing and Communicating Impact’. Plymouth Marjon University, September 2018

Youth Centric Institutions & Strengthening Social Equality for Youth and Communities - Youth Participation in ‘Public Policy Making (Keynote) at International Conference on Achieving Youth Specific SDGs: Key Challenges and Policy Responses’ Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development Sriperumbudur, India. July 2018

Becoming a Foundation Year/Newman Student: Conscientization to promote democratic engagement, meaningful dialogue and co-operative working at Foundation Year Network Annual Conference: ‘Unity and Diversity in the Foundation Year Experience’, Nottingham University, July 2018.

New Developments in Trade Union Education (Keynote) at General Federation of Trade Unions Annual Union Building Conference, Nov 2017.

General Federation of Trade Unions Youth Festivals: Critical Pedagogy in Action (Keynote) at ‘Critical Theories of Education Today, 4^th International conference on critical education in the 21^st Century’, West Chester University, Philadelphia, USA, Nov 2017.

A Home is not a House: Home Sweet Home, Royal Society of the Arts Seminar, Keynote, London, October 2017.

Co-creating critical pedagogues in higher education at Education and Transformative Practice, the 2^nd International Paulo Freire Conference, Cyprus, UCLAN. Sept 2017

Key concepts in critical education for trade unionists at ‘alternatives to Neo-liberal education at the 7^th International conference on critical education: Athens, Greece, June 2017.

Negotiating tensions between the local, the regional and the national at ‘Strengthening our Institutions through action for the Common Good’, (Keynote) International Community Organising Symposium, Citizens UK and centre for theology and community. London, April 2017.

Critical realisms contribution to critical pedagogy: human nature, agency and praxis revisited at the 3^rd International conference of Critical pedagogy and Philosophy, Liverpool Hope University, June 2016.

Critical pedagogy in action: from paternalism to participation, at Newman University Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Student Engagement and Partnership, Jan 2016

Co-producing the evidence base: peer research; Multiple disadvantage Research Network Seminar, Keynote, Revolving doors Agency and Lankelly Chase: London, Nov 2015

Critical realism and critical pedagogy: at Praxis and Critique: Liberation, Pedagogy, the University 2015 International Herbert Marcuse Society Conference Salisbury University (Maryland, USA) November 1214, 2015

Auto-ethnography and song-writing: creative ways of ‘doing’ reflection at Phd festival, Newman University, 2^nd July 2015

From Critical Reflective Practice to the Pedagogical Practitioner: Becoming a Youth Worker in Late Modernity at Analyze, Educate, Organize. Critical Education for Social and Economic Justice 5^th international conference on critical education, Wroclaw, Poland, June 15^th18^th 2015

From critical reflective practice to the pedagogical practitioner: mapping our conceptual terrain at The 2nd International Conference on Critical Pedagogies and Philosophies of Education, 25th and 26th June 2015, Liverpool Hope University

Why am I gonna tell you my business? Peer research and working with youth violence, at thinking space : youth Violence, ESRC Seminar series, Brunel university, 22^nd May 2015.

From Threshold concepts to Threshold Praxes in Youth and Community Work: Towards a Pedagogical Self at Newman University Learning and Teaching Conference: Supporting Inclusive Learning. Jan 2015.

Threshold praxes in youth and community work. at What’s new in youth work. (Keynote) Centre for Youth Ministry’s annual conference, Selly Oak, Birmingham, dev 2014

Philosophy as everyday practice in youth and community work, at Back to the Beyond: A progressive Pedagogy for Youth and Community work, Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work Annual Conference, July 2014, Newman University.

Say what you mean: Everyday philosophy in youth work practice (Keynote) at Innovation in Youth Work – creative practice in challenging times, YMCA George Williams College, London May 2014.

Understanding street violence amongst youths. How can street-based youth work make a difference? at European conference on Outreach Work April 2014 – Working together to reach and empower marginalized youth Oslo, March 2014.

