He is professor at SOAS University of London. His work has been based on substantial archival research over very extended periods in England and Scotland, Japan, Australasia, Taiwan, US, and India, as well as shorter research trips Asia and Europe. Writing has resulted in well over 100 journal and chapter publications, 13 books, over 300 book reviews and notices, editorship of the journal History of Technology since 2001 and a deal of academic journalism.