Jenny Gales

Dr. Jenny Gales is an Associate Professor in Hydrography and Ocean Exploration at the University of Plymouth's School of Biological and Marine Sciences. She leads the BSc Ocean Exploration and Surveying program and serves as Deputy Lead for the MSc Hydrography program. Her research focuses on Antarctic continental margin processes, submarine landslides, glacial dynamics, and marine robotics applications. She has participated in major expeditions including IODP Expedition 374 to the Ross Sea and the Coordinated Canyon Experiment in collaboration with MBARI.

Education includes a PhD at the British Antarctic Survey, postdoctoral work at the National Oceanography Centre, and academic exchanges at the Arctic University of Norway and Statoil ASA. Her technical expertise spans marine geophysics, bathymetry, and the use of ROVs/AUVs for seafloor mapping.

Research interests emphasize ice-sheet stability, submarine canyon geomorphology, and sediment transport mechanisms. Recent work integrates seismic data, core samples, and oceanographic models to understand Antarctic margin evolution. Over 50 peer-reviewed articles address topics like turbidity currents, contourite drifts, and climate-driven sediment processes.

Teaching responsibilities include modules on marine mapping, coastal surveying, and energy exploration. Supervised PhD student Maxine King completed a study on Ross Sea continental margin dynamics. Active in international collaborations, she contributes to the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) and has advised on offshore glacial reconstructions in Scotland.

Her lab work involves advanced sensor networks and autonomous systems for deep-sea monitoring. Current projects include analyzing Antarctic submarine landslide triggers and preparing for upcoming expeditions to study ice-sheet margin interactions.