After graduating with first class honours in Soil Science
at Newcastle University, I was an advisor at the North of Scotland College
of Agriculture (SAC) and completed my PhD at Aberdeen University before returning
to Newcastle. Much of my teaching now concerns soil management, the topic
of my PhD and my subsequent research. Having been closely involved with analysis
of experimental results while in Aberdeen I completed a statistics degree
at the Open University and also lecture in this area. For many years I have
been interested in sustainable use of land and have for 20 years managed the
Palace Leas meadow hay plots, the world's oldest grazed grassland experiment,
and also have become involved in research in the developing world and past
land use. I was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
in 1978. Although I work on several large archaeological projects I also take
part in Precision Farming research, as this permits more efficient use of
land and resources. Farmers over most of history have had no access to agrochemicals,
so it is natural that I have a strong interest in organic farming. I am degree
option tutor for the Rural Resource Management degree and am active in research
on hay meadow diversity.