Birley considered the history and future impact of Britain's increasing involvement with Europe. He subsequently became a visiting Professor of education at Witwatersrand University, South Africa from 1964 to 1967. In 1967 he was appointed Professor and Head of Department of Social Science and Humanities at City University a post he held until 1971.[5] He wrote and lectured extensively on education, apartheid and human rights issues and the Robert Birley memorial lectures are a tribute to his contributions.