Clayton is a Lecturer and PhD candidate in Computer Science, holding an MSc (with distinction) from the University of Cape Town. His current research focuses on spatio-temporal graph neural networks (STGNNs) and machine learning for predictive data analytics in physical systems.

His previous research in logic-based reasoning, investigating patterns of human cognition, has been presented at premier international venues including IJCAI, KR, and NMR, and published in leading journals. A highlight of his academic journey was his selection for the 2022 Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF), an honour extended to only 200 young researchers in mathematics and computer science globally. Beyond his primary research, Clayton is an active member of the academic community, contributing through conference organisation, program committee service, and fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations.