Mike Neary was Professor of Sociology and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Lincoln, where he also served as Dean of Teaching and Learning and Director of the Centre for Educational Research and Development. He was a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

His work at Lincoln centred on two major projects: Learning Landscapes, which argued for a greater academic role in the design and governance of university estate, and Student as Producer, an institutional strategy to embed research-engaged teaching across all teaching and learning. Both were grounded in a commitment to the democratisation of higher education.

He went on to co-found the Social Science Centre, Lincoln, an independent co-operative for higher education democratically owned and run by its members, and played a leading role in efforts to establish a federated co-operative university through the Co-operative College, Manchester. He published extensively on higher education policy, critical pedagogy and academic labour, with his final book, Student as Producer: How Do Revolutionary Teachers Teach?, consolidating over a decade of theorising and practice in this area. His intellectual work drew on critical political economy and value-form theory, alongside influences ranging from Moishe Postone's interpretation of Marx to avant-garde art movements including Brecht, Dada and Vorticism.

Biographical details correct as of 15.09.26