Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography
Environmental change; peatlands; policy; science-policy; climate change
I’m a physical geographer interested in environmental change over a range of timescales (decades, centuries, millennia) in the past, present and future. My research focuses on peatland and wetland systems because of their importance as global carbon stores. Specifically, I’m interested in how these carbon-rich peatlands respond and recover from erosion, climate changes, sea level rise and other pressures, such as pollution. Key field sites I work on are in Britain (Wales, East Anglia), the Mediterranean, and South Africa. My work spans across ecology, hydrology and climatology, and by understanding past environments, I aim to provide a baseline against which to measure success of restoration and environmental policies.
Most environmental science is relevant to policy but too often there are barriers between scientists and policy-makers, meaning relevant scientific research does not always reach the relevant policy area. My science-policy research is focussed on understanding these barriers and developing mechanisms to improve the flow of evidence from science to policy.
For two days a week, I work with the Chief Scientific Adviser of the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to:
The impact of my work is improved quality and transparency of the evidence underpinning policy decisions.
I welcome PhD applications in the following areas:
Available PhD project: A delicate balance? Understanding spontaneous switches from erosion to carbon accumulation in northern peatlands.
Application details can be found through the London NERC DTP, or contact me to discuss other opportunities and project ideas.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Project: Research
ID: 20086222