Published more than 110 scientific papers, led international research programmes, edited international journals and is vice-president of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), chair of the Royal Society/Te Apārangi Committee on Antarctic Sciences, and a trustee of the Sir Peter Blake Trust.
Areas of study include geomorphology, climate science, ice sheets and the ocean floor.
Has held academic positions at the University of Oxford and University of Otago, where he is Honorary Professor of Marine Science.