Studied topology with JHC Whitehead and MG Barratt. Lectured at Liverpool, Hull and Professor at Bangor since 1970. Over 170 publications, (124 on MathSciNet, with 49 co-authors) on topology, algebra, category theory, and 36 on popularisation and teaching. Originator of the terms "convenient category" and "higher dimensional algebra." His latest publication is R. Brown, P.J. Higgins, R. Sivera, Nonabelian algebraic topology: filtered spaces, crossed complexes, cubical homotopy groupoids, EMS Tracts in Mathematics Vol. 15, 703 pages. (August 2011) which gives an exposition of aspects of 40 years of research on developing applications of higher groupoids in topology.