Emeritus Professor at the UK’s University of Leicester and Founding Director of that University’s Space Research Centre, Alan has worked on ten space missions in space astrophysics, planetary science and earth observation. Highlights included NASA's SWIFT mission to observe gamma ray bursts, for which he was U.K. Lead Investigator for the X-ray Telescope and also Co-Science Operations Director post launch. He has participated in and chaired numerous critical project reviews for space science and exploration missions. His long career has involved close collaboration with international space agencies, serving on numerous committees and boards, as well as extensive teaching and research. He has received three achievement awards from NASA, two from ESA and the 2013 Sir Arthur C. Clarke Lifetime Achievement Award for services to space.