Chris McGonigle

Chris McGonigle serves as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Ulster University's Faculty of Life & Health Sciences. His academic profile spans marine biodiversity research, acoustic monitoring techniques, and environmental conservation with significant societal impact.

Education:

• PhD in Benthic Habitat Mapping (Ulster University, 2010)
• PgCHEP in Higher Education Practice (2015)
• BSc Hons in Marine Science (Ulster University, 2006)

His research operates at the critical intersection of marine ecology, acoustic technology, and spatial modeling, focusing on biodiversity conservation in marine environments. Current projects integrate mid-water/ocean floor mapping for fisheries assessment with hydrodynamic modeling for benthic habitat conservation, directly supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals for marine life preservation.

Recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate evolving expertise from foundational acoustic backscatter research toward integrated solutions for marine protected areas, species conservation, and sustainable resource management. Key trends include machine learning applications in habitat mapping and interdisciplinary approaches bridging ecology with cultural heritage conservation.

As coordinator of Ulster's Diploma in Professional Practice program, he facilitates industry placements while leading externally funded projects including UK Defra's RESONANCE initiative (2022-2025) and ERC-funded underwater archaeological preservation research. His international collaborations include previous affiliation with Alaska Pacific University (2017-2019).