Nick’s research is grounded in the discipline of education, applied in diverse contexts including schools, families and health services. He teaches in postgraduate coursework Masters of Education (Learning & Leadership), as well as contributing to research education and researcher development across UTS. Nick is an active mentor of early and mid career colleagues, and is on the Executive of the International Society for Cultural-historical Activity Research (ISCAR). He co-edits Studies in Continuing Education, and is on the editorial board for Mind, Culture & Activity, and the African Journal of Education Studies.

Nick was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine from the University of Linköping (Sweden) in 2019, and appointed as Extraordinary Professor at the University of Stellenbosch since 2016.