Dr. Quentin G Crowley

  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

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.