Robert Hording read mathematics at St John's College. Cambridge, and went on to complete his PhD in plasma physics. Before doing so, he become involved with the CATAM project (Computer-Aided Teaching of Mathematics) which was being started by the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, at Cambridge. His strong interest in the use of a computational approach in learning mathematics resulted in his appointment, in 1971, as Senior Assistant in Research at DAMTP with responsibility for managing and researching the CATAM project. In 1975 he became Assistant Director of Research.