Additional Contact Information
Office: 211 Marine Centre Wales Ìý ÌýÌýPhone:Ìý01248 382803
Email: m.austin@bangor.ac.uk
°Â±ð²ú:ÌýÌý Ìý ÌýÌý Ìý Ìý
Twitter:
I am an observational oceanographer and specialise in the hydro- and morpho-dynamics of the inter-tidal and shallow sub-tidal regions of the coastal ocean.ÌýMy present research at Bangor includes:
- Increasing our understanding of gravel barrier dynamics and resilience in a changing climate. Through the NERC-funded project #gravelbeach, it will deliver new scientific advances through an integrated and comprehensive morphosedimentary evaluation, intense field observations, targeted laboratory experiments, and numerical model development/simulation. This research involves UK-wide collaboration with multiple academic and industry partners.
- The turbulent flow dynamics around offshore infrastructure and sub-sea cables that result in changes to the seabed habitat, the vertical mixing of heat and nutrients through the water column and physical impacts to the infrastructure. This research is funded through NERC and ESPRC projects and involves significant collaboration with industry partners from the Marine Renewable Energy sector. Ìý
- The dynamics of large-scale turbulent motions in tidally energetic regions. This EPSRC- and NRN-funded work seeks to quantify large-scale turbulent motions and assess the impacts on tidal energy extraction and infrastructure. Observational field experiments are being undertaken in the Menai Strait and around north Wales, and include industry collaborators from UK, Europe and the USA.
I graduated from Plymouth University in 2002 with a BSc in Ocean Science and completed my PhD in gravel beach morphodynamics at Loughborough University in 2005. I have subsequently been a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at: Plymouth University (2005 - 2007, Cross-shore sediment transport on sandy beaches); Loughborough University (2007, Dust generation on an Arctic pro-glacial flood plain); before returning once again to Plymouth (2007 - 2010, Impacts of offshore wave energy arrays on seabed and shoreline processes; and 2010 - 2013, Dynamics of rip currents and implication for beach safety).ÌýÌýResearch Areas
Qualifications
- PhD: Swash-groundwater interactions on a natural gravel beach
Loughborough University, - BSc: Ocean Sciences
University of Plymouth,
Teaching and Supervision
PhD Students
- Guy Walker-Springett
- Natasha Lucas
- Alex Virod
Masters Teaching
I offer both MSc and MSci research projects on shallow water physical oceanography and sediment dynamics processes, and contribute to several taught MSc modules.
Undergraduate Teaching
I am the progarmme organiser for the BSC Geological Oceanography degree and am the module organiser for OSX-3006 and OSX-3007, and contribute to OSX-1000, OSX-2000, OSX-2004, OSX-2006, DXX-2007, OSX-3000, DXX-3018 and OSX-4023.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Project 1:
I am keen to develop a PhD project with a student to investigate the sediment resuspension and scour that occurs when sub-sea cables are exposed by bedform migration on the energetic continental shelf.
It is hypothesised that wake effects from emplaced objects on the seabed modify bedform migration rates through increased turbulent velocities and lead to a higher incidence of cable damage.
This project links with the Marine Renewable Energy industry and at the finer scale aims to take field measurements of turbulent flows and sediment suspension over a section of free-spanning sub-sea cable.
Wider-scale observations will aim to link far-field changes in bedform migration (and hence cable exposure) rates to wake effects of emplaced objects.Ìý
Project 2:
I am interested in developing a PhD project with a potential student to investigate the coupling between the sub-tidal and inter-tidal sections of the beachface and a dynamic aeolian sand dune field.
It is hypothesised that over-stabilised sand dunes minimise the exchange of sand between dunes and beachface, and combined with storm-driven offshore sand transport, result in a lowering the beach elevation and enhanced wave energy flux impacting the dune foot.
Long-term large-scale dyanmics of an extensive offshore sandbank system appear to exert a significant alongshore control on the wave impacts experienced by the dune foot.
This project is based in North Wales and could potentially collaborate with National Resources Wales.
