His research interests are in efficient computational methods for the calculation of thermal radiative heat transfer.

[2] The Centre later developed under the National HE STEM Programme into the sigma Network for Excellence in Mathematics and Statistics Support.

Lawson was professor and associate dean of the faculty of science and engineering at Coventry University (2002–13), director of the Maths, Stats & OR Network of the Higher Education Academy (2005-9), and chair of the executive group of the More Maths Grads project (2008–10).

From 2013-18, Lawson was pro-vice-chancellor of formative education at Newman University in Birmingham, before returning to Coventry.

[4][7] Lawson was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to mathematics in higher education.