Research in Environmental Science
Reseach Centres Affiliated with the Department
Areas of research encompass the following. Follow the individual staff member's link for more detail.
Dr Paul Beggs:
Biometeorology, human/atmospheric interactions, human healthProfessor Russell Blong:
Hillslope & applied geomorphology, natural hazards in AustralasiaA/Prof Richard de Dear:
Human bioclimatology, interior climates, applied climatology, air pollutionDr Kirstie Fryirs:
Fluvial geomorphology, catchment management, river evolution, river recoveryA/Prof Damian Gore:
Fluvial sedimentation, geochemistry, polar research, natural hazardsDr Paul Hesse:
Quaternary paleoclimates, aeolian geomorphology, landscape evolutionMs Carol Jacobson:
Geographic information systems, computer-aided learningDr Angela Maharaj:
Physical Oceanography, Satellite Altimetry, Planetary (Rossby) waves.
Dr Mark P. Taylor:
Floodplain environments, heavy metal pollution, fluvial sediments (clastic and carbonate), weathering processes
Other research areas in Environmental Science:
Sydney Catchment Authority - Macquarie University Collaborative Research Project on fire and other catastrophic events.
Senior Research and Post-doctoral Fellows who are not full time members of academic staff can contribute to postgraduate training as Associate Supervisors. Additional areas of interest include: soils, phytolith studies (Hart); urban air quality (Hyde); geoarchaeology, land management, soils (Mitchell); soils, landscape evolution (Paton); vegetation dynamics, palynology (Norris).
Research Centres and Networks Affiliated with the Department
Two world-class research Centres are associated with Environmental Science:
Risk Frontiers (NHRC - Natural Hazards Research Centre)
ARC Research Network for Earth System Science
http://www.arcness.mq.edu.auFrom 2005, we also play host to the ARC Research Network for Earth System Science. This Network incorporates data collectors, modellers and impacts researchers to address the impacts of climate change and variability on Human, biological and physical systems. Our capacity to adapt to changes in water availability, agricultural productivity, the likelihood of species extinctions, and risks to human health will be enhanced through the Network's use of frontier technologies. The enhanced capacity to use data and model the Earth System will allow policymakers to make more informed decisions with regard to water, biodiversity, human health, industry and agriculture sustainability; thereby enhancing the national capacity to respond to climate change and variability and securing our common interest.
Environmental Science houses an impressive thesis collection covering a wide range of subject matter. Theses are not generally taken off campus, but can be accessed via the Department's administration office.