Publications
2024
- Published
Lake, T., Glasby, D., Horrillo-Caraballo, J., Togneri, M., Masters, I., Austin, M. & Lincoln, B., 31 Jul 2024, In: International Marine Energy Journal. 7, 1, p. 11-24
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of print
Roome, E., Robins, P., Ahmadian, R., Austin, M., Hanousek, N., Guo, B. & Neill, S., 18 Oct 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Renewable Energy. 121601.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Accepted/In press
Austin, M., Unsworth, C., Van Landeghem, K. & Lincoln, B., 6 Nov 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Ocean Science. 17 p., egusphere-2024-2056.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Whitton, T., Austin, M., Newbould, A., Kennedy, H., Allender, S., Cavan, E., Parker, R., North, C., Hatchman, J. & Hiddink, J. G., 1 Jul 2024, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ. 18 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report
2023
- Published
Neill, S., Fairley, I., Rowlands, S., Young, S., Hill, T., Unsworth, C., King, N., Roberts, M., Austin, M., Hughes, P., Masters, I., Owen, A., Powell, B., Reeve, D. E. & Lewis, M., 1 Mar 2023, In: Renewable Energy. 205, p. 447-460
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Davies, A. G., Robins, P., Austin, M. & Walker-Springett, G., 15 Jan 2023, In: Continental Shelf Research. 253, 104903.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Unsworth, C., Austin, M., Van Landeghem, K., Couldrey, A., Whitehouse, R., Lincoln, B., Doole, S. & Worrall, P., Sept 2023, In: Coastal Engineering. 184, 22 p., 104309.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Unsworth, C., Austin, M., Van Landeghem, K., Couldrey, A. & Whitehouse, R., 1 Jan 2023, p. 299-306. 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - Published
Ward, S. & Austin, M., 31 Mar 2023, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - Published
Forino, G., Yorke, L., Robinson, G., Austin, M., Sieradzan, K. & Hewitt, J., 28 Jun 2023, Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers .
Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
2022
- Published
Van Landeghem, K., Unsworth, C., Austin, M. & Waggitt, J., 23 May 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract - Published
Lucas, N., Austin, M., Rippeth, T., Powell, B. & Wakonigg, P., Jul 2022, In: Renewable Energy. 194, p. 259-272
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Unsworth, C., Austin, M. & Van Landeghem, K., 23 May 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract
2021
- Published
Austin, M. & Walker-Springett, G., 1 Nov 2021, Geography Review, 35, 2, p. 8-13 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - Published
Austin, M. & Walker-Springett, G., 13 Jan 2021, In: Journal of Coastal Conservation. 25, 1, 10.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review - Published
Simpson, J., Woolway, I., Scannell, B., Austin, M., Powell, B. & Maberly, S. C., Jun 2021, In: Water Resources Research. 57, 6, 2020WR029441.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2020
- Published
Poate, T. G., Masselink, G., Austin, M., Inch, K., Dickson, M. & McCall, R. D., 1 Feb 2020, In: Geomorphology. 350, 106880.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- Published
Poate, T. G., Masselink, G., Austin, M., Dickson, M. & McCall, R. T., Jan 2018, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 123, 1, p. 97-123
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2017
- Published
Conley, D., Austin, M., Davidson, I., Buscombe, D. & Masselink, G., 17 Jun 2017.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - Published
McCall, R. T., Masselink, G., Austin, M., Poate, T. & Jager, T., Jun 2017, p. 1658-1669.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
2016
- Published
Ruju, A., Conley, D., Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., Puleo, J., Lanckriet, T. & Foster, D., 1 Jul 2016, In: Coastal Engineering. 113, July, p. 47-61
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Turner, I. L., Rau, G. C., Austin, M. J. & Andersen, M. S., Jul 2016, In: Coastal Engineering. 113, p. 104-116
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M., 27 Jul 2016, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2015
- Published
Scott, T., Austin, M. J., Masselink, G. & Russell, P., 30 Oct 2015, In: Coastal Engineering. 107, p. 53-69
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- Published
Scott, T., Masselink, G., Austin, M. J. & Russell, P., 15 Feb 2014, In: Geomorphology. 214
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Poate, T., Masselink, G., Russell, P. & Austin, M., 1 Apr 2014, In: Marine Geology. 350, p. 97-111
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., Scott, T., Poate, T. & Russell, P., 2 Aug 2014, In: Geomorphology. 226, p. 76-93
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- Published
Turner, I. L., Rau, G. C., Andersen, M. S., Austin, M. J., Puleo, J. A. & Masselink, G., 2013, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 65, S2, p. 1886-1891
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., McCall, R. T. & Poate, T. G., Aug 2013, In: Journal of Marine Systems. 123-124, p. 19-32
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J., Scott, T. M., Russell, P. E. & Masselink, G., 1 Oct 2013, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 29, 2, p. 283-300 18 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., Scott, T. M. & Russell, P. E., 16 Dec 2013, In: Continental Shelf Research. 75, p. 28-40
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2011
- Published
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., Russell, P. E., Turner, I. L. & Blenkinsopp, C. E., Aug 2011, In: Coastal Engineering. 58, 8, p. 690-705
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Bullard, J. E. & Austin, M. J., Jun 2011, In: Aeolian Research. 3, 1, p. 43-54
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Scott, T. M., Russell, P. E., Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., Wills, S. & Wooler, A., 9 May 2011, Rip Currents: Beach Safety, Physical Oceanogaphy, and Wave Modeling. Leatherman, S. & Fletemeyer, J. (eds.). CRC Press, p. 225-242 18 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2010
- Published
MacMahan, J., Brown, J., Brown, J., Thornton, E., Reniers, A., Stanton, T., Henriquez, M., Gallagher, E., Morrison, J., Austin, M. J., Scott, T. & Senechal, N., 15 Jan 2010, In: Marine Geology. 268, 1-4, p. 1-15
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M., Scott, T., Brown, J., Brown, J., MacMahan, J., Russell, P. E. & Masselink, G., 31 May 2010, In: Continental Shelf Research. 30, 9, p. 1149-1165
