Robert joined the board of Engage with Age in 2018.  He has been a social work lecturer since September 2014 and in a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Manchester Metropolitan university.  His primary research interests focus upon gerontological social work.  Prior to becoming an academic, he worked in social work services for almost 15 years, working in children services.  He led a community-based drugs programme and has also worked in social housing and homelessness and for the Citizens Advice Bureau. 

He has extensive volunteer experience as a youth worker and has been a phone advisor for Childline.  Experienced in working with community organisations that provide services for older people, Robert is currently a member of the British Society of Gerontology, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.