Colin's research is focused on creating fundamental relationships between material properties, process conditions and product performance in powder-based manufacturing processes, utilising experimental and computational techniques. He graduated with MEng and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Leeds, with his thesis on Particle Breakage in Agitated Vessels.

Colin has received funding from the International Fine Particle Research Institute (IFPRI), Corning Inc., the European Commission and the EPSRC, to research particle breakage, powder flow under low stresses and high strain rates, heat generation and transfer in powders, and powder coating. He received the Young Researcher Award at the UK Particle Technology Forum 2012 and the IChemE Nicklin Medal 2015.

Colin is the co-chair and former treasurer and secretary of the IChemE Particle Technology Special Interest Group (PTSIG), and was a member of the EPSRC Early Career Forum in Manufacturing Research from 2016-2020.