Michael is a committed disability activist and adheres to the social and human rights models of disability. In addition to advanced educational qualifications including a PhD in Politics from Dublin City University as well as an MSc in Economic Policy Analysis and a BA in Economics, he also possesses post graduate certificates in financial risk analysis and data analytics.
As an avid defender of the rights of disabled people, he has participated in several initiatives and organisations including the South Dublin County Council Disability Advisory Panel, the Independent Living Movement of Ireland, and the South Dublin Disability Platform. It is his wish that disability policy and practice in Ireland factors in the issues of intersectionality as much as possible.