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Investigation of coastal sediments. Researcher walks along a shore with pools of shallow water and sediment
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  • Physical Geography PhD

Physical Geography PhD

For over 25 years, the University of 69成人网 has taken a leading role in physical geography research and its application.

From investigating the ways in which the world’s largest rivers shape their landscapes, to examining the impacts of iceberg scour on the sea-bed, our physical geography staff and PhD students are at the leading edge of process and landform analysis and modelling. We are also working to unravel evidence of past environmental change, from analyses of climate discourses in historical documents, to research at the interface of geomorphology and archaeology.

The majority of our work has real-world application. Data generated by researchers in our Centre for Earth Observation Science and Past Human and Environment Dynamics research excellence group is being used, for example, in the characterisation of hydrocarbon reservoirs, in estuarine management, in the engineering of managed retreat sites, and to extend rainfall and tropical cyclone records in India and southern Africa.

From investigating the ways in which the world’s largest rivers shape their landscapes, to examining the impacts of iceberg scour on the sea-bed, our physical geography staff and PhD students are at the leading edge of process and landform analysis and modelling. We are also working to unravel evidence of past environmental change, from analyses of climate discourses in historical documents, to research at the interface of geomorphology and archaeology.

Our physical geography PhD students have gone on to a variety of different roles following the successful completion of their research. These include academic posts as lecturers and postdoctoral research assistants at 69成人网 and elsewhere, plus research roles in, for example, the water industry. Many have gone on to management positions in related areas such as environmental management.

Key information

As a Physical Geography PhD student at 69成人网, you will benefit from:

  • a supervisory team comprising two or sometimes three members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional external supervisor from another School, another research institution, or industry.
  • desk space and access to a desktop PC, either in one of the postgraduate offices on the 6th floor of the award-winning Cockcroft Building, or within the adjacent Heavy Engineering Block.
  • access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the Aldrich Library and other campus libraries.
  • various state-of-the-art research facilities on the Moulsecoomb site, including specialist microbial and water quality laboratories, hydraulic flumes, an experimental river basin, a water efficiency laboratory, geochemical and geotechnical laboratories, microscopy laboratories (optical and scanning electron microscopes), and a concrete laboratory, as well as a large array of field equipment. All of these facilities are supported by a team of dedicated laboratory and workshop technicians.
  • laboratories, hydraulic flumes, an experimental river basin, a water efficiency laboratory, geochemical and geotechnical laboratories, microscopy laboratories (optical and scanning electron microscopes), molecular ecology laboratories, ecology laboratory and greenhouses, as well as a large array of field equipment, including state-of-the art drones. All of these facilities are supported by a team of dedicated laboratory and workshop technicians.

Academic environment

PhD students form an integral part of the School of Applied Sciences and take an active role in a range of intellectual and social activities within the school. All postgraduate students working on geography topics are integrated into one or more of our Centres of Research and Enterprise Excellence (COREs) or our Research and Enterprise Groups (REGs) (see below). These centres and groups provide you with opportunities to present ‘work in progress’ and network with other researchers.

The 69成人网 Doctoral College offer a training programme for postgraduate researchers, covering research methods and transferable (including employability) skills. Attendance at appropriate modules within this programme is encouraged, as is contribution to the school’s fortnightly seminar series. Academic and technical staff also provide more subject-specific training.

Research themes

Researchers within the School of Applied Sciences are engaged in work across a wide range of topic areas, and thus your PhD research could pursue interests in almost any area of physical geography. Our particular areas of specialism currently include:

  • Coastal and estuarine processes and management
  • Coastal sediment records
  • Duricrusts in tropical landscapes
  • Environmental geochemistry
  • Flood dynamics
  • Fluvial processes and landforms
  • Freshwater hydrology and ecology
  • Glacial and periglacial sedimentology
  • Historical climatology
  • Quaternary and Holocene environmental change
  • Recent sea level change
  • Wetland ecology and management

More detail about each of these research themes is provided under the following Research Centre and Group pages:

  • Centre for Earth Observation Science 
  • Ecology, Conservation and Society Research and Knowledge Exchange Group
  • Past Human and Environment Dynamics Research and Knowledge Exchange Group

Some of our supervisors 

Profile photo for Dr Heidi Burgess

For both MRes and PhD, I am particularly interested in supervising projects in the area of聽 intertidal, estuarine and riverine water / sediment interaction and climate. Examples of applications could include:

  • Quantifying the impact that different types of Nature Based Solutions have on Riverine Flood Management.
  • The impact that drainage systems have on the development of Managed Realignment sites and the colonisation by intertidal flora.
  • How mycelium develops in newly inundated intertidal wetlands.
  • Furthering the understanding into the processes of how terrestrial soil transforms into intertidal sediment when inundated by saline water.
  • The impact of Coastal Managed and Managed Realignment design has on fish habitats and how engineering could be used to increase habitat suitability, impacting positively on fish stocks. (see: - MR Fish Geomorphology (ICECM 2019) (brighton.ac.uk))
  • The impact of changing weather patterns on intertidal environments.
  • Projects related to the CHASM project , particularly the sediment and hydro elements.

Along with any project which brings together the following elements: Natural Flood Management, habitat creation, eco-system services, impact of sea-level rise and impact on health and wellbeing.

Profile photo for Prof David Nash

I am interested in supervising PhD and MRes students in the following areas: reconstructing historical climate variability and change; arid geomorphology; environmental change in southern Africa; silcrete provenancing in archaeology.

Profile photo for Prof Martin Smith

PhD projects in geochemistry and mineralogy specifically applied to: ore deposit genesis and mineral exploration, critical metals and the environmental impacts of mining; Hydrogeology and the behaviour of nutrient and heavy metals (rural and urban environments); environmental controls on material corrosion.

I contribute to the Centre for Earth Observation Science (in terms of mineral resources, petrology and environmental geochemistry) and the Centre for Aquatic Environments (in terms of hydrogeology and hydrochemistry) and am happy to supervise projects in both these areas as part of the MRes Geosciences and Mres Aquatic Environments. Specific projects at present could include:

Synthesis and characterisation of REE-bearing clays.

Breakdown of sulphide minerals in the environment.

Geology and genesis of REE and other mineral deposits.

Weathering processes in REE mineralised carbonatites.

Microbial corrosion of steel in marine environments.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of halogen-bearing silicates.

Unsaturated zone flow processes and groundwater chemistry.

Infiltration water quality from sustainable drainage systems.

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit .

Making an application

Once you have prepared a first-rate application you can apply to the University of 69成人网 through our . When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of 69成人网 staff. We strongly recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Sign in to our to begin.

Fees and funding

 Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2024–25

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

MPhil/PhD
 Full-timePart-time

UK

£4,786 

£2,393

International (including EU)

£15,900

N/A

International students registered in the School of Humanities and Social Science or in the School of Business and Law

£14,500

N/A


PhD by Publication
Full-time Part-time
 N/A  £2,393

Contact 69成人网 Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of 69成人网 we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the 69成人网 Doctoral College page.

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

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