Research interests

Michael's primary focus is social security (welfare benefits), using approaches that are solutions focused, participatory and based on consensus building. His core work is:

• The Commission on Social Security led by Experts by ExperienceLink opens in a new window

Selected publications

• Orton, M. and Sarkar, S. (2022) 'Covid-19 and (mis)understanding public attitudes to social security: re-setting debate' Critical Social Policy. https://t.co/InMiDB0L1XLink opens in a new window

• Morris, R., Morrison, E., Orton, M. and Summers, K. (2022) 'The Commission on Social Security and participatory research during the pandemic: new context, abiding challenges' in K. Garthwaite, R. Patrick, M. Power, A. Tarrant, and R. Warnock (eds.) Covid-19 Collaborations: Researching poverty and low-income family life during the pandemic Bristol: Policy Press.

• Orton, M., Summers, K. and Morris, R. (2022) 'Guiding principles for social security policy: outcomes from a bottom-up approach' Social Policy & Administration 56(3): 485-501. http://doi.org/10.1111/spol.12782Link opens in a new window
• Morris, R., Orton, M. and Summers, K. (2020) 'Social security responses to Covid19: the case for £50 Child BenefitLink opens in a new window' Discover Society 15 April.
• Orton, M. (2019) 'Challenges for anti-poverty action: developing approaches that are solutions focused, participative and collaborative' Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 27(1): 131-136.
• Batty, S. and Orton, M. (2018) ‘An agenda for fixing the social security/welfare benefits system’ Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 26(2): 291-295. https://doi.org/10.1332/175982718X15244988914331Link opens in a new window. (Most read article in the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 2018)
• Orton, M. and Somra, G. (2018) 'Locally grounded principles for a Good Society' Local Economy 33(6): 601-614. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094218801572Link opens in a new window.
• Orton, M. (2017) ‘Policy steps towards a better social future’ in R. Atkinson, L. McKenzie and S. Winlow (eds.) Building Better Societies: Promoting Social Justice in a World Falling ApartLink opens in a new window pp155-164 Bristol: Policy Press.
• Orton, M. (2016) Secure & Free: 5+ solutions to socio-economic insecurityLink opens in a new window London: Compass.

Academic profile

Michael joined IER in 2002. Prior to that he worked for over 15 years in the voluntary sector and local government. This included Citizens Advice Bureau (from being a volunteer through to Bureau Manager), an anti-poverty policy role in a local authority Finance Department, and being an Investigator for the Local Government Ombudsman - with the latter including a year working for the New South Wales Ombudsman, Sydney.

While Michael's current work focuses on social security, other research areas have included active labour market policy, personal debt, taxation/fiscal welfare, public attitudes to economic inequality and Sen's Capabilities Approach.

Michael's work has been published widely in journal articles, research reports and book chapters. He has appeared as an expert witness before a Parliamentary Committee Inquiry, and his work has featured in Parliamentary Questions and attracted a variety of media coverage.

All publicationsLink opens in a new window

All projects