Professor Patrick Moss is a leading academic in Physical Geography and Head of School at QUT's School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. His research focuses on understanding landscape responses to climate change and human impacts, with expertise in palaeoecology, Quaternary Science, and environmental management. He holds a PhD from Monash University and supervises PhD and undergraduate students in these disciplines. Key research interests include wetland resilience, fire ecology, and the application of palynology to environmental history. His work integrates archaeological perspectives to address contemporary conservation challenges, such as ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation strategies. Publications span over three decades, emphasizing global fire regimes, human-environment interactions, and Quaternary environmental reconstruction. Collaborations include international projects on peatlands, monsoon variability, and volcanic ash stratigraphy.
Professor David J.A. Evans is a distinguished glacial geomorphologist at Durham University's Department of Geography. His research spans three interconnected themes at the interface of glacial geology and Quaternary science, focusing on palaeoglaciology and the reconstruction of former glaciers and ice sheets through time. With extensive field experience across the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Southern Hemisphere, he has contributed significantly to the understanding of glacial landscapes and processes globally. BA (Hons), St. David's University College, University of Wales, Lampeter, 1982 MSc, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, 1984 PhD, University of Alberta, Canada, 1988 Professor Evans' research centers on glacial landsystems, glacial sedimentology, and Quaternary palaeoenvironments of glaciated basins. His work develops conceptual landsystems models for glacial process-form relationships, with field sites ranging from the Canadian High Arctic to mid-latitude mountains. He has pioneered research connecting subglacial process-form relationships to landform development models, particularly through his studies of active temperate glacier margins in Iceland. His sedimentological work has established a genetically framed classification scheme for tills and glacitectonites. Evans has contributed to major ice sheet reconstructions worldwide, including the British and Irish Ice Sheet (through the BRITICE-CHRONO project), Laurentide Ice Sheet, and Arctic Norway. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent research activity with 15 recent articles focusing on ice sheet dynamics, glacial landform evolution, and Quaternary environmental reconstruction across multiple continents. These works reveal a strong emphasis on methodological innovation in mapping and analyzing glacial landscapes, with increasing integration of remote sensing and quantitative approaches to understand both contemporary glacier behavior and past ice sheet dynamics. Scientific Recognition: Busk Medal (Royal Geographical Society), 2017, for excellence and originality in the study of glacial landscapes and processes and empowering the next generation Professor Evans has collaborated extensively with international research teams on major projects including BRITICE-CHRONO and has contributed to engineering geology applications through technical guides for glaciated terrains. His work bridges pure academic research with practical applications in engineering geology and environmental management. He has supervised numerous field guides and edited influential publications in glacial geomorphology. His research involves extensive fieldwork in Iceland (particularly on the Vatnajökull ice cap), the British Isles, Canadian Arctic, and other glaciated regions, often using modern glacier systems as analogues for reconstructing past ice sheets. Evans has developed significant expertise in glacial landsystem mapping and interpretation, contributing to both academic understanding and practical engineering applications in glaciated terrains.
Dr. Abi Stone is a Reader in Physical Geography at the University of Manchester since 2024, specializing in Quaternary environmental change and dryland systems. She holds expertise in luminescence dating, geoarchaeology, and hydrogeology. Her research focuses on understanding climatic and environmental shifts in deserts and their impacts on human migration, with active projects in the Namib Sand Sea, Saudi Arabia, and the Himalayas. She leads the MERI Earth History, Palaeoenvironments, and Archaeology theme and is affiliated with the Quaternary Environments and Geoarchaeology research groups. Education: DPhil (2009) in Quaternary Science from the University of Oxford, MSc (2004) from Royal Holloway, and BA (2003) in Geography (1st class) from the University of Oxford. Administrative Roles: Currently coordinates Postgraduate Research in Physical Geography and has held roles such as MERI Theme Champion and QEG Research Group Convener. External roles include External Examiner for Royal Holloway’s MSc Quaternary Science and the University of Gloucestershire’s BSc Geography. Research Interests: Interdisciplinary work combining Quaternary science, archaeology, and geomorphology. Key projects include the Leverhulme-funded PANS project studying human occupation in the Namib Sand Sea and collaborations on Saudi Arabian geoarchaeology. Active grants include the WiSH project (INQUA) and Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto initiatives. Awards: Recognized for teaching excellence with the Innovator of the Year (2019) and Outstanding PGT Dissertation Supervisor (2022). Supervised 4 PhD students and contributed to over 67 research outputs. Teaching: Convenes courses on Dryland Environments, Geomorphology, and fieldwork in the Pyrenees, while co-teaching advanced modules on environmental governance and decolonizing geography.
