Paul is Professor of Geographic Information Science at UCL, where he also directs the ESRC Geographic Data Service.
He is a GIScientist and Quantitative Human Geographer with substantive interests in the human dynamics of urban systems. His published work includes three books (two in multiple and foreign language editions), 13 edited collections, 127 refereed journal articles and 79 contributions to edited collections. He has supervised 72 intending Ph.D. students (52 Ph.D. and 5 Masters completions to date), many of whom have progressed to academic positions worldwide. His research has developed through more than 61 research grants (totalling £31.28 million) and 3 teaching grants (totalling £2.37m). He is a past Editor-in-Chief of Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, past Co-Editor of Environment and Planning B, and is an editorial board member of a number of international journals. He has made major contributions to teaching and learning in quantitative methods through textbooks, online resources, grant funded initiatives and visiting appointments to overseas universities. He also makes frequent contributions to the public understanding of science.