He successively taught in the Government Department of Manchester University between 1978 and 1990. From 1991 till his death he was professor of political science and African politics at the University of Rochester, and since 1995 also acting director of the university's Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies.
He had a series of academic appointments in the Government Department of Manchester University between 1978 and 1990. Later, he was a professor of political science and African politics at the University of Rochester from 1991 until his death, and also held a leadership position as acting director of the university's Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies since 1995.