Home / Science / Queen's Interdisciplinary Research: Solving Global Crises
Queen's Interdisciplinary Research: Solving Global Crises
19 Jan
Summary
- Researchers use peat bogs to reconstruct ancient climates spanning millennia.
- Software developed for peat bog analysis is used in Mars exploration.
- Invasive species research informs global policy for biodiversity protection.
At Queen's University Belfast, a strategy of interdisciplinary collaboration fuels innovation, enabling researchers to tackle pressing ecological threats and ancient climate puzzles. This approach attracts leading minds dedicated to confronting global environmental crises.
Prof Maarten Blaauw's work in palaeoecology, utilizing peat bogs as invaluable archives of past environments up to 13,000 years old, exemplifies this. Remarkably, software he developed for this research has found application in analyzing sediment systems on Mars and is secured in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, ensuring its long-term availability.
Similarly, Prof Jaimie Dick is a world authority on invasive alien species, advising countries like New Zealand and South Africa. Dr. Ross Cuthbert further contributes to understanding biological invasions, climate change, and disease vector biology. This collaborative environment at Queen's allows experts from various disciplines to converge, fostering a holistic approach to complex global issues and driving impactful policy changes.