Housing Vulnerability Contested at ‘Hidden Truths: Understanding Vulnerability in 21^st Century Britain’ Newman University Birmingham, November 2013

Not about us without us: client involvement in Supported Housing Revisited (Keynote) at Tenant Participatory Advisory Service CYMRU Conference, Llandrindod Wells, October 2013

Touch: Responding to Street Violence: Austrian premiere-screening of the documentary on the project, presentation and discussion of the project-findings, Graz, Sept 2013.

Meaningful Engagement with Disabled Students: Two Years on at (Keynote) Social inequalities and cultural differences, Children Families and Young People Research Centre conference, Newman University, Sept 2013.

Queering the Critical: Challenging Heteronormative Discourses in HEI’s (Keynote) at Social inequalities and cultural differences, Children Families and Young People Research Centre conference, Newman University Birmingham, Sept 2013.

Youth Worker Tales: the privileging of relationship at BERA annual conference Brighton Sept 2013 Watford Probation: Peer research Project Final report, Watford Probation Service, Luton, August 2013 Luton Probation: Peer research Project report, Luton Probation Service, Luton, June 2013

Nature of Heteronormativity on Youth and Community Work Courses in HEI institutions, at ‘Were all in it together? Annual conference of the Professional Association of Lecturers in youth and Community Work, Maynouth University Ireland – June 2013

Working with symbolic street violence: Challenges for Practitioners at Street Violence, State Violence, Symbolic Violence: How Does Youth and Community Work Respond? A BERA Youth Studies and Informal Education/TAG event: University of West of Scotland, May 2013

Peer and Participatory research with young People. Professional Open Youth Work Network Inaugural Conference, Vienna, Feb 2013

Symbolic and Structural Violence in young People’s Street lives, Newman university graduate School Seminar series, Jan 2013

Touch: Working with street Violence through Street based youth work, Report Launch and conference, Newman University Birmingham, Jan 2013

Lesson for Detached workers in Working with Street violence, Federation of Detached Workers Annual conference, Prestatyn, November 2012

Engaging with structural and symbolic violence against young people on UK streets, at Growing Up in Britain, collaborative researching with children, Young people and Families in the Age of Austerity’, International research conference and launch of the children, young people and families research centre, Newman University Birmingham, Sept 2012.

Engaging with young people on symbolic violence through detached work. At Criminology in the twentieth century: a necessary balance between freedom and security, 12^th annual conference of the European Society of Criminology, Bilbao, Sept 2012

Lessons for street youth workers around working with violence (Sept 2012) at Criminology in the twentieth century: a necessary balance between freedom and security, 12^th annual conference of the European Society of Criminology, Bilbao

Engaging with young people on violence through detached work at ‘Renewing the tradition: sustaining and sustainable communities through informal education’ The Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work annual conference, July 2012.

Participatory research into street-based youth work interventions on violence: Issues of peer methodology at ‘Youth in Crisis’ Conference, University of the West of Scotland, June 2012

‘Co-production in a New Era: Creating Solutions Together.’ Panel member, Hestia seminar on co-production in social care setting: London, March 2012

Reflections on the value of European work panel member at the Federation of Detached Workers annual conference. Street Work: Maintaining values and developing effective practices in an era of austerity, Stafford, November 2011.

Managing self in Interrupting heteronormativity on youth and community work courses: Queer pedagogy as critical pedagogy British Educational Research Association Sexuality SIG, Manchester Met, October 2011.

Touch Street Violence Project: Methodological issues in participatory research at ‘Future Gazing: where will your research take you’, Crest Symposium, Guild HE: London, September 2011.

Daphne: a case study at ‘Writing successful research Funding bids’ A Centre for Research Excellence Support and Training Seminar, Guild HE, Writtle college, Colchester, June 2011.

Participatory research and Community Philosophy: New approaches to research at Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work annual conference: Framing the Future: Youth and Community work policy in an age of austerity, Brighton University. March 2011.

