The theme which runs throughout all Malcolm's work, both practical and theoretical, is the relationship between discourse & communication, and professional & institutional cultures. Malcolm's current research interests lie in two areas: intercultural communication, particularly intercultural ethics and literature; and discourse studies, particularly the discourse of security and medical discourse. He has published extensively in journals such as 'Discourse and Society', 'Critical Discourse Studies', 'Educational Philosophy and Theory' and 'Pedagogy, Society and Culture'. Malcolm's book with Duncan Hunter entitled 'The Discourse of Security: Language, Illiberalism and Governmentality' was published with Palgrave MacMillan in 2019. Malcolm presents his research regularly at peer-reviewed international conferences such as the International Association of Language and Intercultural Communication (IALIC), Critical Discourse Analysis Across Disciplines (CADAAD), Educational Philosophy and Theory (EPAT), and the Academic Council on the United Nations (ACUNS). Malcolm is also a founding member and committee member of the International Association of Language and Intercultural Communication (IALIC), and is currently Editor (since 2010) of the SCI-listed journal 'Language and Intercultural Communication' (LAIC) published by Taylor and Francis. While at Warwick, he was on the Steering Committee, then the Leadership Group, of 'Global Research Priorities for Global Governance', during which time he worked with colleagues in Applied Linguistics and PAIS on developing a project on 'Crisis Leadership in Global Governance' (CLiGG). Previously, Malcolm also published extensively on English Language Teaching and language education.

Malcolm is currently working as a researcher, editor and postgraduate supervisor based at the University of Warwick. Malcolm has been engaged in language education and applied linguistics for over 30 years. Malcolm holds a BA in English Language and Literature (Durham), a Masters in Education (Bristol) and a PhD in Applied Linguistics (Warwick). Malcolm started teaching Communications at the National Youth Service (Rep. Seychelles), the University of Kuwait, Nanyang Technological University (Rep. Singapore); and ELT Methodology at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia MARA (Shah Alam). Malcolm then taught Applied Linguistics for almost ten years at CELT, University of Stirling where he latterly directed the MSc TESOL. He then spent a year lecturing on the MLitt TESOL at the University of St Andrews. Before coming to Warwick, Malcolm taught on the MEd and EdD TESOL programmes at the Graduate School of Education, Exeter, where he was latterly appointed Director of the EdD. Malcolm has been working in Applied Linguistics at Warwick since 2010, where he was Course Manager of the MSc ICBP (2012-2016). Malcolm has also acted as External Examiner for: undergraduate programmes at the Universities of Oxford Brookes and Leeds; and postgraduate programmes at the Universities of Dundee, Edinburgh Napier, Oxford Brookes, Hull and Leeds. Malcolm laid the foundations for his career in education and research through hands-on professional experience in a small business and community organisations: first, as a partner working for 5 years in a co-operative automotive engineering SME in the multicultural St Pauls area of Bristol, UK; and then for two years as manager of a Youth Training Scheme which constructed and provided facilities for play and therapy around Bristol's parks and special needs institutions. Malcolm also plays saxophone and electric guitar in the CAL Staff Band. He has performed in 35 rock and jazz bands to audiences on four continents.