Mark MacAlpine (b.1942, UK) obtained his BA and MA at Cambridge University in 1963 and 1964 and his PhD at London University in 1968, the latter while working for the research laboratories of the UK’s Central Electricity Generating Board.  He then taught at the Haile Selassie I University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, worked with International Computers Limited in the UK and, from 1973, was at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, starting off as a Lecturer, ending up as a Professor in the EE Department.  He reached the PolyU’s age for retirement in 2002, but gained two years’ extension.  He is now an Honorary Consultant of the Industrial Centre of the PolyU, A PT Professor at HIT , a Guest Professor at Sydney U and an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation.  His research interests continue to be in electrical corona, statistical aspects of spark and lightning paths, fibre-optic sensors and the condition monitoring of electrical plant.   He has also published on the evaluation of teaching quality and on peer assessment – by both students and staff.