Dr Keith R Hallam obtained a 1st class honours degree in chemistry from the University of Bath in 1986. His PhD, completed in 1990, was undertaken through the Council for National Academic Awards as a period of research within the Spectroscopy Section at the then Central Electricity Generating Board’s Berkeley Nuclear Laboratories. He started post-doctoral studies at the Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol in 1990, investigating the surface compositions of pulverised fuel ash, and is now a Commercial Manager within this University of Bristol research centre. Dr Hallam has published >100 refereed journal articles and co-authored >50 conference presentations/posters covering the development and application of surface and bulk analysis to investigations of material surface compositions and chemistries embracing metals and minerals, catalysts, stonework and cements for energy and the environment. He is Treasurer of the United Kingdom Surface Analysis Forum and has previously been Honorary Secretary of the Royal Microscopical Society Materials Section.