Mark Davidson

Dr. Mark Davidson is an Associate Professor (Reader) in Coastal Processes at the University of Plymouth, leading the Coastal Processes Research Group since 2019. He holds roles as Associate Head of School (Admissions and Marketing), lecturer for undergraduate/postgraduate courses, and Ph.D. supervisor. His expertise spans in-situ measurements, video remote sensing, and numerical modeling of hydro- and morphodynamics, with a focus on shoreline change prediction and coastal resilience. Current research emphasizes multi-timescale (days-to-decades) modeling frameworks like ShoreTrans and storm impact analysis on UK coastlines.

His work addresses critical challenges such as gravel barrier response to extreme storms, sediment budgeting, and infrastructure protection. He has led EPSRC-funded projects on UK coastal resilience and nuclear plant installations. Supervised 16 Ph.D. completions and currently advises Emily Hunt on decadal shoreline modeling. Teaching includes advanced courses in waves, estuaries, and physical oceanography. His lab utilizes cutting-edge tools like LiDAR and shore-based video systems for real-time monitoring.

Research contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including seminal work on infragravity wave dynamics, ShoreTrans modeling, and post-storm recovery patterns. Collaborative projects include the EU-funded LEACOAST2 and CoastView initiatives. His work aligns with UN SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).