Dr Tim Le Bas studied at Durham University reading Geology and Geophysics and immediately on graduating in 1986 started work at the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences. This Institute relocated and changed its name, to eventually become the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. During this period he did a part-time Ph.D (over 5 years) on data processing and analysis of seafloor mapping systems. He has participated in over 40 mapping cruises and has led several of these expeditions. He now works with Geographic Information Systems using multibeam bathymetry and backscatter, as well as sidescan sonar in both shallow water and the deep ocean. His subject areas include mid-ocean ridges, hydrothermal vents, geohazards and habitat mapping. Dr Le Bas has published more than 50 papers, book sections and reports, and contributed to many international conferences, as presenter, chairman, keynote speaker and organiser.