I would like to welcome you to the School of Environmental Sciences! I hope that your time with us in Liverpool is productive and enjoyable. You will be joining one of our two Departments, Geography and Planning, or Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences. Together these departments encompass an enormous range of activities across the disciplines of Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, Ecology & Marine Biology, Geology & Geophysics and Ocean Science.

Collectively the School’s multi-disciplinary teaching and research aims to benefit society and the planet by informing the transition to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future; and respond and lead the challenges and debates facing global society in the face of environmental change. We wish you well as you embark on an education which will help you to help society to address the global environmental challenges of the 21st century.

Prof Doug Mair, Dean of Environmental Sciences

Running from Monday 18 September to Friday 22 September, Welcome Week will allow new students to engage with a range of activities designed to welcome you to the University, explore the city and make friends.

The School will be running a number of activities including welcome talks, field activities and an opportunity to meet your Programme Director. Schedules for your programme are available below.

We have created a School Welcome Module in Canvas that will act as your guide during Welcome Week and the first few weeks as you settle into your studies. Here you will find an overview of the policies, procedures and support available to you, a School newsletter, useful phrases and an introduction to your School Student-led societies. This will allow you to engage with the material at your own pace ahead of teaching, which starts on Monday 25 September 2023. Details on campus Welcome Week activities can also be found here, as well as in the My Liverpool app.

A link to the School Welcome Week Canvas page is available here.

We have put together a School Welcome newsletter for you, which is full of important and helpful information for the start of the 2023/24 academic year and beyond. Inside, you will find information on your Programme Directors and key School contacts, as well as the student societies that our School has to offer. You will also find helpful guidance and contact details for key University services, information on the specialist software available to you and an academic year plan to help you organise your time. 

Welcome Week Newsletter 2023/24 

Department of Geography and Planning

Dr John Boyle, Programme Director for Physical Geography

I am a Reader in Physical Geography, and I teach topics around water – particularly lakes – and the flow of materials through the landscape. This encompasses landscape evolution since the last ice age, nutrient pollution from farming and residential waste leading to eutrophication, and heavy metal contamination associated with mining and motor vehicles.  I’m a strong proponent of student centred learning, and specialise in laboratory and field teaching. As Programme Director for BSc I work with other programme directors and our Student Experience Team to support your learning experience, to keep you informed about decisions you need to make, liaising with you via the Staff-Student Liaison Committee, and working to update the curriculum each year. I look forward to seeing you!

Prof Peter North, Programme Director for Human Geography

I am a Professor of Alternative Economies at the University of Liverpool, UK. I gained my BA in History and Politics in 1984, my MA in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford (1993) and my PhD from the School for Advanced Urban Studies at the University of Bristol (1997). My current research focuses on social and solidarity economies as tools for constructing and rethinking alternative geographies of money, entrepreneurship, and livelihoods. This recent research focus is on these ideas in contemporary Poland. I have also researched and published on low carbon transitions at the city and community level, especially processes of policy formation and partnership working between the public, private and community sectors around strategies for local economic development within an overall framework of resource constraint, climate change and economic crisis. I contrast this with a focus on more radical politics of climate change, especially ecologically-focused social movements engaged in struggles about the implications of anthropogenic climate change and resource constraints for both humans and the wider ecosystems upon which we depend. In this way, I am interested both in how we might challenge problematic practices, and develop better ways to live ‘well’.

Dr Tatiana Moreira de Souza, Programme Director for Planning

I am a lecturer in Planning. My research interests span urban regeneration, neighbourhood change, neighbourhood and community, and housing policy. My research has focussed on how residents interact in neighbourhoods that have undergone urban regeneration, on social mix policies and the governance of diversity, and on rental housing, particularly security of tenure and the regulation of short- and long-term rental housing.
Before joining the University of Liverpool, I worked as a lecturer and research fellow at Oxford Brookes University and as a research associate at University College London. I have taught in urban and international planning, urban regeneration, housing, and urban design modules, and undertaken internationally comparative mixed-method research. Some of the research projects I worked on includes the €6.5 million EU FP7-funded research project DIVERCITIES, during which I gained in-depth knowledge of issues related to migration, ethnic minority entrepreneurship and the governance of diversity in a European comparative perspective, and on a project led by Professor Claire Colomb, from UCL that investigates the regulatory responses from 12 European cities to the rapidly developing phenomenon of short-term (holiday) rentals, facilitated by online platforms.
I hold a BSc in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a MSc in Urban Regeneration and a PhD in Planning Studies from University College London.

Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences

Dr Rob Duller, Earth Sciences

I am a Senior Lecturer in Earth Science and the programme director for Geology, Geology with Physical Geography (GPG) and Geophysics at Liverpool. My research activities focus on understanding how sedimentary layers record information about past landscapes, covering topics such flow dynamics, delta and river system dynamics and natural carbon sequestration. I teach a number of laboratory-based and field-based courses within the Geology and GPG programmes including GeoEnergy, Current Issues, Geodynamics of the Mediterranean and Applied Geology and Geohazards of the Canary Islands. I will oversee the running of the Geology and GPG programmes and ensure that your experience is fun, stimulating and challenging. Along with all other academic staff I will help you navigate through your degree and help you acquire the key skills for your chosen career path.

Prof Jonathan Sharples, Programme Director for Ocean Sciences and Climate Science

I am Jonathan Sharples and I will be a key contact for you during your studies. Along with your personal tutor, I can answer your questions on how your degree programme is designed, your option choices and the sorts of careers or further study that you might be looking at as your studies progress. I am the programme director for our undergraduate degrees in ocean science, and  I oversee the teaching in all of our oceans lecture modules. I have worked as an oceanographer in research institutes and universities in the UK, the USA and New Zealand. My research and teaching focuses on the interface between the physics and biology of the ocean – for instance, how ocean tides and currents affect the growth and distributions of the microscopic plankton. I am sure you will find our ocean science group to be enthusiastic about our teaching and research, and our aim is to encourage that same enthusiasm in our students. We are looking forward to meeting you, and getting you started on this new stage in your studies. 

Dr Jack Thomson – Programme Director for Ecology and Marine Biology

Hi, I’m Jack Thomson, Programme Director for the Marine Biology programmes. I studied Marine Biology and Shellfish & Fisheries at university, and now my main interests are in animal behaviour and physiology. Most of my work explores how marine organisms, such as crabs, anemones and mussels, interact with the world around them (and why they do what they do).

As Programme Director I make sure that the programmes we provide are coherent and provide our students with all the tools, experiences and skills they need to enter into their career of choice. But I also try and ensure our students have the best possible experience they can while studying with us. It’s important that you find your time at University fulfilling and enjoyable, as a positive environment will help you get the most out of your degree. 

Dr Jonathan Green, Programme Director for Environmental Science

I joined the University of Liverpool in 2008 and have been Programme Director for Environmental Science since 2019. I was awarded Teacher of the Year for our Faculty in the Guild Awards in 2015, won a Faculty Learning and Teaching Prize in 2020 and am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Education is my passion and my goal is for our programme and all of the students that study it to be a success. Working with your tutors, it is my job to help you navigate your way through your studies and help to solve any problems that you might have. Our programme is unique in the School as it draws on modules and expertise of staff from across all of the other disciplines. This brings the unrivalled diversity and choice that defines our programme but also makes my job interesting as I liaise with colleagues from across the School and keep up to date with everything that is going on. I am also always looking for ways to improve the programme and what we offer to you, so please help me to do this either through the staff student liaison committee (SSLC) or by contacting me directly. Alongside learning and teaching, my research focusses on the behaviour, ecology and physiology of seabirds, with a focus on how we can help solve the challenges faced by what is now agreed to be the world’s most threated group of birds. Outside of work you will find me busy with family life and spending as much time in the outdoors as possible. 

Department of Geography and Planning 

Dr Andrew Hacket-Pain, Programme Director for MSc Environmental Sciences (EEES) and MSc Environment and Climate Change (GGME)

I am a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Planning, where I specialise in ecology. I am mainly focused on understanding and predicting the impact of global environmental change on forests. I use tree rings to monitor forest responses to climate change, and to predict the resilience of forests to drought and other stresses. I also work on tree reproduction and forest regeneration, particularly the ecology of seed masting. I am interested in understanding how plants regulate variability in reproductive effort, and how they synchronise this variability over space and time. These research topics fall within a broader interest in understanding the distribution, structure and functioning of forests, including understanding how they will respond to the broad suite of pressures associated with global environmental change.

My job as programme director is to manage the delivery of the overall programme. I work closely with the various academic coordinators of modules, ensuring the programme delivers on its learning objectives, and that you have the opportunity for stimulating interaction with our academics and your cohort of students. I’ll meet you at the start of the semester to introduce the programme and help you select modules, and I will be there alongside your academic advisor to help support you throughout the programme. 

Dr Ron Mahabir, Programme Director for MSc Geographic Data Science (EVGD) 

I am a Lecturer with the Geographic Data Science Lab in the Department of Geography and Planning. I am also the Programme Director for the Masters in Geographic Data Science. I am a Fulbright Scholar with a research focus on the intersection of geography and data science tools and data for understanding cities, and their emergent patterns overtime. My research covers various themes that includes natural language processing, data science/machine learning/artificial intelligence, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and open data.

