Robert Sparkes

Dr Robert Sparkes is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on organic geochemistry and carbon cycle dynamics. His research emphasizes carbon burial in coastal wetlands, Arctic permafrost dynamics, and mountain belt erosion impacts on marine carbon sequestration. He collaborates with institutions globally and leads the Coastal Ecosystem Research Group at MMU.

Education includes a PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Cambridge (2008-2012) and a first-class BA/MSci in Natural Sciences (2004-2008), both from Cambridge. His career includes postdoctoral roles at the University of Manchester and senior academic positions at MMU since 2016.

Research interests span Raman spectroscopy applications, microbial biomarkers, and climate mitigation strategies via coastal ecosystems. Key projects include £1.5M studies on carbon burial in Somerset saltmarshes and UK-wide saltmarsh carbon measurement initiatives.

Teaching responsibilities include Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Geography programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He supervises PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with notable completions in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

Publications focus on carbon dynamics in rivers, Arctic systems, and meteorites, with analytical techniques central to his work.