Critical incidents capturing the learning of two black students, who traverse Higher Education and the HE institution’s learning from that experience (with Jackie Williamson and Verrona Woodley) at “Promoting Inclusive Change: addressing equity and success for BME students in higher education” Greenwich University, Jan 2011.

Constructions of young people leaving home in the UK Youth Policy & Youth Politics in the UK & France Today held in fabParis organized by CREW/CRE research group of the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, Sept 2010.

Urban Control and the Ecology of Fear revisited: a vision of the landscape of Crime and Housing in Birmingham in 2020 ‘Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work annual conference: Visioning the future: Youth and Community work’ in 2020, Durham University, July 2010.

Not About us without us: themes in Client Involvement in Supported Housing Services Client Involvement in Housing Support and Care: Sharing and Learning Good Practice, London: SITRA, March 2010.

Unleashing the power; European perspectives on Client involvement in Homelessness, FEANTSA, European observatory on homelessness: Copenhagen, Denmark: Panel member, November 2009

Are you tuned in: getting Client Views Heard , Homeless Link, London: Panel member, June 2009

The social construction of young people leaving home: interactions between housing policy and economic conditions ‘History of Youth Work Conference, Durham University’, March 2009

Community Organising: The work of Saul Alinsky Seminar on Saul Alinsky: Goldsmiths University, Jan 2009

Lessons on Client Involvement Forfar Council Homelessness Conference: Edinburgh, November 2008

Lessons on client involvement, Crisis Smart Move Conference, Birmingham, June 2008

New approaches to needs assessment ROCC Supported housing Front Line Worker Conference, November 2007.

Psychological approaches to homelessness Planning together, at working together: delivering health and well-being for homeless and insecurely housed people “2nd Health and Homeless conference, Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford, June 2007.

Client perspectives on prevention services East Midlands Homelessness Strategy Conference, January 2007.

User experiences of Homeless services Bradford Supporting People Conference, November 2006

Homeless Young People: How can we address their health care needs? (with Ellie Lewis ) at :”Securing services in an insecure world - the future provision of effective health care for the homelessness” University of Oxford, June 2006

Working with Dual Diagnosis The Tuberculosis Forum, London, March 2006

Change at the Front line: worker perceptions Homeless Link Conference, January 2006

Auditing User Involvement Sitra user involvement housing managers conference, January 2006

Training in the Rent Deposit sector: the future NRDF annual conference, November 2005

Developing peer led research Homeless Link/ Joseph Rowntree research conference, June 2005

Working with the new Dual diagnosis guidelines Homeless Link National Conference, January 2005

User Participation and supporting people National Rent Deposit Forum annual conference, October 2004

Re-defining Lifeskills (2004) Homeless Link Annual Conference, September 2004

Action research and evidence-based practice Care conference, June 2004

Developing Evidence based practice Connexions South East regional conference, September 2003

Interviewing and building motivation Homeless Link annual conference, June 2003

Accessing Mental Health Services National Rent Deposit Scheme annual conference September 2001

Connexions: future visions YMCA National Conference, June 2001

The politics of evaluation Centre for Careers Development Connexions conference, January 2001

Speakouts: democratic renewal and homeless people Crisis Innovation conference September 2000

Homelessness and the law: self-empowerment Groundswell User Conference, July 1999

Motivational interviewing National Resettlement Forum, June 1999

The dilemma of Housing management and effective support NEAP Conference, March 1999

Resettlement work and drugs: new start or double trouble National Resettlement Forum September 1998.

Measuring resettlement work: developing quality standards National Resettlement Forum, September 1997

The normalisation of drug use in youth cultures North West regional youth conference, June 1996

What’s in a name: defining resettlement Housing Management Conference, June 1994.

Professor.Dr Mike Seal

Professor, Researcher, Educator, Author, Youth and Community Worker and Freelancer

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Birmingham, United Kingdon