Professor Mary Gagen

• Blue Carbon around the Isle of Man: Sedimentary Organic Carbon Storage in Seagrass Meadows, Saltmarshes, and Offshore Mud (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Richard Unsworth

• A Dendrochronological Approach to the Study of chronic Oak Decline in the forest of dean (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Neil Loader

• GEC252L Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Local

  Nod y modiwl yw ennill profiad o'r sgiliau daearyddol y mae eu hangen i archwilio'r amgylcheddau daearyddiaeth ffisegol a dynol o'n cwmpas. Defnyddiwn ein hasedau daearyddol lleol a rhanbarthol sylweddol i archwilio nifer o themâu ym maes daearyddiaeth ddynol a ffisegol. Y nodau cyffredinol yw nodi, dadansoddi a meithrin dealltwriaeth o'r dirwedd ddaearyddol amrywiol a¿r nodweddion cynhenid yn Abertawe a de Cymru. Mae'r modiwl yn cynnwys hyd at 10 niwrnod maes 'dewis a dethol', gyda thema daearyddiaeth ddynol, daearyddiaeth ffisegol neu ddaearyddiaeth ddynol a ffisegol. Gofynnir i fyfyrwyr ddewis mynd i 4 o'r diwrnodau maes. Bydd myfyrwyr sy¿n dilyn y modiwl hwn yn ennill profiad mewn dylunio ymchwil, methodolegau, dadansoddi data a dulliau cyflwyno. Gall myfyrwyr sy'n dilyn y cwrs maes hwn ddewis canolbwyntio ar naill ai elfennau daearyddiaeth ffisegol neu ddynol neu'r diwrnodau dynol/ffisegol cymysg, neu gymysgedd o'r tri. Mae'r cwrs yn hyblyg iawn o ganlyniad i'r ystod o bynciau y gallwn eu harchwilio yn yr ardal leol a rhanbarthol. Bydd deunyddiau darlith a deunyddiau ar-lein yn ategu pob diwrnod maes. Cynhelir y diwrnodau ar adegau gwahanol yn ystod y Semester a'r myfyrwyr eu hunain fydd yn cadw eu lle ar y diwrnodau maes o'u dewis. Thema'r daith yw "De Cymru: Amgylcheddau, Tirweddau, Treftadaeth a Chymuned". The module is concerned with gaining experience of the geographical skills needed to explore the physical and human geography environments around us. We use our considerable local and regional geographical assets to explore multiple themes in human and physical geography. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographical landscape and inherent features in Swansea and South Wales. The module is run via up to 10 'pick and mix' field days, with a human, physical or human and physical geography theme. Students will be required to chose 4 of the field days to attend. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods. Students taking this field course can choose to focus on either the physical or human geography elements or the mixed human/physical days, or a mix of all three. Maximum flexibility is afforded by the range of topics we can explore in the local and regional area. Each day will be accompanied by online and lecture materials. The days will be run at various times in the Semester and students will book on to their chosen field days independently. The theme of the trip is "South Wales: Environments, Landscapes, Heritage and Community".

• GEG331 Dissertation Report: Geography

  The dissertation is an original, substantive and independent research project in an aspect of Geography. The dissertation research project is based on 20 - 25 days of primary research (e.g fieldwork, lab work, archive work) and several months of analysis and write-up. The end result must be less than 10,000 words of text. The dissertation offers you the chance to follow your personal interests and to demonstrate your capabilities as a Geographer. During the course of your dissertation, you will be supported by a peer-led discussion group and a staff supervisor. Lectures and guidance are delivered via this module and peer and staff led Dissertation Support Groups are delivered via GEG332. Participating in Dissertation Support Groups is vital, and is assessed and, in these groups, students will provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. This support and supervision is delivered through GEG332, which is a co- requisite.

• GEG332 Dissertation Support: Geography

  This module provides structured, student-led peer-group support and academic staff group supervision for students undertaking the 30-credit 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module. This support and supervision is assessed through the submission of the Dissertation Outline and the Dissertation Support Group Reflection and Attendance Log. Working within a supervised Student Peer Group, students have the opportunity to provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. Group sessions are the main support provision as student¿s work through their Dissertation. This module complements the 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module, which is a co-requisite.

Swansea University Science for Schools Scheme (s4). Part of the pan Wales Trio Sci Cymru programme S4 is a four year research and outreach project which explores how STEM outreach can increase the inclusivity and accessibility of science to demographics with traditionally low participation in science and higher education. 

Teaching interests

GEG252MB Geographical Field Work Skills: Malaysian, Borneo

The module is concerned with identifying and defining geographical questions within the tropical rainforest environment of the Sabah, Malaysian Borneo and applying relevant geographical skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. This fieldwork-based module focuses on the physical geography of wet tropical environments, hydrological and geomorphological processes, the nature and dynamics of tropical rainforest vegetation and ecology and the impacts of logging and conversion to agriculture, and particularly oil palm and current and predicted climatic change. Land policy and land management practices are a key theme. Some aspects of the human environment are also covered. The fieldweek module introduces students to all aspects of project work (identifying and defining geographical problems; formulation of aims, research questions and hypotheses; formulation of an appropriate research design to answer these questions; choice and use of field measurement techniques and field observation; data analysis and interpretation; oral presentation of findings; and structuring and production of academic written reports). A key aim is to prepare students to be able to undertake a final-year dissertation in physical geography. The module comprises preparatory meetings, a 14 day field course, which typically runs immediately prior to Easter, and 2 hours of analytical classes during Teaching Block 2 prior to submittal of project reports.

GEG358 Climate of the last 1000 years

The aim of this module is to provide the participants with the relevant skills to place the widely reported anthropogenic influences upon climate into the perspective of a naturally changing climatic system. The module focuses upon the techniques used to reconstruct changes in climate over the last 1000 years and presents reconstructions at differing temporal scales. The module is directed towards students with a basic scientific and mathematical background.

Research

Dendroclimatology

Exploring past climate information in tree rings. Measurements of tree ring width, wood density and stable isotope variability are investigated as past climate archives.

Tree response to environmental change

Exploring the physical and chemical changes trees undergo as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise.

Forest health under climate change

Oak decline syndromes are becoming more widespread in the UK; we are exploring tree growth histories to improve our understanding of the tee growth response to these complex disease syndromes.

Cloudy records from ancient trees

Developing palaeocloud records from the annual rings of sub-fossil pine trees in high latitude lakes and bogs.

Tropical dendroclimatology

Exploring methods for accessing the palaeoclimate information stored in ancient tropical trees.

Water use efficiency of trees

Exploring how tree water use patterns are changing in response to rising CO2 and climate change.