Russell holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Essex (2013) and a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Essex, also. A graduate member of the British Psychological Society, Russell is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at the University of Stirling. His doctoral research focuses on English Medium of Instruction (EMI) in joint educational institutes in China.
In addition to their research, Russell is a lecturer at the University of Dundee, where they teach EAP and ESAP as part of the university's joint educational institute, fostering language proficiency and academic skills in an international context.