Ian Lawson

Ian Lawson is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at the School of Geography & Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, and Co-Director of the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities.

His research focuses on tropical peatland science, spanning

• palaeoecology and geochemistry
• carbon cycle and Earth system dynamics
• human-environment interactions across geological timescales

With fieldwork conducted in the Amazon basin, Congo Basin, and Mediterranean region, his work combines pollen analysis with regional-scale data synthesis to address sustainable development goals.

Recent projects include

• Biodiversity for Climate Resilience (2024-2027)
• Congo Peatland Conservation (2024-2026)

He teaches planetary boundaries through modules like 'Welcome to the Anthropocene' and supervises field/laboratory methods training.