James A Austin

James A. Austin is a Research Professor at the Institute for Geophysics (UTIG), Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin. He holds a B.A. in Geology from Amherst College (1973) and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (1979). His career spans over four decades, specializing in marine geophysics, continental margins, and seismic stratigraphy.

• Positions: Senior Research Scientist (1979–present), Associate Director for International Relations at UTIG (2012–present).
• Leadership roles: Chair of the AGU Development Board (2004–present), Trustee of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2007–present).

Research focuses on passive margins, seismic reflection profiling, and oceanographic drilling initiatives (e.g., Ocean Drilling Program, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program). Key regions include the New Jersey margin, Gulf of Mexico, and Antarctic Peninsula.

Awards include Fellow of the Geological Society of America (1991) and the JOI-USSAC Distinguished Lecturer (1997–1998). He has advised over 20 graduate students and contributed to numerous expeditions and international collaborations.

Publications span seismic stratigraphy, tectonics, and oceanography, with recent work on the Loop Current, Gulf of Mexico dynamics, and Atlantic margin evolution.