Dr Arshad Isakjee, Programme Director for MA Researching Crisis and Change in Human Geography (RCCH).

I am Dr. Arshad Isakjee, and I am the course director for the Masters in Contemporary Human Geography here at the University of Liverpool. I am into my fourth year here as a Lecturer in Human Geography and my third as director of this programme. My research interests are on immigration, and how immigration is governed with respect to border security, race and policies around citizenship. Currently I am specifically researching EU border regimes in the Balkans and southern Europe. I also organise a research network across the University on borders race and migration. 

I look forward to meeting you all virtually and in person, fingers crossed, as we head towards the start of term. If you have any questions about the academic side of the course, then let me know and I will do my best to help.

Prof Alex Lord, Programme Director for Master of Civic Design Town and Regional Planning (CDMC) and MA Town and Regional Planning (CDTA).

I am the Lever Chair of Town and Regional Planning in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Liverpool. I work on the economic effects of urban and environmental planning and have conducted research for a wide range of funders including an Economic and Social Research Council ‘Urban Transformations’ award on the behavioural economics of real estate markets. I have also conducted research for the Royal Town Planning Institute on the potential value of planning as a formal animator of development as well as leading the consortium of universities (Cambridge, LSE, Oxford, Sheffield) which completed Valuing Planning Obligations 2016/17 for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. From 2019 onwards I have led a £1.5 multi-institution, trans-national project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Natural Science Foundation China on Land Value Capture.

Dr Urmila Jha Thakur, Programme Director for MSc Environmental Assessment and Management (CDEA) 

I have a PhD in Environmental Planning and Management and a MBA in Environmental Management from the University of Liverpool. My undergraduate degree which is Honors in Geography was based in India. My research interest is primarily on planning and management of environmental sustainability and in exploring ways for making policies, plans, programmes and project developments more environmentally sustainable. My specialism is primarily on Environmental Assessment (EA) and I have worked on EA both at project and strategic level (EIA & SEA). Using the lens of EA my research has explored topical issues such as health, climate change, education, green infrastructure, heritage and learning. I have been awarded thrice by the International Association of Impact Assessment for my work on EA. My research also looks into environmental sustainability within the business and urban context. I take a special interest on developing and emerging economies and have strong research links with India and other South Asian countries. My work is usually interdisciplinary and I particularly enjoy international comparative research. I currently serve as the Director of MSc Environmental Assessment Management Programme within the Department of Geography and Planning. I also serve as the PGT Director for the School of Environmental Sciences.

Dr Tom Moore, Programme Director for MA Housing & Community Planning (HCPM)

I am a Senior Lecturer in Planning and the Programme Director for the MA Housing & Community Planning. I conduct research on a range of housing and planning issues, with a particular emphasis on the role of communities in the planning, delivery, and management of housing. I am your main contact for any queries or information relating to the MA Housing & Community Planning programme, and I am delighted to welcome you to the University.

Dr Manuela Madeddu, Programme Director for UDPL MCD Urban Design and Planning (UDPL) 

I joined the University of Liverpool in August 2018 after having worked at London South Bank University for 11 years. Prior to that, I was a researcher at Politecnico di Torino (Italy) for five years. I qualified as an architect at the Politecnico di Torino and completed a PhD in Town Planning and Local Development at the same university. My PhD research focused on public engagement in pursuit of sustainable development through the UK planning system. This involved spending a year in the UK, studying at UCL Bartlett School of Planning. I also hold a Masters degree in Cultural Heritage Management from the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (Italy).

I am registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and have practised as an architect and urban designer in Italy and the UK, working on building and interior design, master planning and design codes. I have extensive teaching experience, especially in the field of urban design. My research focuses on cultural aspects of urban design and urban regulation. My teaching and research aims to bring together perspectives from architecture, urban design and urban planning.

You will be able to access your teaching timetable via the Timetable Portal and the Timetables app (the academic timetable will available closer to your start date). All students must ensure there are no clashes with their scheduled classes. If you need any help please contact the Student Experience team envsci@liverpool.ac.uk.

Your School Student Experience Team is your first stop if you need help with programme and module queries, timetabling, welfare and assessments. 

We are based in the Jane Herdman Building (for Earth Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Marine Biology and BSc Environmental Science) and the Roxby Building (for Geography and Planning).

Student Experience Team

Tel: 0151 794 5199 or 0151 794 2874
Email: envsci@liverpool.ac.uk
Monday – Friday 09:00-17:00 

Now you're a University of Liverpool student, make sure you keep up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from across the University.

