Howard is a retired archaeologist and has been travelling to Egypt since the 1990's, building on his experience of working on site locations in the Western Desert, and expanding his knowledge of archaeological photography and desert survival. 
Howard is an established author having written a number of publications on archaeology and history, mainly related to Egypt. Howard specialises in Coptic archaeology and is a contributor to the regular volume series, 'Christianity and Monasticism in Egypt', AUC press Cairo, and is a member of the International Association For Coptic Studies.

Howard is currently the honorary archaeology advisor to the on profit organisation 'Archaeological Rescue Foundation''

Howard is also an experienced mountain Walker and holds the mountain leadership certificate