Dan Penny

Professor Dan Penny is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science. He is affiliated with the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and the Vere Gordon Childe Centre. His research focuses on environmental and cultural dynamics in Southeast Asia, particularly the Angkor civilization and climate-human interaction. He has conducted extensive work on paleoenvironmental reconstruction, water management systems in ancient cities, and the impacts of climate change on pre-modern societies.

His research explores the interplay between human societies and their environments, with a focus on the collapse of complex urban systems like Angkor. Key themes include historical ecology, archaeological methodologies, and the application of interdisciplinary approaches to understand socioecological systems.

Professor Penny's work has been featured in major media outlets including the BBC, National Geographic, and The Conversation. His recent projects include studies on mangrove ecosystems, urban resilience, and the environmental history of the Mekong River system. He has secured grants for projects like 'Paleoenvironmental histories from montane Australia' and 'Wonders of the Mekong in Cambodia.'

His advising and grants highlight interdisciplinary collaborations, with a focus on environmental policy, archaeological fieldwork, and paleoenvironmental data integration. He is part of the Greater Angkor Project, which uses cutting-edge techniques to explore the region's historical landscapes.