ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY | 21
Environmental Research at Keele
Keele has an active environmental research community, with staff and students contributing
to varied and highly interdisciplinary research activity and outputs.
When not teaching classes, staff
members lead their own research
projects, write journal papers and books,
develop funding grant applications,
provide consultancy advice and engage in
other scholarly pursuits.
Our research feeds directly into our
teaching, ensuring students benefit
from up-to-date knowledge and
expertise. In the most recent national
Research Excellence Framework (REF)
assessment, 97% of Earth Systems and
Environmental Sciences publications from
Keele were considered to be ‘recognised
internationally’, ‘internationally excellent’
or ‘world leading’.
Environmental sustainability
Researchers have been involved
with a wide range of sustainability
research including fuel poverty,
energy reduction through community
knowledge networks, and education for
sustainable development.
Reconstructing past
environments Glacial and permafrost
environments
Researchers examine microfossils
(bivalves, foraminifera, diatoms) in water,
sediment and salt-marshes to reconstruct
past conditions in marine environments
and reveal how climate and sea levels
have changed over time. Researchers conduct extensive research
into glacial and permafrost environments
including: understanding glacier and
permafrost interactions; glacial influences
on groundwater and surface water
hydrology; and the reconstruction of
glaciated landscapes.
Nutrient fluxes, gas exchange,
contaminant behaviour and
ecotoxicology in soil and water
We conduct research into nutrient and
contaminant movements within and
between soil and water systems and
how these impact on terrestrial and
aquatic species. Novel methods for
land remediation and restoration are an
important focus.
Forest ecology, biosecurity
Researchers study many aspects of forest
ecology and management, including
biosecurity issues related to invasive
species and how forests respond to fires
and other stresses. Modelling of forest
succession and development is also an
avenue of their research.
Environmental geophysics
Researchers develop and apply
engineering and geophysical techniques
for the characterisation, investigation and
remediation of environmental, geological,
hydrological, archaeological, forensic and
geotechnical problems.
keele.ac.uk/gge