Steve’s connection with dentistry began when he was granted a worldwide patent for an “Anti Caries Preparation”. This was a by-product of his early research into the mechanisms by which bacteria interact with surfaces. Subsequently, he accepted a position as MRC senior research assistant in the Department of Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool and in 1982 as Lecturer, and later Senior Lecturer, in Oral Physiology in Newcastle University’s Dental School where he continued his research into biophysical and biochemical systems contributing to dental plaque formation. He has published over 50 articles and book chapters and given presentations at a large number of national and international scientific meetings.

During the later years of his career, he took an increasing interest in teaching and was foremost in developing IT as a teaching aid. With the advent of more powerful desktop computers and the World Wide Web he was in a position to bring video into the realm of teaching at the grassroots level and was granted funds by Newcastle University to showcase what was possible throughout the University.

Latterly, Steve took on a University-wide role, mentoring newly-appointed teaching staff, implementing the roll-out of Blackboard as a Virtual Learning Environment and creating more relevant and novel forms of assessment referencing Course Blueprinting. In recognition of his innovative contributions to teaching and assessment, Steve was awarded a Fellowship in the Higher Education Academy.

Steve retired from academic life in 2013