My research is informed by relational and historical approaches to sociology. This work involves long-term perspectives in sociological theory and problems of nation, state, culture and society. Recently published is The Roots of Sociology: Scottish Enlightenment and the Civilising Process (Routledge, 2026). Emerging from the book, two interrelated studies are planned, one on the process sociology of symbolic revolutions and social transformation and another on the sociogenesis of sociology. I've also begun work on a related study Undertanding Relational Sociology (Edward Elgar, 2028). Other recent work concerns the sociology of art for a collection that I co-edited with Stephen Mennell, The Anthem Companion to Norbert Elias (Anthem, 2023) and the relational sociology of art critics (The Sociological Review, 2024).

My work draws upon relational and processual sociology, principally inspired by Pierre Bourdieu and Norbert Elias. Relational sociology informs substantive investigations of symbolic revolutions in society, knowledge and culture.