Martin J. Head is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Brock University, where he has been a faculty member since 2005. He holds affiliations with the University of Cambridge, where he is a Life Member of Wolfson College, and maintains a status-level professorship at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on palynology and stratigraphy, particularly marine dinoflagellate cysts and the formal subdivision of the Quaternary Period. His research interests include the deep-sea record from ODP and DSDP sites, Eemian and Plio-Pleistocene palynology in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, high-latitude Cenozoic palynology, and the morphology, taxonomy, and nomenclature of dinoflagellates. He is deeply involved in international stratigraphic initiatives, contributing to the definition of geological boundaries such as the Quaternary base and the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in formal stratigraphic definitions, paleoenvironmental reconstructions using dinoflagellate cysts, and Anthropocene research. His work spans biostratigraphy, paleoclimatology, and taxonomic systematics, with a focus on integrating biological and geological data for chronostratigraphic precision. Chair, ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (2012–present) Chair, Canadian Stratigraphy Commission (2010–present) Associate Editor, Journal of Paleontology (2004–present) Editorial Board Member, Palynology , Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology , and Boreas Professor Head has supervised numerous graduate students at Brock University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Toronto, including PhD and MSc candidates working on dinoflagellate cysts, Quaternary stratigraphy, and paleoenvironmental analysis. His research has been supported by international collaborations and contributions to major stratigraphic working groups. He leads research activities within the Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group at the University of Cambridge and maintains active laboratory and field-based research in marine sediment analysis, contributing to global paleoenvironmental databases and taxonomic standards.
Professor Kathryn Amos holds the Chair in GeoEnergy at the University of Adelaide, leading multidisciplinary research and education initiatives focused on subsurface energy resources in the context of net-zero emissions. Her academic affiliation is with the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. Previously, she served as Head of the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources (2020-2022) and Associate Dean (Future Students and Student Experience) (2018-2019). Her research centers on clastic sedimentology, examining sediment transport and deposition across modern environments and the rock record, with applications in ancient depositional systems and engagement with industry and government stakeholders. Current projects, in collaboration with Dr. Rachelle Kernen, investigate salt-sediment interactions in South Australian basins, particularly the Flinders Ranges, which serve as critical analogues for subsurface energy applications and Snowball Earth glaciation studies. Recent publications highlight her expertise in geological storage of CO2 and hydrogen, salt basin dynamics, and Neoproterozoic stratigraphy. She has secured over $13 million AUD in grants for geological storage research. Professor Amos is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students in sedimentology and geoenergy-related fields.
Prof. Ksenija A. Stojanović holds the position of Full Professor at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Chemistry , Department of Applied Chemistry. She has been affiliated with the Faculty since 2008, progressing from Assistant Professor (2008–2013), to Associate Professor (2013–2018), and Full Professor since 2018. Education: PhD in Chemistry (2000–2004), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade Postdoctoral studies at the Institute of Petroleum Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (2006–2007) Research focuses on organic geochemistry , chemometry , and environmental chemistry . Her work includes biomarker analysis, oil-source rock correlations, and studies on lignite and lacustrine sediments. She has led or contributed to national and international projects, including investigations into lignite utilization and organophosphate flame retardants. Awards: 2006: Best Paper Prize for Young Researchers at the International Conference on Oil and Gas Chemistry 2011: American Chemical Society Reviewing Award Administrative roles include serving as Chair of the Admission Committee for Basic and Integrated Studies (2016–2022) and Deputy Chairman of the Faculty Board (2018–2020). She is a member of the Serbian Chemical Society and European Association of Organic Geochemists. Her teaching covers courses such as Industrial Chemistry , Geochemistry and Soil Pollutants , and Biomarkers in Geological Evolution .