Student intranet

Once you have activated your IT account, you will have access to the student intranet where you'll be able to access essential information during your time here at the University. 

Student news

Student news is updated almost daily with the latest news, advice, opportunities and discounts, especially for students.

We love sharing content that’s created by our students too, so if you’re a blogger or vlogger, or if you hope to become one, we’d love to hear from you.

Read the student news. 

Social media

Keep up-to-date with everything in the School by following our social media accounts. 

School of Environmental Sciences Facebook

School of Environmental Sciences Instagram

Discipline

Earth Sciences Twitter @LivuniEarthSci

Ecology and Marine Biology Twitter @LivuniEcoMar

Geography Twitter @livunigeog

Oceans Twitter @livunioceansci

Planning Twitter @livuniplanning 

Student Societies

Environmental Society 

Environmental Science Society is for anyone and everyone. From people who do not know where to start with making environmental changes to those already interested and on the road to sustainability. We plan to focus on a range of environmental issues, from plastic littering to biodiversity and climate change. This society is a place for environmental science students of all years to meet other people doing the same subject, or people from any background who wish to be involved.

Email: environmentalscience@society.liverpoolguild.org

Instagram: @liverpool_envs_soc

Geography Society  

Liverpool University Geography Society is here for all students of Geography and the Environmental Sciences. We will organise events and activities throughout the year for everyone to socialise and help with their studies; from bar crawls to days out, to movie nights and revision sessions, there is something for all Geographers to get involved this year at Liverpool. 

Email: Geography@society.liverpoolguild.org  

Facebook: Liverpool University Geography Society  

Instagram: livgeogsoc  

Twitter: livgeogsoc  

Herdman Society

The Herdman Geological Society at the University of Liverpool is one of the longest running in the world, with us previously celebrating our centenary in the 2017/18 academic year!   

We provide a supportive network for all students interested in geosciences and are inclusive of all years from freshers to PhD students.   

Accompanying socials throughout the year, we run a fresher's field trip at the beginning of your university experience and then an annual Herdman Ball, so there’s things for everyone to get involved with!   

Come join us and see what it is about geology that really rocks!  

Meet the Committee  

• Samuel Grainger – President  
• Maya Killcross – Vice President  
• Adam McCormack – Secretary 
• Henry Morten - Treasurer  
• Liam Rooney - Speaker Secretary  
• Jake  Roocroft – Events and Social Secretary  
• Holly Barber – Social Media Secretary  
• Katie Gilchrist – Symposium and GFGD Secretary  
• Olivia Brennan – Symposium and GFGS Secretary   

Email: herdman@society.liverpoolguild.org  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdmansociety/ (@herdmansociety) 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herdmansoc/  (@herdmansoc 

LUMOS Society

The LUMOS Society is a student run society for Marine Biology and Oceanography students, or for students interested in marine related topics. We focus on drawing students together and bridging gaps between degree courses and year groups. We offer a range of events, allowing students to explore their degrees to a greater extent. There are regular talks held from experts in the field to provide a different perspective on subjects, and opportunities for networking as part of our Seminar Series. We also hold beach cleans, themed based pub quizzes, trips to local attractions, and lively socials. We offer members the opportunity to create educational activities, as well as to visit and teach in local schools as part of the Guild’s ‘Societies in Schools’ scheme. We are one of 12 Guild societies offered this scheme in 2016-2017.

LUMOS also takes part in World Oceans Day in June, which is part of a global celebration of our World’s Oceans that aims to include local charities and volunteers in leading outreach activities. We support students from the start of their university experience with our mentor scheme, providing first years with an opportunity to partner with students from a higher year to talk about and ask questions about our courses. Like all societies we hold elections at the end of every year to elect a new committee, everyone is encouraged to attend to vote, even if students do not wish to run for a position. A 1-year membership, which gives you access to these great benefits, is free and a link to which can be found on the Liverpool Guild website as well as on our social media.

Instagram: @uol_lumos

Twitter: @LivUni_moes

Email: lumos@society.liverpoolguild.org 

Welcome to the University of Liverpool Planning Society! 

Planning Society is an academic community where Planning students and people with an interest in town planning can come together. Through a series of informal events over the year, as a member of Planning Society you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet fellow planning students and take part in career development and networking opportunities.  

As well as holding regular social events, Planning Society is the best way to keep informed about planning news, job opportunities and general advice. As a student-led group, Planning Society is a course-wide support network for students to approach for guidance during their time at university.   

Membership is completely free so sign up today! 

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. 

Email - planning@society.liverpoolguild.org 

Instagram - @livuniplanning_society 

Linkedin group - 'UoL Planning Society'