He holds a PhD in Language Studies and is an active researcher in language, learning and teaching. As well as publishing work in international journals, he is the editor of three books: Learner Autonomy Across Cultures (with Richard C. Smith), Learning and Teaching Across Cultures in Higher Education (with Dawn L. McBride) and Academic Biliteracies (with Christa van der Walt). He also teaches, supervises research and assesses work in postgraduate study and educational development.