Steering Group
The Steering Group plays a central role in guiding the strategic direction, development, and overall management of the Global Research Centre (GRC). Working closely with the Topic Leads, the Steering Group helps shape the Centre’s priorities, ensuring its activities remain ambitious, collaborative, and aligned with its long-term vision and governing principles.
Drawing on expertise from across a diverse range of disciplines and schools, the Steering Group ensures balanced representation across key thematic areas while fostering strong interdisciplinary collaboration. The Steering Group will review and support proposals for GRC activities, helping to identify opportunities for innovation, partnership, and impact across research, engagement, and knowledge exchange initiatives.
In addition to overseeing the development of activities and programmes, the Steering Group will support effective communication and engagement across the wider membership, helping to strengthen connections between schools, researchers, and external partners. Through regular review and strategic input, the Steering Group will help ensure the GRC remains responsive to emerging challenges, research opportunities, and the evolving global climate agenda.
Derek Ball
School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Film Studies
Senior Lecturer
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 1795
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com
Andrea Burke
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Professor
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 4015
- [email protected]
- Biography
- Climate Change and what we can learn from the environmental history of our planet
My research focuses on the forcings and mechanisms of climate and carbon cycle change through geochemical records and modellling of past climatic events. My group makes geochemical measurements on samples from ice cores, corals, and marine sediment cores to understand the forcings and responses of the Earth system on timescales ranging from recent history to millions of years ago. My research interests are wide ranging: from volcanic forcing of climate with implications for the climate sensitivity to sulfate aerosols, to ocean circulation and biogeochemical changes, with implications for carbon cycling and benthic ecosystem resilience.
Michael Byrne
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Reader
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3996
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com
Jason König
School of Classics
Professor
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2618
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com
Graeme MacGilchrist
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
UKRI Future Leaders Fellow
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 4949
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com
James Palmer
School of History – Medieval History
Professor
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2197
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com
James Rae
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Director of Impact Professor
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3910
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com
Mara van der Lugt
School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Film Studies
Lecturer in Philosophy
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 4275
- [email protected]
- Biography
My research focuses on reconstructing past climate change and its causes. I’m particularly interested in the cause of recent glacial-interglacial cycles, and climate changes over the Cenozoic. To study these questions I use geochemical measurements on fossils, sediments, water and ice, with a special focus on the boron isotope proxy for pH. I interpret these data with the help of a variety of numerical models. I’m also fascinated by biomineralisation processes in corals and foraminifera, and the insights that geochemistry offers into calcification and ocean acidification. You can find out more about my work at my website: www.jameswbrae.com