Tom is currently studying for a PhD at Aberystwyth University with a working thesis title of 'Assessing Structural Controls on Ice Shelf Stability'. The research brings together numerous remote sensing data sets and proven remote techniques to quantify the structural controls on ice-shelf stability. Optical (Landsat, Terra-ASTER), Microwave (ERS-1/2 SAR, ENVISAT ASAR) and Laser (ICESat GLAS) data are currently being used to evaluate the structures and dynamics of Bach, George VI and Stange ice shelves in the southern Antarctic Peninsula.

Along side his research Tom is currently a Tutor for Part 1 undergraduate students, as well as a laboratory and fieldwork demonstrator. He has also taken on the role of a Student Ambassedor, Postgraduate Representative for the Institute Health, Safety & Environment Committee, and has been involved with organising various sessions and workshops for departmental, university-wide and national conferences. Prior to his PhD, Tom studied for his MSc in Glaciology at Aberystwyth University, where he was awarded a Distinction-level pass. During the MSc, Tom concentrated much of his research on remote sensing in glaciology, cumulating in a thesis titled 'Quantifying Glacier Fluctuation in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, between 1996 and 2005'.

Between 2002 and 2005 Tom completed a BSc Geography course at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (prior to the name-change) gaining a upper second class degree.