His research interest is fluvial geomorphology, and water and river management. He has published over 80 journal articles and book chapters, over 50 consulting reports, and supervised more than 30 PhD and Masters projects to completion. He has acted as advisor to numerous state and federal government expert panels and committees related to river and catchment management. Between 2009 and 2013 Ian was a senior water manager in the Victorian government, currently, he is a Chief Investigator in four Australian Research Council grants, president of the Institute of Australian Geographers, and of the Australia New Zealand Geomorphology Group.