Ongoing examination of the Late Ordovician to early Silurian succession in Wales focusing on aspects of its sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy and palaeontology, and including collaborative studies with researchers from Leicester, Ghent, St Francis Xavier and Iowa universities, the National Museum of Wales and BGS of the Llandovery Stage international type section and the stage stratotypes it hosts, isotopic analysis and dating, and the examination of a candidate alternative Aeronian Stratotype in the Rheidol Gorge, mid Wales.

Joint studies with staff at Chester University documenting Late Ordovician trace fossil assemblages, their styles of preservation in Wales and need for geoconservation.

Stratigraphy and sedimentology of cyclical Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian) carbonate and associated siliciclastic facies in North Wales including the study of regionally important microfossil assemblages and marker beds.

Continuing research with departmental colleagues on the LatePleistocene deglaciation of Wales including cosmogenic dating and the study of glaciolacustrine sediments.

Following PhD at Keel University joined the British Geological Survey (BGS) in 1978 and subsequently undertook scientific, surveying and applied geological studies principally in Wales.

Moved from the former BGS Leeds Office to the newly opened Aberystwyth Office in 1981. Following the office closure in 1994 appointed BGS Regional Geologist for Wales based at Aberystwyth University (Institute of Geography & Earth Studies). Represented BGS on both the South and North Wales Regional Aggregate Working Parties and on WAG Technical Advice Group on Development and Flood Risk, as well the steering group for the WAG-funded 'Establishing a methodology for appraising aggregate demand and supply' study (EMAADS). Secretary to the Project Advisory Group for the WAG-funded Applied Geological Mapping Programme in mid Wales and to the BGS Wales Regional Advisory Panel.

Professional links established with IGES staff during this period promoted a series of productive joint BGS-IGES scientific and applied research investigations of Welsh glacial and fluvial deposits and landforms. Transferred to BGS Headquarters in 2003.

In December 2008, appointed Chief Geologist Wales and Head of Station for the BGS Cardiff Office. In these roles, responsible for identifying and delivering research opportunities for BGS in Wales; for growing the links between BGS and its Welsh stakeholder community, including the Welsh Assembly Government and Welsh NGOs; and developing collaborative initiatives with the HE sector in Wales. Appointed Honorary Professor of IGES in 2009 before retiring from BGS in 2010. Awarded MBE for services to science in 2011. Employed as part-time lecturer at DGES since 2012 teaching a 3rd year module on Welsh Mineral Resources.

Supervised PhDs:

The sedimentology of a confined turbidite system in the early Silurian Welsh Basin (1989-1992, Cambridge University & BGS)

Sedimentology and facies architecture of the early-Silurian slope-apron turbidite systems of the Welsh Basin (1995 -1999, Cambridge University & BGS)

Sedimentology of late Quaternary glaciogenic deposits on the eastern margin of the Irish Sea basin (2000-2004, Aberystwyth University & BGS)

Analysis of biosphere and geosphere dynamics during end Ordovician climate change (2005 -2008, Durham University & BGS)

Characterisation of sediments and palaeo-oceanography using graptolites - exploring new concepts in the Welsh Basin and Scotland (2005- 2009, Leicester University & BGS)

Late Quaternary palaeoglaciology of the Welsh Ice Cap (2011-2014, Aberystwyth University & BGS)