Personal Statement
As a Professor in Physical Geography, I lead research several fronts: peatland carbon dynamics and palaeoenvironments, dynamics, rate and control of ice-sheet decline, the controls on sediment flux to slopes, rivers and lakes, and links between earth surface processes and human activity. Following PhD (Leeds) research at the University College of Ripon and York St John, I have been at the University of Liverpool history, employed here since 1/1998, as a Postdoc on the Isle of Man (1/1/1998-31/10/1998), then Lecturer, Senior Lecture and Reader. Awarded a personal chair in 2013 most recently as Head of Department (Geography and Planning) 1/8/2021 to 31/4/25 including a period as Interim Dean of School 8/2021 – 1/2022. On 1/5/2025, I assume the role of Dean of the School of Environmental Sciences (SoES).

Academic History: B.Sc. Geography and Geology (1993); M.Sc. Palynology (Aberystwyth) (1994); Ph.D. (Leeds) (1998); Professor, Reader, Senior Lecturer and Lecturer in Physical Geography. School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool. 11/1998 ongoing.

Leadership and Administrative roles: Head of Department (Geography and Planning) 2020-2025, Interim Dean of School (8/2021 – 1/2022), School Director of Research 2018-2020, Faculty Research Strategy Group 2018-2020, Faculty REF Group member (Outputs, Environment) 2018-2020, UoA14 REF lead (Environment and Outputs), External Member Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences REF Moderating Board, Environmental Change Research Group Lead 2014-2018, SoES Chief Assessment Officer 2007-2012.

Research Overview
I research.....
• Past glaciations by modelling geomorphological time series and using the glacial geology and geomorphology.
• Pace and dynamics of the British-Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) during marginal retreat >34,000 years ago to form the basis for robust testing of glaciological models.
• Testing links between environment and human decision making at the first sedentary site in the Near East, The Unfamiliar Landscapes Project.
• Variations in mineral and sediment calibre supply to lakes to build millennial duration records of flood history.
• Catchment and basin (lake or reservoir) responses to extreme events - wildfires, floods etc.
• Geochemical records from lakes and wetlands to understand nutrient dynamics, ecosystem functioning and responses to land cover change.