Research interests
Michael's research is related to Quaternary science and archaeology, specialising in palaeoecology, geoarchaeology and geochronology. He is best known as a pollen analyst and for the development of scheme-wide deposit and archaeological predictive models, as well as the production of archaeological scheme-based integrated reports and syntheses.
Early research was focused around vegetation history, most notably within ancient woodlands such as the New Forest. This led to the development of a Leverhulme Trust funded postdoctoral position, at Kingston University, focused upon understanding the effects of woodland management techniques upon pollen production and dispersal, enabling improved interpretations of palaeoenvironmental records. Current research is focused on developing our understanding of natural and anthropogenic driven processes within terrestrial and coastal wetlands.
Michael is experienced in the delivery of commercial archaeology projects, having worked previously at Wessex Archaeology for over five years. He was instrumental in several major multi-period terrestrial and marine infrastructure projects including High Speed 1, A46 Newark to Windmerpool Improvements and the London Olympic Park. Michael has substantial experience of working on a wide range of marine infrastructure projects including port developments, renewable energy projects, marine aggregates and channel dredging. As part of this commercial work he was actively involved in several internationally important research projects including the Dunbridge Lower Palaeolithic handaxe site, Farndon Fields Late Upper Palaeolithic site and the English Heritage NHPP Actively 4G1 Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in the Middle Kennet Valley Project.
His current position, as an Enterprise Fellow, is situated within the University of Southampton enterprise unit entitled 'Coastal and Offshore Archaeological Research Services (COARS)'. This suitably combines his research and commercial fields of expertise. He is responsible for overseeing the delivery of a wide variety of archaeology consultancy and research projects for the benefit of commercial partners, ensuring that projects are delivered on schedule and to high industry quality standards. So far this has included working on several major marine infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point and Sizewell C Nuclear Power Stations and the London Array offshore wind farm.
Affiliate research groups: Centre for Maritime Archaeology, SMMI
Research group
Geology and Geophysics
Dr Michael James GrantSchool of Ocean and Earth Science
National Oceanography Centre Southampton
University of Southampton Waterfront Campus
European Way
Southampton SO14 3ZH
UK
Room Number : NOCS/184/17
