Tom studied Evolutionary Biology under Professor Frances Gilbert at Nottingham University, and postgraduate in Outdoor Education with Professor Peter Higgins at Edinburgh University.

Before moving to North Yorkshire in 2007, Tom has carried out research and taught outdoor environmental education in a diverse places;

Researching conservation and organic farming in Southern France funded by the Peter Kirk EU Scholarship Fund;

Researching the solitary bee Anthophora plumipes foraging behaviour in Portugal;

Teaching academic fieldwork in the Cevennes National Park;

Guiding mountaineering in the Arrochar Alps, and canoeing and sailing on Loch Goil for the Scouts Association;

Internship in sustainable living and organic farming at Wheems Farm, Orkney.