Mike McCool began his career at Ulster University in 1990 as a Research Assistant on the Ulysses Project at the Magee campus, following the completion of his first degree at the age of 31. He went on to serve as a Computer Officer within the Faculty of Engineering and was seconded to the Interactive Systems Centre (ISC) from 1993 to 1997, where he worked as a Research Officer and ICT Manager on the TALENT Project.

In 1997, Mike was seconded to INCORE/ARK, where he played a key technical role for a decade before transitioning into a permanent position as ICT Manager in 2007. Over the years, he has contributed to a wide range of research and public engagement initiatives, particularly in the areas of conflict, politics, and social policy.

Mike brings extensive technical expertise to his role, with experience spanning system administration (Unix), database administration, website development, graphic and multimedia design, audio/visual production, systems programming, and technical support. He has also contributed to various academic and public-facing publications.

Currently, he is actively involved in several high-profile projects, including ACCOUNTS of the CONFLICT, INCORE, ARK, and CAIN, where his broad skill set supports both the development and delivery of innovative digital resources and platforms.