Michael Preston-Shoot is professor (Emeritus) of Social Work at the University of Bedfordshire, England. He is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He held various social work academic positions between 1988 and 2016 and also was editor of several social work journals.

His publications, research and training have concentrated on law and social work practice, and on adult safeguarding. He completed with Suzy Braye and David Orr major studies for the Department of Health on governance of adult safeguarding and on effective practice with adults who self-neglect. He has authored safeguarding adult reviews, has researched reviews of self-neglect cases and has completed thematic reviews of safeguarding adult reviews commissioned by Safeguarding Adults Boards in London and in South West England since implementation of the Care Act 2014. He has been engaged in sector-led improvement projects on adult safeguarding and homelessness, on adult safeguarding and alcohol abuse, and on making safeguarding personal for commissioners and providers of health and social care. With Suzy Braye and Research in Practice he has completed the first national thematic analysis of safeguarding adult reviews published in 17/18 and 18/19. This has been published by the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.

Michael is currently Independent chair of Lewisham and of Brent Safeguarding Adults Boards. He has been convenor of the London Regional Network of Safeguarding Adult Board Chairs. He is currently joint convenor of the national network of SAB chairs.