David Siveter is a Professor of Palaeontology at the University of Leicester. He read for his BSc and doctorate at Leicester and has subsequently held academic appointments at his Alma Mater. His research interests are in Palaeozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology, especially ostracods and other arthropods. Much of his work has been to elucidate the stratigraphical and biogeographical utility of ostracods, the timing and range of their ecological radiation, especially the origin of pelagic lifestyles, and how evidence from exceptionally well preserved fossils has shed light on the origin and evolution of the group. Europe, North America, Russia, central Asia and China are his main fieldwork areas. His current research focuses on arthropod-bearing Konservat-Lagerstätten from the Cambrian and Silurian.