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- Published
Austin, M. J., Scott, T. M., Brown, J. W., Brown, J. A. & Macmahan, J. H., 2009, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 2009, 56, p. 24-28
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M., Masselink, G., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P. E., 15 Apr 2009, In: Marine Geology. 259, 1-4, p. 86-101
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2008
- Published
Masselink, G., Austin, M., Tinker, J., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P. E., 6 Jun 2008, In: Marine Geology. 251, 3-4, p. 141-155
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J. & Buscombe, D., 31 Mar 2008, In: Marine Geology. 249, 3-4, p. 167-183
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J. & Masselink, G., Mar 2008, In: Coastal Engineering. 55, 3, p. 251-260
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2007
- Published
Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., O'Hare, T. J. & Russell, P. E., 24 Oct 2007, In: Journal of Geophysical Research. 112, C10
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P. E., 28 Aug 2007, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 34, 16, p. 1-5 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Masselink, G., Buscombe, D., Austin, M., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P., 20 Nov 2007, In: Sedimentology. 55, 3, p. 667-687
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2006
- Published
Austin, M. & Masselink, G., 30 May 2006, In: Marine Geology. 229, 1-2, p. 59-77
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published
Austin, M. J. & Masselink, G., Dec 2006, In: Continental Shelf Research. 26, 20, p. 2503-2519
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2024
1 Oct 2024
Activity: Examination (Examiner)Workshop with stakeholders to co-develop project impact plan and deliverables.
22 Apr 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)Project development, international stakeholder group meeting
22 Apr 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)16 Apr 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)14 Mar 2024 – 15 Mar 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)Impact led meeting contributing to RNLI safety planning
21 Feb 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
2023
In the process of consenting for new wind farms, regulators will set the terms for what evidence industry needs to deliver. This includes information on sand bank and sand wave mobility, as well as their recovery post construction. However the current level of understanding of these processes at regulator level is insufficient, and the proposed reduction in consenting timescales add pressure onto regulators to be fast, accurate and consistent in delivering advice. This proposal focusses on how we can help regulators to better inform industry of what evidence to present for the consenting process to be successful, appropriate, and robust.
Funding awarded through the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £29,613
1 Aug 2023 – 31 Jul 2024
Activity: Other (Contributor)Initial findings of a UK and Irish survey of public understanding of the tide, found that 38% of the British public were unaware that the tide typically comes in twice a day. A surprising 15% of the public have some experience of being cut off by the tide.
Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ and RNLI press releases, aiming to warn people about tidal cut off around the extreme tides over Easter weekend were picked up by several TV and radio outlets.
BBC Wales news (audio) MediaView (tveyes.com)
S4C News (video) MediaView (tveyes.com)
ITV News (video uploaded here)
BBC Radio Cymru (interview with Prof Thora Tenbrink)
5 Apr 2023
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
2022
Project abstract: Every year, hundreds of lifeboat and lifeguard operations occur to rescue coastal users who have become cut off by tide. Despite the RNLI’s best efforts there are still multiple fatalities.
Ultimately, to reduce the number of emergencies a deeper understanding of the reasons why coastal users become exposed to this hazard is required. This project will address this by looking at people’s concepts and understanding of the tide. Our goal is to help the RNLI develop precautionary measures in a more targeted way, responding directly to coastal users’ conceptual needs.
For instance, people will naturally generalise from previous experiences with the tide, not realising that tidal movements can differ radically between places and at different times. Furthermore, they will normally expect that the water will come in straight to the shore, not diagonally or in a curved or irregular fashion; they expect tide to come in quite slowly, and to be able to simply walk back on the sandbanks to the shore. However, the tide rarely just uniformly advances and retreats across a beach. Instead, it will initially flow laterally along channels and around sandbanks, cutting them off from the mainland and removing any safe route back to land.
Funding awarded through the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £11,514
1 Apr 2022 – 31 Mar 2023
Activity: Other (Contributor)
Projects
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01/11/2023 – 30/11/2027 (Active)
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01/02/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)
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01/10/2020 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)
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01/07/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
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01/03/2017 – 01/08/2017 (Finished)
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01/03/2017 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)
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01/08/2014 – 12/08/2017 (Finished)
Other Grants and Projects
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Cable Scour from fluid-seabed interactions in regions of mobile sedimentary bedforms
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
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Measurable metrics for characterisation of large-scale turbulent structures in tidal races for the marine tidal energy industry
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilÌý -
Waves Across Shore Platforms
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council -
BU-IIA Tidal Cut off with RNLI S28904