Ruth L. Richards Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, USA, University of California, San Francisco, USA, Nottingham Trent University, UK, London South Bank University, UK

Ruth Richards gained the following qualifications: BSc (Hons.) Geology, University of Hull, Class 2.1 MSc Industrial Mineralogy, University of Leicester PhD Palaeontology, University of Leicester PGCE (Secondary) Qualification, University of Leicester. She then had several years teaching in two secondary schools (14–18) eventually becoming the Director of Science at John Cleveland College in Hinckley, with responsibility for the specialist college status. She joined Nottingham Trent University in 2009 as a Senior Lecturer.