James Avis left school at the age of 16 and, after working in retailing for a number of years, studied for a degree in Management Science at the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology. This was followed by an MA in Sociology and a PGCE(FE). He later taught Sociology in a College of Further Education during which time he studies for a PhD at the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies at Birmingham University. From FE he moved to Oxford Brookes University where he was course leader for Educational Studies. He then moved to the University of Wolverhampton where he was Professor of Education Studies. Currently he is Professor of Post-Compulsory Education and Training at the University of Huddersfield.

His research interests lie in post-compulsory education and life-long learning. He has written extensively on the policy contextualisation of further education, having addressed curriculum issues, methodological questions, teacher professionalism, as well as the lived experience of teachers and learners. He has a keen interest in the political economy of this sector and its policy contextualisation. Recent books include Issues in Post-Compulsory Education and Training, Education, Policy and Social Justice: Learning and Skills, Teaching in Lifelong Learning: a guide to theory and practice, Social Justice, Transformation and Knowledge: policy. workplace learning and skills. Current writing addresses localism, governance and community in relation to education and the state. He is also exploring issues surrounding workplace learning and cognitive capitalism.

• Post-compulsory education – the re-engineering of education, the political economy of education, lived experience of learners and teachers, the re-visioning of professionalism.
• Education, politics and questions of social justice.
• Workplace learning, cognitive capitalism and emancipatory practice.