Matthew J. Cliffe obtained a physics degree from the University of Hertfordshire in 2010. Subsequently he moved to The University of Manchester to study for an M.Sc. in Photon Science. After its successful completion Matthew remained at Manchester to undertake a Ph.D. in terahertz physics, supervied by Dr. D. M. Graham, Prof. W. R. Flavell and Dr. S. P. Jamison. During his Ph.D. he developed terahertz radiation sources and diagnostic techniques for accelerator applications at Daresbury Laboratory. In 2015 Matthew started working as a postdoctoral research associate at The Cockcroft Institute in the field of ultrafast terahertz generation for particle acceleration.