Jonathan is Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at Aston University. Since coming to Aston Jonathan has served as Associate Dean for Research and is currently Deputy Dean for the School of Languages and Social Sciences. 

Before joining Aston (in October 2014) he was a Professorial Fellow in the Institute of Government and Public Management in Warwick Business School and led the University of Warwick MPA. Jonathan’s main research interests relate to public participation and lay experience in policy making and service development particularly in relation to health and environmental policy. He currently works with colleagues in Norway, Sweden and Finland. 

Jonathan established and led the National NHS Centre for Involvement from 2006-2009. He supported the development of Public Health England’s public involvement strategy, and chaired the Public Health England Equality Forum. Jonathan is a Docent at the Department of Sociology at the University of Helsinki and a Visiting Professor at the Finnish Environment Institute. 

Jonathan has more than 90 publications including three co-authored books and has received funding from the ESRC, Finnish Academy and a range of other public sources.  He is involved in a range of international and national research and development work that focuses particularly on the evidence base on the impact of patient and public involvement.