Paul is a professor of architecture at Northumbria University, his research spans wellbeing, sustainability and placemaking. He has designed award-winning building and international competition entries, as well as authoring books and journal papers on his interest areas. He is the Director of the ‘Homes for the Future’ Innovation centre with MOBIE, established to improve the quality and perceived value of housing in the UK.

Paul contributed to the university’s Research Assessment Framework (2008) and Research Excellence Framework (2014) and will return five design-based output the REF 2021. These include building projects, such as environmental housing schemes, and an innovative respite home for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. He has also submitted urban projects and award winning competition entries that consider ideas related to well-being and sustainability.

Paul's success in competition entries has led to important building commissions and exhibitions. He has had his design work exhibited in prestigious venues around the world, including the Lincoln Centre New York, and the Palazzo Isimbardi in Milan. He has directed his students to numerous awards and commendations, both at Northumbria and at his previous institution.

Paul was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2011 for his contribution to architectural education; this accolade is the most prestigious in Higher Education for teaching. Only 50 out of 180000 academics receive this fellowship each year. As well as being a National Teaching Fellow, Paul is Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA); an academic member of the RIBA Education Committee; a Chair of RIBA Visiting Boards; a member of SCHOSA (Standing Council of Heads of Schools of Architecture); and a Reviewer for the HEA. He is also an experienced external examiner having examined at Queens, Kingston, Portsmouth, Reading, and Leicester.