Iain Parnum

Dr. Iain Parnum is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His primary research focuses on acoustic remote sensing of marine environments, including seafloor mapping, water column analysis, and marine mammal detection. He is actively involved in developing acoustic technologies for habitat characterization and has contributed to projects like the AUSSEABED national seabed mapping initiative.

Research Interests:

• Seafloor mapping using multibeam, sidescan, and single-beam sonar systems
• Acoustic data processing and software development
• Marine mammal monitoring via passive and active acoustic techniques
• Seagrass and sediment property analysis through acoustic backscatter
• Underwater photogrammetry and novel imaging device workflows

Publications Trends: His recent work emphasizes fish chorus acoustics, beaked whale presence detection, and the integration of acoustic methods with environmental variables. Key contributions include advancing underwater noise monitoring tools and improving seabed classification techniques.

Affiliations: Chair of the WA Division of the Australian Acoustical Society; Federal Councillor of the Australian Acoustical Society.

Technical Contributions: Developed open-source data-logging devices and calibration frameworks for marine surveys. Collaborated on projects like the Perth Canyon soundscape analysis and coral reef evolution studies in the Kimberley region.