Carl grew up in Manchester inspired by the creativity and energy of the University. His early career in teaching and local government raised many questions which he sought to answer by returning to the University where he completed his PhD and continued his research career investigating the intersection between poverty, mental health and education. He now trains social justice poverty researchers to better understand local poverty, banish myths and stereotypes, and bring this knowledge back to the schools.

“Things like asking what they did in the holidays can make some children feel really uncomfortable, so it's about asking different questions that enable children to talk about their experiences, we want to give them a space to tell their stories. My research and teaching are driven by a desire to empower and enable disadvantaged communities to shape, reimagine, and deliver impactful and equity-driven education at the local level.”