My research is underpinned by detailed field-based studies that aim to understand the processes behind folding and fracturing of rocks and sediments at a range of depths, including seismic-triggered deformation of unlithified sediments, salt tectonics in sedimentary basins, and deformation in mid crustal shear zones. This has been achieved across a huge breadth of scales that includes regional (1:100,000) maps as well as detailed cm-scale observation and data collection. I have been employed on contracts to map a number of BGS sheets, as well as contributing to maps for the Irish Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Greenland. My studies have incorporated substantial periods of fieldwork in the UK and Ireland, Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America, Central America, South America, Africa and the Arctic. 

In 2025, I was appointed as an Honorary Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of St Andrews, after earlier being employed as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Reader (1996-2008).

In 2024, I was appointed as an Emeritus Professor of Geology at the University of Aberdeen, after previously being a Reader and Professor in the School of Geosciences (2009-2024),

In 2021, I was appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Structural Geology, after previously being an advisory board member and editor for the journal. 

I am committed to furthering the importance of fieldwork in Earth Science education and have encouraged and trained generations of undergraduate and post-graduate students in the field. At St. Andrews, I am involved in assisting with a range of student fieldtrips from 1^st year (ES1002) through to 3^rd year (ES3006) and beyond (ES4801). I have in the past established and led disability-friendly student field courses across a variety of localities in Scotland and am also passionate about the preservation of important geological sites.

Salt tectonics and resource exploration.

Folding and fracturing and resource exploration

Shear zones and mineral exploration.