Michael is an Associate Professor in International Relations at La Trobe University. His teaching focuses on Australian Foreign Policy, International Public Policy, Pacific Regionalism, Human Security and Development. He has also taught through the International Network of Universities at the Hiroshima University and the Centre for International and Regional Affairs at the University of Fiji.

Michael’s research interests focus on Australian foreign policy, and Pacific foreign policies (especially Fiji). His current projects focus on Australia’s ‘Step Up’ in the Pacific, Fiji’s peacekeeping strategy and military diplomacy. He undertakes a wide range of consultancies in the Pacific. His latest book is Australian Foreign Policy: Relationships, Issues and Strategic Culture, Bloomsbury, London, 2023. His latest report is: Australian Defence Force International Engagement and Re-engagement with Fiji, Australian Army Research Centre, Occasional Paper 18, Canberra, December 2023. 

Michael features in media such as the ABC's 7.30 Report, ABC Insiders, ABC 774, CNN, Radio National, 3CR, ABC.net, New Matilda, etc. Michael's commentary has also appeared in outlets such as The Age, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, Islands Business, Fiji Sun and Fiji Times.