Dr. Gavin Sullivan embarked on his academic journey by delving into Wittgenstein and Reflexivity in New Zealand for his thesis. Later, he made a professional move to Australia, where he worked at the University of Western Sydney, the University of Sydney, and eventually Monash University in Melbourne. While his initial academic interests revolved around theoretical psychology, they rapidly expanded to encompass the utilization of various qualitative research methods. Dr. Sullivan also gained practical experience by engaging in short-term and long-term psychotherapy in clinical, forensic, and private-practice contexts.

His career took an exciting turn when he was honored with the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship. This recognition led him to spend several years in Berlin, where he collaborated with colleagues at the Free University (FU) Berlin. During this period, his research focused on individual, group-based, and collective emotions. He also developed a keen interest in community-oriented and social perspectives on coping and recovery after disasters. Additionally, he explored the dynamics of emotions within crowds, such as those attending public viewings of football games, and the manifestations of collective pride and hubris in various groups.

Dr. Sullivan continued to delve into these areas of interest using theoretical, critical, and qualitative approaches after relocating to the United Kingdom in 2010. His move followed a stint as a guest professor with the Languages of Emotion research cluster at the FU. Over the course of four years, he contributed to several psychology departments in the UK before joining the Centre for Research in Psychology, Behaviour, and Achievement at Coventry University. In this role, he led a research group dedicated to the exploration of Identity and Resilience in Communities and Organizations, holding the position of Reader. In 2017, after a restructuring of the research centers, he transitioned to the Centre for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations at Coventry University.