Daniel Paul Le Heron

Daniel Paul Le Heron is a full Professor at the University of Vienna's Institute of Geology within the Faculty of Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy. He joined the university in 2018 as part of the Geodynamics and Sedimentology team after serving as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Reader at Royal Holloway University of London from 2008-2017. His academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Aberystwyth University (1997-2000), followed by a PhD from the same institution (2000-2003). Prior to his position at Vienna, he held postdoctoral and research positions at Strasbourg University, CASP in Cambridge, and the University of Hanover.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor's in Geology, Aberystwyth University (1997-2000)
• PhD in Geology specializing in Sedimentology, Aberystwyth University (2000-2003)

Professor Le Heron is a sedimentologist with a passion for field-based geological research across diverse environments from mountains to deserts. His research focuses on glacial sedimentology, particularly past deep time glacial records around the world, palaeoglaciological reconstructions, soft sediment deformation structures, and aspects of Precambrian carbonates including post-glacial cap carbonates and microbialites. His fieldwork has taken him to numerous locations worldwide including Brazil, Indonesia, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, USA, Australia, China, Libya, Siberia, and Morocco.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on Late Paleozoic Ice Age (LPIA) glaciations, particularly in Namibia and Chad, with significant work on Neoproterozoic glacial deposits and Ediacaran-Cambrian transition deposits in South China. His research increasingly incorporates photogrammetric techniques for detailed landscape analysis and demonstrates a consistent interest in glacial geomorphology, sedimentary structures, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction across Earth's deep time record.

Professor Le Heron actively mentors students, with recorded PhD and MPhil projects on topics including Late Ordovician glacial records in Saudi Arabia and Ediacaran/Cambrian glacial deposits in China. He serves as Associate Editor for several prominent journals including the Journal of Sedimentary Research, Indian Journal of Sedimentologists, and Sedimentology (2016). Currently, he is leading the DANube SEdiment Restoration project (2025-2028) focused on sustainable sediment management across the Danube catchment basin, while continuing his field-based research on ancient glacial landscapes worldwide.

His research team includes collaborators such as Ricarda Wohlschlägl, Christoph Kettler, and Paulina Mejías Osorio, with whom he frequently publishes on paleoglaciological topics. Professor Le Heron maintains an active field research program, having conducted over 12 field seasons in the Sahara and other challenging environments throughout his career.