Michael O'Flanagan was awarded a Ph.D. in Law by the National University of Ireland Galway for his doctoral research on the topic "Taking and Publishing Photographs: The Legal Rights and Restrictions".

His research work was funded by the University's School of Law's R.D.J. Glynn Doctoral Research Fellowship. Prior to undertaking his Ph.D., he graduated from the University of Limerick with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.), a Bachelor of Business Studies (specialising in Marketing Management) and a Diploma in Business Studies (specialising in Personnel Management). He was also awarded a Graduateship of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. A Licentiate of the Irish Professional Photographers' & Videographers' Association and a freelance photographer member of the National Union of Journalists, to-date he has won 71 awards (5 Gold, 45 Silver and 21 Bronze Awards) for his photographic work at the Irish Professional Photographers' & Videographers' Association's Annual Photographer of the Year Awards. The creation and implementation of national and international advertising, promotional and public relations campaigns featuring high quality photographs has formed an integral element of his marketing management experience over the past four decades.