Prof. Katerina Harvati is a Professor of Paleoanthropology at the Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, and Director of the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment. She holds adjunct positions at the University of Bergen and leads interdisciplinary research on human evolution, including Neanderthal biology, modern human origins, and virtual anthropology methods. Her work integrates genetics, morphology, and environmental data to explore hominin dispersals and adaptation. Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology (City University of New York, 2001), Habilitation (University of Tübingen, 2009). Former roles include Assistant Professor at NYU (2001–2004) and Senior Researcher at the Max Planck Institute (2004–2009). Research focuses on Neanderthal paleobiology, primate evolution, and Southeast European paleoanthropology. Fieldwork in Greece has yielded key findings on Middle Pleistocene hominins and megafauna interactions. Her ERC grants include PaGE (2012–2016), CROSSROADS (2017–2022), and FIRSTSTEPS (2022–2028). Awards: Leibniz Prize (2021), Baden-Württemberg Research Prize (2014), Shanghai Archaeology Award (2023) Leadership: ESHE President, Editor-in-Chief of PaleoAnthropology , Co-director of the DFG Centre 'Words, Bones, Genes, Tools' Labs/Teams: Senckenberg Centre, Tübingen’s Archaeological Sciences Institute, and collaborations in Greece and Norway. Current projects include the MEGAPAL Survey in the Megalopolis Basin and studies on hominin-environment interactions.
Marta Arzarello is an Associate Professor in Prehistory and Protohistory at the Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Ferrara (Italy). She serves as Deputy Director of the Department of Humanistic Studies and Coordinator of the Doctorate in Human Sciences and the International Master in Quaternary and Prehistory, both funded by Erasmus Mundus. She has coordinated numerous international projects (FP7, Erasmus Mundus, CNR-CNRST) and acted as EC expert since 2011. Director of over 60 Master’s and 21 PhD theses Director of excavations at Pirro Nord and Ciota Ciara Focus on Middle/Lower Palaeolithic technology, first European peopling, island colonization, and Sahara cultures Her recent publications (2025–2024) span archaeology , anthropology , and lithic technology , addressing topics such as: Neurocranial morphology of Palaeolithic remains Lithic analysis of Lower Palaeolithic sites Diet and subsistence strategies in Palaeolithic Italy Use-wear analysis for tool functionality Early human presence in Western Europe She received the Prix Prince Rainier III de Monaco (2018) for research at Pirro Nord. Her work integrates field campaigns, experimental archaeology, and museum curation to reconstruct human behavior and environmental interactions.
Susan Marie Mentzer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences within the Faculty of Science at the University of Tübingen, specializing in geoarchaeology with emphasis on micromorphological analysis of anthropogenic sediments. She leads the Geoarchaeology research group at the Institute for Archaeological Sciences (INA) and is actively affiliated with the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Anthropology with Concentration in Archaeology and Minor in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (2011), an M.A. in Archaeology with Minor in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (2005), and a B.A. in Archaeology and Earth Sciences summa cum laude from Boston University (2003). Her doctoral research focused on the Macro- and Micro-scale Geoarchaeology of Üçağızlı Caves in Turkey. Mentzer's research integrates micromorphology with micro-FTIR and micro-XRF to analyze Paleolithic caves, Neolithic tells, and experimental materials like plaster and wood ash. Her work spans Eurasian Paleolithic sites, African Middle Stone Age contexts, and ritual spaces, with particular expertise in combustion features, site formation processes, and human-environment interactions during the forager-farmer transition. Recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation in analyzing rockshelters, hearths, and stratigraphic sequences across global contexts from South Africa to Anatolia. As an Associate Editor for Geoarchaeology , she contributes significantly to scholarly discourse. Her methodological leadership is evident in developing online teaching strategies during the pandemic, as documented in The SAA Archaeological Record . Mentzer teaches specialized courses including Anthropogenic Deposits and Site Formation Processes, Stratigraphy, Archaeological Micromorphology, and Microanalytics. Her laboratory work involves stable isotope analysis, micro-XRF, and experimental archaeology to reconstruct ancient human behaviors through sediment micromorphology.
