London NERC DTP PhD student at the Centre for Quaternary Research (Department of Geography) supervised by Professor Simon Blockley (Royal Holloway), Dr Adrian Palmer (Royal Holloway), Professor Bethan Davies (Newcastle University), Dr Sam Roberson (Geological Survey of Northern Ireland), and Dr Magret Damaschke (British Geological Survey). Originally from Crawley, West Sussex.

My research is primarily focussed on the timing and nature of deglacation on the Antrim Plateau, Northern Ireland, during the Late Glacial period.

We aim to produce a highly detailed geomorphological map of the study region so we can better understand the complex patterns of ice sheet retreat. By extracting cryptotephra samples from key sites, radiocarbon dating core sediments, and cosmogenic nuclide (¹⁰Be and ³⁶Cl) dating erratic boulders on the plateau, we aim to back up this geomorphological understanding with a high-resolution chronological framework. Hopefully, we will have a much better understanding of the drivers of ice sheet decay, and ice-climate interactions during this period of high-magnitude climate change and widespread ice sheet reorganisation.

I am happy to answer any questions via the above email address, or you can find me on Twitter @AlexMClark97 and Bluesky @alexmclark.bsky.social

• Palaeoglaciology/ glacial geomorphology
  
• Tephrochronology
• Quaternary palaeoclimates and palaeoenvironments
• Geochronology
• Sedimentology

PhD Geography, Royal Holloway University of London (2022-Present)

Working title: Multiproxy reconstruction of NE Irish Ice Sheet dynamics during the Late Glacial (c. 20-15 ka BP)

Follows 6 months of interdisciplinary training across 8 London institutions, based at University College London (September 2021-March 2022).

MSc Quaternary Science, Royal Holloway University of London (2019-2020)

• Advanced modules in palaeoclimate, sedimentology and stratigraphy, palaeoecology, and research techniques
• Short course modules in glaciers and climate, micromorphology, tephrochronology, palynology, and chironomids
• Dissertation: 'Assessing and expanding the Southern Caucasus Palaeolithic chronological framework using Bayesian age modelling and tephrochronology'

BSc Geography, Royal Holloway University of London (2016-2019)

1st Year:

• Introductory physical geography modules
• Introductory human geography modules
• Field course in Spain

2nd Year:

• Physical geography modules in environmental systems, GIS, and rivers
• Human geography module in geopolitics
• Field course in Sicily, Italy

3rd Year:

• Physical geography modules in glaciers and climate, environmental change, GIS, and volcanoes
• Human geography module in geopolitics of the sea
• Dissertation exploring tephrochronology at a Middle Palaeolithic site in Armenia

Project Volunteer, Galapagos Conservation Trust (September 2020-Present)

I helped project leaders with communicating scientific materials online to teachers and students, as well carry out some general research on Blue Carbon to help raise awareness of the impact of climate change in ocean ecosystems around the Galapagos Islands.

Research Assisstant, Royal Holloway University of London (July 2018)

I held a research assisstant role for one the the academic staff in the Department of Geography focussed on digital mapping and research in glaciology.

Volunteer Countryside Ranger, West Sussex County Council (March 2016-August 2017)

I was part of a friendly community that aimed to maintain Buchan Country Park in Crawley, West Sussex. We mainly carried out copicing and using natural materials to build fences which served to direct members of the public along established trails as well as keep pests out of the main reserve areas.