Although much of his research is focused on (and in) West Africa, he has a life-long passion for local archaeology and history. He has worked with numerous community heritage and museum initiatives.

Since moving on from Sussex University, he has held a number of senior academic positions, including at UCL Institute of Archaeology, where he coordinated its museum studies programme.

He was subsequently Professor of Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, and is currently Professor for Global Heritage at the University of Bonn, Germany. His family home remains in Lewes.