Mike is an Associate Professor of Volcanology at the University of Birmingham and co-founder of Global Volcano Risk Alliance. Outside of academia, he has gained experience of charity, campaigning and policy work. He has been continuously involved in various charities throughout his adult life in a volunteer capacity, including leading fundraising activities, and serving on the committee for Southampton's Children's Hospital charity. He has also written and edited policy reports on science and research funding. He co-led a successful campaign to abolish PhD application fees whilst at Oxford University, which was subsequently adopted at other universities.