Shailen works as an Assistant Professor (Education) in Public Policy and Management with the Institute of Local Government (INLOGOV), University of Birmingham, where he is also Director of the MSc in Public Management. He is also reading for a DPhil in Education at the University of Oxford where he is a Senior Hulme Scholar at Brasenose College.
Previously, Shailen worked for many years in children and young people and school support services for local authorities and also founded his own non-profit social enterprise that delivered non-formal education, sporting and social activities.
He graduated from the University of Warwick with an MA Distinction in Educational Innovation.
In 2022, he was awarded the accolade of the University of Birmingham ‘Teacher of the Year’ after being recognised by his peers for transforming the learning experience for students through his educational innovations.