John's primary research interests are on poverty (with a particular interest in children) and children’s play and has published for academics and practitioners. He is particularly keen that his work is of use to practitioners and campaigners beyond the academy who seek to tackle poverty in Scotland, the UK and the EU. Last year he co-edited Poverty in Scotland 2016 (CPAG, 2016) and this year published several works on GCU’s Caledonian Club. Together with Professor Stephen Sinclair, he co-directs the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU). John writes a research column for the Scottish Anti-Poverty Review and has been on Play Scotland’s Board of Directors since 1997.