Tom Connors wrote informed editorials on a varietyof subjects for the Canberra Times for 10 years; graduated in Economics, Sydney University; obtained Masters in Agricultural Economics, University of New England; and doctorate while in his sixties.

His doctoral thesis on the National Farmers' Federation, "To speak with one voice: the quest by Australian farmers for federal unity" was published by that organisation in 1996. His master's thesis was on the Australian wheat industry.