Mark Coughlan

Dr. Mark Coughlan is an Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow in the School of Earth Sciences at University College Dublin (UCD). He is also a Funded Investigator at the SFI Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG) and a member of the Earth Institute. He holds dual email addresses at UCD and iCRAG. Coughlan holds a BSc in Geology (2009) and PhD in Marine Geology (2014) from University College Cork (UCC), with postgraduate research at MARUM Centre, University of Bremen. After his PhD, he worked in renewable energy with Gaelectric as a Project Manager in their Offshore Wind Section before returning to academia.

His research focuses on seabed dynamics, glacial geology, and offshore renewable energy constraints. Key areas include Quaternary history of NW European shelves, seabed geotechnical characterization, and public engagement with marine science. He collaborates with experts in geotechnics, oceanography, and environmental humanities. Coughlan co-founded the MESSAGE interdisciplinary group at UCD and co-manages the UCD Geoscience Itrax Facility.

He has secured grants for projects like QUEST (quantifying carbon storage in marine sediments) and ENACT (energy narratives in coastal communities). His teaching includes coordinating modules on Marine Geoscience and Earth Systems. Professional activities include membership in the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers and the Geological Society of London.

Notable achievements include discovering the Moytirra hydrothermal vent field (2013) and developing seabed mobility indices for offshore energy planning (2021). His work bridges geoscience with societal issues, such as climate change mitigation and public perception of marine resources.