Geocoastal Research Group

Led by the Geocoastal Research Group, this research area is integrated with the University’s wider marine science community via the Marine Studies Institute at The University of Sydney. This exploits a mutual interest in understanding the process interactions that connect geocoastal research with the related fields of marine geoscience, coastal marine ecology, paleoenvironmental change and geochemistry, and coastal engineering.

In recognition of the core research strength in marine science, the university is a founding member of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), a flagship interdisciplinary facility located on the picturesque shores of Sydney Harbour. The Geocoastal Research Group has strong links with One Tree Island Research Station, one of the most pristine coral reef systems available to the scientific community only.

Our aims

Spanning the coastal sedimentary continuum from river systems to the edge of continental margins and beyond, and encompassing both clastic and carbonate environments, this field of research is focused on understanding the processes that drive the geomorphic and paleoenvironmental evolution of these systems.

Geocoastal research at the University of Sydney covers the study of day-to-day change in coastal environments due to meteorological events, to improving our understanding of the longer-term links between global climatic and tectonic adjustments and the geomorphic evolution of continental margins. The research approaches practiced by the group are accordingly varied, and include in situ field measurements and sampling, remote-sensing techniques, and both physical-process and systems-behaviour numerical modelling. Across the spectrum of spatio-temporal scales, research extends beyond geomorphic evolution to habitat responses, environmental change and contamination and marine territorial rights.

Our research

Key research areas include:

• Coastal and near shore processes
• Coral reef geology/geomorphology
• Lake and estuarine sediments
• River systems and riverbank stability
• Deep marine sedimentary systems
• Paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental change

Our people

• A/Prof Ana Vila-Concejo, Geocoastal Research Group Coordinator
• Prof Jody Webster, Geocoastal Research Group Coordinator
• Prof Elaine Baker, Director of Marines Studies Institute
• A/Prof Eleanor Bruce
• Dr Kevin Davies
• Dr Samantha Clarke 
• A/Prof Tom Hubble 
• A/Prof Daniel Penny 
• Dr Bree Morgan
• Dr Tristan Salles
• Dr Sophie Webber

Opportunities

For information about opportunities to study with us, contact the researchers above.