Research strength: Environmental change and adaptation
Investigating the changing Earth's environment and the measures needed to achieve sustainability and promote resilience.
About
About our research
We are a multi-disciplinary group of environmental, biological, chemical, and geographical scientists undertaking world-leading research on the changing Earth’s environment, the consequences of this change over different spatial and temporal scales, and the adaptation measures that are required to achieve sustainability and promote resilience.
We have a strong research presence both locally and globally, with research sites, collaborations, and impact across the UK, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. We investigate a variety of micro-to-macro biomes and ecosystems: from drylands and wetlands, to urban environments, mountain glaciers and continent scale ice sheets.
We are successful in obtaining research grants from major national and international funders, such as NERC, BBSRC, EU, Innovate UK and the Leverhulme Trust. Our research is also funded and used by national and international policymakers, governments and non-governmental organisations, charities and industry.
Our members provide training and consultancy services, and author leading intergovernmental panel reports.
Our research covers four main areas:
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Assessing short- and long-term changes in earth system processes
We tackle diverse topics, from deforestation and land degradation in the tropics, through to reconstructing past climate, environments and sea-level change, and assessing the risks from glaciers melting.
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Resilient nature-based solutions for a sustainable future
We work across microscopic and macroscopic scales, with experimental expertise ranging from antimicrobial surfaces and microbial biotechnology to assessing the sequestration and storage of saltmarshes, peatlands and forests.
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Detection and monitoring of chemical and biological pollutants
We use our advanced analytical and molecular lab facilities and a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques for applications such as monitoring air pollution and analysing the toxicity of algal blooms.
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Biogeomorphology and ecosystem engineering for sustainable environments
We investigate how ecosystem engineering by animals and plants changes landscapes and can benefit or hinder sustainability goals.
Find out more about the biogeomorphology research group.
Our featured research
Contact
Contact us
You can contact individual members of the team through their staff profiles.
For general enquiries, please contact research group leads Dr Elias Symeonakis and Dr Martin Sullivan.