Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoceanography

palaeoclimate1

Palaeoclimate research at Birmingham integrates sedimentology, palaeontology, geochemistry and climate modeling to produce an integrated view of ancient, modern and future environmental change.

Our research spans from geological studies of Proterozoic “snowball earth” events to advanced simulations of Holocene climate change. Particular highlights include the integrated study of Cenozoic climate evolution, especially the links between atmospheric CO2, temperature and ocean chemistry. Research expertise includes a range of stable isotope and trace metal inorganic geochemistry, organic biomarker analyses, quantitative and evolutionary micropaleontology as well as Earth System and Climate Modelling. Researchers are deeply engaged with the International Ocean Discovery Program, with recent shipboard participation in IODP Expeditions 318, 320, 337, 348, 355, 363 and 369, and leadership of IODP full proposal 864 now IODP Exp. 388: Equatorial Atlantic Gateway.

There are four key approaches that we use to study Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoceanography:

Our staff and students

Academic Staff

 

Honorary staff

 

Postdoctoral Researchers

  • Kewku Afrifa Yamoah
  • Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero

 

PhD Researchers and Research Assistants

Funding

Our research is funded through a diverse range of sources, including NERC, ERC, Marie Curie Actions, Leverhulme Trust, Royal Society, and the Palaeontological Association. We actively encourage external collaborations, as well as welcoming and supporting fellowship applications. In recent years we have hosted Royal Society, NERC, Leverhulme Trust and Royal Commission of 1851 Fellows. For further information please contact any relevant member of academic staff and see opportunities to get involved with the Earth Sciences community.

Related courses

We offer a postgraduate programme in:

  • MSc Applied Meteorology and Climatology - this course provides comprehensive training in understanding, modelling and prediction of atmospheric processes; as well as the collection, management, supply and application of atmospheric data for the needs of a variety of public and private sectors.

Research-informed teaching is a core part of our ethos, and we have a track record of helping our undergraduate and Masters students publish their research projects, present their work at conferences, and obtain funded PhD positions. 

The group includes a large, diverse and vibrant community of highly talented and motivated doctoral researchers, working on a broad range of field-, lab- and desk-based PhD projects. PhD opportunities are available annually through the CENTA doctoral training programme, and may also be advertised on an ad hoc basis as funding allows. We are always keen to talk to potential students about opportunities. We have an excellent track record of training our doctoral researchers for careers in paleoclimatology, industry, university and international research environments.

Public Engagement

Public engagement represents a significant component of our work. The group has strong links to the Lapworth Museum of Geology, and played a key role in developing the new Museum exhibitions. We use the Museum’s temporary exhibition space to showcase our research. We frequently deliver public talks, events and educational sessions, in the Museum and further afield – please contact any member of academic staff if you are interested in having us come to talk to your group about our research

From March-June 2019 we featured the Mysteries of the Deep Exhibition at the Lapworth Museum of Geology. This exhibition tells the story of scientific ocean drilling and its role in helping  to better understand the oceans and their role in the Earth’s climate.

Free downloads of the exhibition and associated comic are available on the website.

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