Prof Jason Kirby

Professor Jason Kirby is the Director of the School of Biological and Environmental Science and a Professor in Physical Geography.

My research Interests include:
Holocene sea-level changes and coastal evolution
Quaternary micropalaeontology (pollen, diatoms and foraminifera)
Sediments in coastal systems
Vegetation history, palaeoecology, and the use of fungal spores as indicators of herbivory

My research on reconstructing past environmental change includes:

Holocene sea-level change and coastal evolution.
My main aims are to investigate the causes and effects of sea-level changes on a variety of temporal and spatial scales, utilising intertidal sediment records. A particular focus is the use of saltmarsh records as a means to explore past relative sea-level changes in the last few thousand years. This involves the analysis of diatoms and foraminifera preserved in the sediment that can be quantitatively related to a former sea level. When combined with a good chronology (typically derived from radiocarbon analyses and other geochemical markers) a high-resolution sea-level record can be derived for the past few thousand years or so. I am also interested in longer-term relative sea-level records, and the influence of former ice sheets on sea-level rise and vertical land movement (induced by former ice and ocean loading on the Earth’s surface). I have also worked on coastal evolution and floodplain development using litho- and biostratigraphic techniques in back barrier coastal environments (e.g. Dungeness and Romney Marsh) and inner estuary perimarine settings (e.g. Humber estuary).

Vegetation history and palaeoecology.
My interests here broadly involve using pollen to investigate how groundwater level changes are expressed in vegetation successional pathways, and how these relate to sea-level changes. I have studied fen carr peat as a means to reconstruct Holocene vegetation history, non-analogue habitats and human impact. Recent projects have explored the efficacy of coprophilous fungi as an indicator of Quaternary landscape change, particularly relating to animals.

My research on contemporary coastal systems includes response of intertidal foreshores to waves, tides and storm events, and the management of sedimentation problems in ports and harbours, and the in situ bioremediation of contaminants.

Teaching:
I teach on Environmental Change and Coastal Management modules and contribute to other undergraduate modules in the area of physical geography and environmental science.

Degrees

1999, University of Hull, United Kingdom, PhD 'Holocene floodplain vegetation dynamics and sea-level change in the lower Aire valley, Yorkshire'
1994, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, BSc (Hons) Geography

Certifications

2016, Advance HE, United Kingdom, Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy

Academic appointments

School Director, School of Biological & Environmental Science, Liverpool John Moores University, 2020 - present
Subject Head - Geography & Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014 - 2020
Programme Leader - Geography, School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2007 - 2013
Lecturer, Biological & Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2004 - 2007
Post Doctoral Research Fellow, School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Plymouth University, 2000 - 2002