Professor Ruth Merttens, from the University College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth, spends most of her time developing resources for primary and secondary school teachers in U.K.. She also travels the country giving practical, hands-on in-service training on creative teaching, the teaching of mathematics and English and development in the Early Years. She contributes regularly to professional journals, educational magazines and newspapers. Source: http://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Primary/Mathematics/CompleteSchemes/Abacus/Philosophy/meet-the-abacus-authors.aspx