Dr Sanders studied at St John's College, Cambridge 1965 - 1971 obtaining a BA and PhD in Mineralogy and Petrology. He lectured in the Department of Geology, TCD, since 1971. His research interests include metamorphic petrology of the deep continental crust, and the formation of planets during the first few million years of the solar system. Other interests include the promotion of the teaching of geology in primary and secondary schools. He is the founding editor of the Irish Journal of Earth Sciences