Ian Duff completed a degree in Sociology and Politics at Stirling University, Scotland, in 1986. In the late 1980's he worked at the Henley Centre for Economic and Social Forecasting in London as a marketing analyst. He later completed the Diploma in Marketing from the UK Chartered Institute of Marketing. After a few years working in Spain he returned to Edinburgh to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Spanish and European Marketing.

Prior to joining the Institute for Japanese-European Technology Studies (JETS) full time in late 1999 as a Research Associate he was employed for five years with Edinburgh University Library where he was involved in a number of web development projects. He has also worked as a freelance business researcher.