William Snyder is a Researcher at the University of Tübingen , affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the Department of Geosciences . He works within the Palaeoanthropology and Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology groups, focusing on human origins and evolutionary studies. Doctorate in Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology (2023) M.Sc. in Archaeological Sciences/Paleoanthropology (2018) B.Sc. in Anthropology and Human Biology (2015) His research spans biological and cultural evolution in hominins, technological behaviors in hominins and non-human primates, and human cognition . Recent work explores stone toolmaking , cultural transmission , and evolutionary methodologies , with a focus on experimental approaches. Key trends in his publications include: Investigating whether early hominin toolmakers exhibited culture Challenging assumptions about cultural transmission mechanisms Linking vocal tract evolution to communication Assessing educational tools like video games for teaching human origins He is associated with the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in paleoanthropology and archaeology.
Name: Yamandu Hilbert Affiliation: Department of Palaeoanthropology, Faculty of Science, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen Research Focus: Palaeolithic and Neolithic archaeology, raw material exploitation, use-wear analysis, human-environmental interactions, lithic technology, experimental archaeology, spatial distribution of stone tools in prehistoric sites across the Near East and beyond. Education: PhD, Doctor of Philosophy (REVIVE 2013) B.A., Ur- und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie und Archäologie des Mittelalters, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2008) Research Trends: Analysis of Nubian Complex and bidirectional blade technology Studies on glacial refugia and human dispersals Woodworking tool functionality in South Arabia Geospatial methods for site discovery in Arabian deserts Collaborations: Co-authorships with Rose, Crassard, Parton, et al. Participation in Saudi-French Archaeological Mission Contributions to La Trobe Archaeological Research in Oman
Mans Schepers is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Arts at University of Groningen, specializing in the Archaeology of Northwestern Europe. His research examines human-environment interactions through historical ecology and landscape archaeology approaches. Schepers investigates complex relationships between human societies and natural environments, focusing on: Reconstruction of past vegetation through plant remains analysis Modeling human adaptation in coastal landscapes Transdisciplinary approaches to landscape history Art-environment relationships in coastal settings His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent attention to methodological innovations in environmental archaeology and paleoethnobotany. Recent work integrates archaeological evidence with ecological data to reconstruct historical land use practices in wetland environments. Schepers has received several honors including the Second prize in the 'Meer gezonde jaren' Hackathon Faculty of Arts nominee award Cum laude PhD distinction He supervises doctoral research on artistic approaches to coastal landscapes and leads NWO-funded projects examining coastal defense strategies and early crop cultivation.
Dr Chris Klootwijk is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University's Research School of Earth Sciences (ANU-RSES), holding this position since 2009. Previously, he served as a Visiting Fellow at ANU's Department of Geology/Earth and Marine Sciences (2000–2008) and held roles such as Principal Research Scientist at BMR/AGSO (1986–2000). His academic journey includes a PhD in Geophysics from Utrecht University (1974), alongside multiple MSc and BSc degrees in Geology and Geophysics from the same institution. He has extensive international experience, including roles at institutions in France, the Netherlands, and India. Education: PhD (1974), MSc Geophysics (1974), MSc Geology (1970), BSc Geology (1968) – all from Utrecht University Graduate Certificate in Object-Oriented Programming (2002) Key Appointments: Research Fellow, ANU-RSES (1975–1980) Seismologist at Shell International (1975) Lecturer at Utrecht University (1971–1975) Research Interests: Dr Klootwijk specializes in tectonic evolution, paleomagnetism, and geodynamics. His work focuses on topics such as the Alice Springs Orogeny, Australia-Asia convergence, Tasmanides evolution, and Paleozoic plate configurations. He employs paleomagnetic methods to investigate orogenic processes, continental collision, and paleogeographic reconstructions. Publications: His research spans over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on Paleozoic tectonics, paleomagnetic dating, and continental dynamics. Recent work includes studies on Pangea-B configurations and inertial interchange true polar wander events. Affiliations & Labs: Based at the Black Mountain Laboratory (J6 room 204), he contributes to the Palaeoenvironments research group. His work integrates field data with advanced paleomagnetic analysis to address global geodynamic questions.
