Dr. Thomson’s research interests are in the experimental and numerical modelling of industrial metal working processes, especially of hot and cold rolling and sheet forming. By exploiting the potential of modelling techniques to improve process design and efficiency, a better product can be produced with lower tool design costs. Modelling provides a means of designing thermomechanical processing to produce specified properties. These themes are followed in the development of improved solution techniques in finite element analysis of large deformation, techniques for optimising the design of preforms and intermediate dies in multi-stage metal working processes and prediction of texture in rolled aluminium sheet. The interaction of macro- and micro- mechanics is especially emphasised in work on the dependence of constitutive behaviour on mode of deformation in hot working.