The results from the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) have highlighted the excellent research being undertaken at the Department. The REF is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
96% of Cambridge's overall submissions under the most recent exercise have been rated as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'. 50.8% of outputs submitted by the Department were awarded the highest rating of 4* overall, meaning that they were world leading. The Department was also recognised for its outstanding research environment which enables its researchers to flourish to their full potential.
The Department is delighted with this recognition of research excellence, and with the strength of research being undertaken in Geography across the United Kingdom. These results reflect a subject that is thriving intellectually, and making important contributions to the major challenges facing our planet and societies.
Sea ice can control Antarctic ice sheet stability, new SPRI research finds
17th May, 2022
SPRI researchers have used over 40 years of satellite observations and ocean and atmosphere records to show that abrupt changes in offshore sea ice cover can either safeguard from, or set in motion, the final rifting and calving of icebergs from even large Antarctic ice shelves.
The research, led by Dr. Frazer Christie, has been published as an article in the journal Nature Geoscience.
This research was supported in part by the Flotilla Foundation, Marine Archaeology Consultants Switzerland, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
New report assesses global anti-deforestation measures
4th May, 2022
A major new scientific assessment has evaluated the world's progress on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The report analyses the past 10 years of REDD+ implementation – a global action plan to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation primarily in tropical and sub-tropical regions – with respect to forest governance, carbon measurements and effects on biodiversity and livelihoods.
One of the lead authors is Professor Bhaskar Vira, Head of the Department of Geography. He writes: "This report is being launched at a very important moment, and feeds directly into international discussions on climate change and biodiversity. There is an urgent focus on the role of land use and forests as part of our transitions towards a net zero future, and on the contributions that forests can make to biodiversity and livelihoods.
Read more …Professor Philip Gibbard awarded the Merit Medal by the German Quaternary Association (Deuqua)
25th April, 2022
Emeritus Professor Philip Gibbard has been awarded the Verdienstmedaille (Merit Medal) by the German Quaternary Association (Deuqua). The medal is awarded biennially as a special honour for outstanding scientific achievements in Quaternary research.