His research interests include cultural conceptions of giftedness and models of achievement. He has been awarded a number of research grants, resulting in research publications in many international peer reviewed journals, including High Ability Studies and Educational Psychology. His books include Phillipson, S. N. (2007). Learning diversity in the Chinese classroom: Contexts and practice for students with special needs. Hong Kong: The Hong Kong University Press, and Phillipson, S. N., & McCann, M. (2007). Conceptions of giftedness: Socio' cultural perspectives. Marwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates