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Professor Quentin Crowley

Professor In (Geology)
MUSEUM BUILDING
      
Profile Photo

Professor Quentin Crowley

Professor In (Geology)
MUSEUM BUILDING

 crowleyq@tcd.ie

 3531896 2403


  Climate Change   Earth Science   Earth Sciences for Climate Research   Environmental Chemistry   Environmental Indicators, Monitoring, Risk Assessment   Environmental planning and sustainable development   EPIDEMIOLOGY   Geochemistry   Geochronology   Geology   Marine and Ocean Sciences   Marine pollution   Mineral Resources   PROVENANCE   Radioactivity   Sustainable development
Project Title
 IKC3
From
01/04/2022
To
Summary
Funding Agency
HEA
Programme
HCI Plllar 3
Project Title
 Radon Monitoring and Hazard Prediction in Ireland
From
2016
To
2018
Summary
This project utilises recently available high-resolution airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (radiometric) and soil geochemistry data from the Tellus projects of Ireland and indoor radon concentrations measured by the EPA. These datasets will be used in conjunction with other geological information (e.g. rock-type, presence of fracture systems, etc) to construct a high-resolution radon hazard map of Ireland. Selected test sites will be further studied using soil radon measurement in order to better understand factors affecting production, transport and accumulation of radon in the natural environment. Such mapping of radon-prone areas will ultimately help to inform when prevention and remediation measures are necessary. A reduction in radon exposure will result in a decreased likelihood of developing lung cancer and a corresponding lowering of the national health burden.
Funding Agency
Irish Research Council
Programme
Enterprise Partnership Scheme
Project Type
Post-Doctoral
Project Title
 Developing a Cross-Border Radon Research Network in Ireland
From
2017
To
2018
Summary
This project aims to increase cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange in Ireland in order to increase our understanding of the factors affecting radon distribution in both natural and built environments. Apart from the scientific objectives, this proposal will provide a forum on best practices of science communication in relation to links between geosciences, radiological protection and human health. The proposed network will involve interactions between researchers at the following: Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), Environmental Protection Agency (of Ireland; EPA), Health Service Executive (HSE), Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), Queen's University Belfast (QUB), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), British Geological Survey (BGS) and Public Health England (PHE) Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. Colleagues from mainland Europe will also be involved in discussions regarding EU funding.
Funding Agency
Irish Research Council
Programme
New Foundations
Project Type
Collaborative
Project Title
 Sr Isotopes and the Irish Biosphere
From
2013
To
2017
Summary
The objective of this research is to use strontium isotopes, expressed as 87Sr/86Sr, as a tracer for environmental processes, including 87Sr/86Sr variation during weathering and uptake into the biosphere through plants and animals. This is being realised by carrying out systematic and high-resolution geochemical sampling, using a variety of different media, to better understand the complexity of 87Sr/87Sr in the biosphere.
Funding Agency
Geological Survey of Ireland, Fulbright
Programme
GSI Shortcall, Geoscience Fulbright
Project Type
Ph.D.
Project Title
 Refinement of high spatial resolution U-Pb geochronologic methodologies
From
2015
To
2019
Summary
Uranium-lead (U-Pb) geochronology is the most widely used radiometric dating tool in geologic time-scales from 800 thousand years to >4 billion years. The use of U-Pb geochronology underpins a broad range of geologic and environmental research topics and is of pivotal importance in our understanding of timescales and rates of processes operating in the natural environment. This proposed project will (1) investigate the chemical nature of mineral chronometers at the nano-scale, (2) develop the use of new mineral chronometers, (3) refine methodologies and data reduction protocols so as to improve accuracy and precision of micro-beam geochronologic measurements.
Funding Agency
University of Notre Dame
Programme
Naughton Fellowship
Project Type
PhD

Page 1 of 3
Details Date
Expert Committee Member for the European Code Against Cancer, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization 2023
Co-Vice Chair, Governing Board, Climate-KIC (The EU's main Climate Innovation initiative) 2023
Academic Consultant for the establishment of the Royal Dublin Society Circular Economy Awards 2023
Steering Committee Member, Ireland's Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate, and Community 2022
Reviewer of 100s of papers for international journals (e.g. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Geodinamica Acta, Geology, Geological Journal, Geological Magazine, Geology Review, Geological Society of America Bulletin, Geoscientist, International Journal of Earth Sciences, Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Journal of the European Radon Association, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, Journal of the Geological Society, Lithos, Minerals, Periodico di Mineralogia, Polish Geological Institute (PGI), Precambrian Research, Tectonics, Tectonophysics, Terra Nova and Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences). 2008-2024
Reviewer of grant applications for numerous international bodies and agencies (e.g. Research Council of Norway, Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, Czech Academy of Sciences, British Geological Survey, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University Research Grants). 2017-2024
Committee Member, Geosciences and Geographical Sciences, Royal Irish Academy 2022
Governing Board, Douglas Hyde Gallery 2019
Chief Editor, Journal of the Geological Society 2011
Awards Committee, The Geological Society of London 2011
National Representative, IGCP project 648 - Supercontinent Cycles & Global Geodynamics 2011
Editorial Board, Irish Journal of Earth Sciences 2011
Associate Editor, Geological Society of America Bulletin 2010
Committee Member, European Plate Observing Systems (EPOS) 2009
Subject Editor, Journal of the Geological Society, London 2008
Details Date From Date To
The International 4 per 1000 Imitative 2024 Present
Royal Irish Academy 2022 Present
UArctic 2020 Present
Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland (NARI) 2019 Present
Irish Cancer Epidemiology Research Group 2018 Present
European Radon Association 2017 Present
EIT Climate-KIC 2017 Present
Geochemical Society 2015 2018
Irish Isotopes Research Group 2013 Present
Geological Society, London 2006 Present
Mineralogical Society of America 2005 2008
European Union of Geosciences 1996 Present
Irish Geological Association 1993 Present
Hoek, Gerard, van Tongeren, Martie, Röösli, Martin, Jochems, Sylvia H. J., Vilahur, Nadia, Albin, Maria, Baldi, Isabelle, Crowley, Quentin, Fervers, Béatrice, Greinert, Rüdiger, Consonni, Dario, Feliu, Ariadna, Zeeb, Hajo, Schüz, Joachim, D'Souza, Erica, Ritchie, David, Espina, Carolina, Kromhout, Hans, European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition - outdoor and indoor air pollution and cancer, Molecular Oncology, 20, (1), 2026, p81-95 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Jochems, Sylvia H. J., Vilahur, Nadia, van Tongeren, Martie, Albin, Maria, Baldi, Isabelle, Consonni, Dario, Crowley, Quentin, Fervers, Béatrice, Greinert, Rüdiger, Hoek, Gerard, Röösli, Martin, Zeeb, Hajo, Schüz, Joachim, Feliu, Ariadna, D'Souza, Erica, Ritchie, David, Espina, Carolina, Kromhout, Hans, European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition - occupational exposures and cancer, Molecular Oncology, 20, (1), 2026, p68-80 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Ritchie, David, Crowley, Quentin, Greinert, Rüdiger, Albin, Maria, Baldi, Isabelle, Consonni, Dario, Fervers, Béatrice, Hoek, Gerard, Jochems, Sylvia H. J., Röösli, Martin, van Tongeren, Martie, Vilahur, Nadia, Feliu, Ariadna, Zeeb, Hajo, Schüz, Joachim, D'Souza, Erica, Espina, Carolina, Kromhout, Hans, European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition - ultraviolet radiation, radon and cancer, Molecular Oncology, 20, (1), 2026, p49-67 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Aghdam, M.M., Crowley, Q., Integrating Radon/Thoron and Gamma Radiation Exposure for a Realistic Estimation of Dose Arising from Building Materials, Applied Sciences, 15, (12), 2025, p6470-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Banríon, M., Crowley, Q.G., Geochemical Fingerprinting of a Radon Anomaly: High-Resolution PCA-ANOVA Case Study, Castleisland (SW Ireland), Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
da Costa, T.; Aranda Lopez, L.I.; Perussello, C.; Quinn, F.; Crowley, Q.G.; McMahon, H.; Holden, N.M., Addressing the Demand for Green Skills: Bridging the Gap Between University Outcomes and Industry Requirements, Sustainability, (17), 2025, p2732-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Pointon, M.A.; Smyth, H.; Omma, J.E.; Morton, A.C.; Schneider, S.; Rippington, S.J.; Lopez-Mir, B.; Crowley, Q.G.; Frei, D.; Flowerdew, M.J., A Sediment Provenance Study of Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous Strata in the Eastern Sverdrup Basin: Implications for the Exhumation of the Northeastern Canadian-Greenlandic Shield., Geosciences, 15, (8), 2025, p313-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Vucinic L., O'Connell D., Dubber, Behan P., Crowley Q., Coxon C., Gill L., Understanding the impacts of human wastewater effluent pollution on karst springs using chemical contamination fingerprinting techniques, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14th-19th April, 2024, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  DOI
Aghdam Mirsina M. , Kavanagh Mark , Crowley Quentin, Utilization of radiometric data for mapping primary and secondary sources of gamma radiation and radon/thoron release potentials in Ireland, Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI  Handle
DaPelo, S., Aghdam, M., Dentoni, V., Loi, A., Randaccio, P., Crowley, Q., Assessment of natural radioactivity and radon release potential of Silurian black shales, Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 215, 2024, p111347-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
  

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Crowley, Q., Climate Innovation for SDG 13: Climate Action, 27/01/21, 2021, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Burke, S.M., Wheeler, A.J., Crowley, Q.G., Reavy, R.J., Formation of Littoral and Offshore Irish Placer Resources (FLIPeR), Irish Geological Research Meeting, TCD, March 5-6 2017, 2017, pp57 , Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Elizabeth Tray, Quentin G. Crowley, Niall McEvoy, Vincent Mouchi, Xavier Monteys, Geochemical and Temporal Characterization of Holocene Cold-water Corals, Irish Geological Research Meeting, TCD, 4-5 March 2017, 2017, pp69 , Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Wheeler, A.J., Kevin Power, K., Crowley, Q., Georgopoulou, A., Bean, B., Croot, P., McCarthy, T., Calahane, C., Nicholas, S., Toth, Z., Walsh, D., Generating long-term records of seabed environmental conditions in support of drill-operation EIAs and other iCRAG Marine Spoke projects, Atlantic Ireland 2016, 2016, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Tray, E., Crowley, Q., Mouchi, V., Monteys, X., Geochemical and temporal characterisation of Holocene cold-water corals from offshore Ireland, Challenger Society 2016 Conference - Oceans and Climate, Liverpool, 5-8 September 2016, 2016, Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Mouchi, V., Crowley, Q.G., Monteys, X., McDermott, F.D., McCarron, S., L'apport du corail d'eaux froides Lophelia pertusa aux reconstitutions climatiques et paléocéanographiques de l'Holocène du NE Atlantique. , 25ème Réunion des Sciences de la Terre, 24-28th of October 2016, Caen, France., 2016, pp231 , Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Mouchi, V., Crowley, Q.G., Monteys, X., McDermott, F., McCarron, S., NE Atlantic climatic and oceanographic variations in the Holocene using the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa, 35th International Geological Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, 2016, Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Anderson, P., Stevenson, C., Cooper, M., Ellam, R., Meighan, I., Hurley, C., Reavey, J., Inman, J., Condon, D., Crowley, Q., A new model of granitic emplacement: the Newry Igneous Comples, Northern Ireland, Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group, University of Bristol, 7-9 January, 2013, Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Mouchi, V., Crowley, Q.G., Jackson, A.L., McDermott, F., Sevastopulo, G.D., Microstructures in the cold water coral Lophelia pertusa in relation to growth rate, Irish Geological Research Meeting, University of Ulster, 1-3 March 2013, 2013, Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Goodenough, Kathryn M., Krabbendam, Maarten, Shaw, Richard A., Crowley, Quentin G., Making and breaking Columbia (Nuna): formation of a critical metal province? A North Atlantic view. , Building Strong Continents,, Portsmouth, UK, , 2-4 Sept 2013., 2013, Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 4
Award Date
iCRAG Industry and Entrepreneurship Award 2024
Sustainability Leadership Award, Trinity College Dublin 2024
iCRAG Education and Public Engagement Champion 2023
iCRAG Education and Public Engagement Champion 2022
Master in Arts (jure officii), Trinity College Dublin 2018
Elected Fellow of Trinity College Dublin 2019
Elected Fellow of the Geological Society of London 2006
EU Training and Mobility of Researchers Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award 1998
Irish Geological Research Meeting (IGRM) prize for best student paper, Belfast, N. Ireland 1997
National University of Ireland PhD Fellowship 1994
National University Prize for highest grade in Geology at the B.Sc. (Honours) level 1993
Forbairt Geoscience Technology Award 1993
My main research interest is in the field of Earth System change, with a focus on characterising processes operating in both ancient and contemporary environments. Starting with evolution of the early Earth, I research interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere to better understand environmental change over geological timescales. I then apply my knowledge of natural systems to the contemporary environment to research environmental processes in both terrestrial and marine environments. Additionally, I apply my knowledge of complexity in natural systems to research methodologies for education design and public engagement in a range of contemporary societal challenges, such as climate change and environmental monitoring and protection. My research on the early Earth uses naturally occurring isotopes as clocks of geological process. I study themes such as tectonic evolution, mountain building, ocean formation and changes in the solid Earth, the atmosphere and oceans. My research on fossil soils demonstrates that free oxygen formed over 3,000 million years ago, which changed our fundamental understanding of the emergence of complex life on earth. My environmental geoscience research on terrestrial environments focuses on environmental radioactivity and its impact on human health. My research shows that radon, which is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is responsible for approximately 350 lung cancer cases in Ireland each year. I develop innovative methodologies to monitor radon and environmental radioactivity. In a world first, I integrated geology and indoor radon to produce a radon map, now the new legislative map for Ireland, and hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I collaborate widely in this area, including an active collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to update the European Code Against Cancer, with global impact. My environmental geoscience research on marine environments focuses on cold-water corals. These are corals that can grow in cold and deep marine environments, including off the coast of Ireland. I use my knowledge of geochemistry and mineral growth to better understand how cold-water corals can be used as environmental proxies to reconstruct past environments and climates, thereby adding value to archives of marine core samples from around the world. My research has also demonstrates that cold-water corals are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic stressors, highlighting the need to protect these unique species. I apply my knowledge of natural systems to research and develop methodologies for education design and public engagement. This is where my research on natural systems meets my teaching and public communication. I lead Climate Innovation and I am TCD lead of Ireland's Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate and Community Action (IKC3), an initiative which fosters innovation in higher and further education to support the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon society. Through IKC3, I have developed new research-led methodologies which contribute to Ireland's Climate Action plan and which offer a new model for the transformative power of further and higher education. In summary, through my innovative research, I have transformed our view of Earth Systems, and in designing education and public engagement for climate action.