He is the Director of the Specialist MSc (Trauma) in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Queen’s University and is recognised worldwide as an expert on the psychological impact of trauma, regularly being invited to provide keynote addresses at international conferences. He led the work and research of the Trauma Team after the Omagh bombing in 1998 and facilitated studies into the psychological effects on staff providing health care in the immediate aftermath of the bombing. He is also a member of the recently formed UK Trauma Council. At present Michael is researching key cognitive themes linked to complex grief, a condition that more patients will be expected to present with at mental health clinics as a consequence of bereavement by Covid-19.