I received my BA in Natural Sciences and Economics from the University of Cambridge in 1964, and a ScD for publications on pasture insects in 2001.  My MSc was awarded in 1968 and my PhD in 1974 at the University of New England. I joined CSIRO Entomology at Armidale in NSW in 1964 and at Perth in WA from 1977-2006.  I was Vice-President of the Australian Entomological Society from 1998-1992 and President from 2002-2004. At the International Congress of Entomology (ICE) in Australia in 2004 I was elected to the Council of ICE and to the Executive as Secretary General of Council from 2008-2016.  From 2012-2015 I was a Visiting Professor at Northwest Agricultural University in China.

I was elected to the Academy of Technological Sciences (FTSE) in 2002 and an Honorary Life Member of ICE in 2016.

My research has been on feeding, reproductive behaviour and ecology of insects and mites.  I have co-edited books on insect reproduction, on ecology and evolution of dung beetles, and on the 100 year history of ICE. Currently I am involved in placing some of my legacy data into database programs involving control of redlegged earth mite (pests) and dung beetles (ecosystem services) to improve outcomes in Australia.