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Research

Earth and Environmental Sciences

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The Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR) has an international reputation for its innovative and pioneering research and this centre encompasses research within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. We provide a stimulating and well equipped environment for inter-disciplinary research into Earth systems and environmental problems, planetary sciences, geochemistry and cosmochemistry, with strong collaborations with the Planetary and Space Science Research Institute. Staff have a wide range of expertise, from sedimentology to isotope geochemistry, and palaeontology to volcanology and research topics are strongly focused on the geological record of climate change, isotope geochemistry, mountain uplift, climate change and planetary surface processes.

Key facts

  • In the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 70 per cent of CEPSAR’s research was recognised as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ and was graded 5 in the previous RAE (2001).
  • We conduct field work and collaborative research projects with scientists from all continents.
  • Wide range of state-of-the-art research laboratories and equipment.
  • Typically there are several NERC studentships and several university-based studentships available each year. We also have occasional industry-based studentships.
  • At any one time there are over 20 full-time research students studying projects that cover the whole range of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
  • Competition for places is high with nearly all our intake having a masters degree.

Facilities

Our analytical laboratories are well equipped and are at the forefront of technological development. Our clean chemical laboratories for sample preparation are among the best in the world. Analytical facilities include three multi-collector thermal ionisation mass spectrometers, a quadrupole mass spectrometer for trace element analysis, and an elemental analyser for bulk carbon, nitrogen and sulphur analyses. The centre also has a state-of-the-art laser argon geochronology and noble gas analysis laboratory. Supporting facilities include laboratories for X-ray fluorescence and electron microprobe analysis, image processing, environmental sciences, palaeontological preparation, and a range of geophysical equipment. Electron microscopy is also available in a shared University facility.

Further information

If you have an enquiry specific to this research area please contact:

Name:
Astrid Peterkin
Email:
science-phd-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Phone:
+44 (0)1908 659845

For general enquiries please contact the Research Degrees Team via the link under 'Your questions' further down the page.

Publications

Research publications by Open University staff are available through Open Research Online (ORO), the university's repository of research publications and other research outputs. ORO can be searched or browsed by staff name or subject.

The following list, generated from ORO, provides a flavour of the most recently published work in Earth and Environmental Sciences: