Michelle is a Lecturer in Industrial Relations in the Department of Personnel and Employment Relations. She graduated from University of Limerick with a BA (Public Administration) and a PhD. She also holds a Diploma in Employment Law from the Law Society of Ireland. 

Her main research interests are in the areas of trade union membership and recognition, increasing legalisation of the employment relationship and trade union responses, the role of state dispute resolution bodies, migrant workers and careers in the health service. Michelle previously worked as a trade union official with the Irish Medical Organisation, representing junior doctors.