Research

My research interests are in the biology of the molluscan class Polyplacophora (chitons) and in the impact of pollutants on populations and comunities of aquatic organisms, particularly marine and estuarine species. I am also very interested in pedagogical research and I am Editor-in-Chief of the LTSN Centre for Bioscience electronic journal BEEj (Biological Education Electronic journal) which is focussed on educational reseach in biological teaching at tertiary level.

Teaching

I teach in both Biology and Environmental Science and I am leader of two first year modules in Evolution and Biodiversity, and Environmental Biology. I also lead third year modules on Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology, and from 2004 onwards, a new module on Comparative Zoology. My main areas of teaching are Zoology and Aquatic Biology, particularly biological oceanography and invertebrate biology. I am the author/co-author of several very successful textbooks on Practical Skills and on Environmental Biology that have also been translated into foreign languages.