Judy Foster-Smith graduated in Zoology at Newcastle University in 1975. She subsequently gained a PhD in Zoology (Newcastle University) and Diploma in Environmental Management (Durham University). She has museum experience with responsibility for marine invertebrate collections. She has more than 18 years’ experience of lecturing in invertebrate zoology, marine ecology, coastal management and the tropical environment. Her research and teaching activities have involved travel to a range of countries including Tanzania, Ghana, Indonesia, Australia and the Caribbean. She has considerable experience in coastal management survey work and contributes advice for protected area sites in northeast England. Judy also has extensive experience of working with the public, has developed and managed marine biodiversity and conservation awareness-raising projects, and edited and produced ID guides and review reports for UK government on benthic marine ecosystems.