Wolfgang Neubauer is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna and Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology. He also serves as Vice Director of the Vienna Institute for Archaeological Science and heads the Digital Humanities research focus at the university. His interdisciplinary work integrates geophysics, computer science, and archaeology. Education: Habilitation in Prehistoric Archaeology (University of Vienna, 2008) Dr. Phil. in Prehistoric Archaeology (University of Vienna, 2000) Mag. Phil. in Prehistory, Archaeometry, and Mathematics (University of Vienna, 1993) Mathematics and Computer Science studies (Vienna University of Technology) Research Interests: Neubauer specializes in non-invasive archaeological prospection methods, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR), magnetometry, and 3D laser scanning. His research spans Neolithic circular ditches, Roman urban landscapes (e.g., Carnuntum), Viking sites, and digital reconstruction of cultural heritage. Key themes include landscape archaeology, interdisciplinary methodologies, and virtual heritage preservation. Publication Trends: His recent articles focus on large-scale geophysical surveys, integrated data visualization, and digital documentation of archaeological sites. Common themes include Roman military infrastructure, Neolithic monuments, Viking landscapes, and advanced prospection techniques, with strong emphasis on computational methods and interdisciplinary collaboration. Awards: Fellow, Society of Antiquaries London (2019) Corresponding Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences (2018) Pioneer in Open Innovation in Science (2017) Austrian Scientist of the Year (2015) Austrian Champion in European Research (2008) Grants & Advising: Neubauer has secured over €14M in research funding, including projects from the European Union, Austrian Science Fund (FWF), and Ludwig Boltzmann Society. He advises doctoral candidates as speaker of the PhD College for Archaeological Prospection and has supervised 8 PhD and 7 Master's theses. Major grants include the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project and ArchPro Carnuntum. Labs & Teams: He directs the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute, coordinating international teams for projects across 20+ countries. The institute develops cutting-edge prospection technologies and collaborates with institutions like the University of Birmingham and Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage.
Elena Amelie Hensel-Karamalakidou is a Researcher specializing in Geoarchaeology and Environmental Risks at the Institute for Ecosystem Research (IÖF), Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel. Her work focuses on rockshelter deposits across Ethiopia, Namibia, and Germany, integrating geomorphological and geochemical approaches to understand human-environment interactions during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Her research interests encompass Geoarchaeology, Geomorphology, Quaternary Research, Micromorphology, Sedimentology, and Geochemistry. She investigates human-environment relationships through detailed analysis of shelter and cave deposits, with particular emphasis on volcanic rockshelters in Southwest Ethiopia and desert margin sites in Namibia. Her methodological toolkit includes microstratigraphic analysis, hydrological modeling, and multi-scale environmental reconstruction. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong focus on Ethiopian Highlands rockshelters (particularly Sodicho), Namib Desert sequences (Pockenbank Rock Shelter), and interdisciplinary approaches combining geoarchaeology with paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Key trends include water resource analysis in mountainous regions, volcanic sediment micromorphology, and Late Pleistocene human migration corridors. Her professional trajectory demonstrates continuous academic engagement since 2014 through roles at Universität zu Köln and current position at Kiel University. While no formal awards are documented, her active participation in major conferences (INQUA, European Geosciences Union) reflects scholarly recognition. As a current research associate, she contributes to the DFG-funded project 'Out of Africa – Late Pleistocene Rock Shelter Stratigraphies and Palaeoenvironments in Northeast Africa' (SFB 806), focusing on geoarchaeological investigations at multiple spatial scales. Her work forms critical components of interdisciplinary teams examining culture-environment interactions during human mobility in the Late Quaternary.
