Katy Sheen

Katy Sheen is an Associate Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Exeter, part of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Earth and Environmental Science. She leads the BSc Marine Science programme and is affiliated with the Exeter Marine network. Her research focuses on ocean physics, climate variability, and marine environmental health, integrating seismic oceanography, Southern Ocean dynamics, and Sahel rainfall patterns. She has secured £4.3M in grants, including a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.

Education: BA/MA/MSci in Natural Sciences (University of Cambridge, 2001–2005), PhD in Geophysics/Seismic Oceanography (University of Cambridge, 2006–2010). Professional roles include UK delegate for the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans and committee member of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics.

Research Interests:

• Acoustic imaging of subsurface flows via seismic methods.
• Submesoscale ocean dynamics and their role in heat/carbon transport.
• Southern Ocean turbulent mixing and carbon uptake mechanisms.
• Climate impacts on Sahel rainfall variability and African food security.
• Microplastic transport modeling and marine plastic pollution.

Awards & Grants:

• UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
• NERC Exploring the Frontiers Grant

Advising & Mentorship: Supervises PhD/MSc students in topics like low-oxygen zone biogeochemistry, Antarctic ice modeling, and microplastic pathways. Mentors postdoctoral researchers in acoustic oceanography and marine snow mapping.

Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Exeter Marine network and collaborates with the Met Office Hadley Centre on climate prediction models. Films documenting fieldwork in the Southern Ocean and Senegal/Ghana highlight her public engagement efforts.