About
Emeritus Professor of Deep-sea Ecology. I have no current responsibilities within the Faculty. Recently I have chaired NERC’s Cruise Programme Review Group, and been a member of NERC’s Cruise Programme Executive Board.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- All aspects of deep-sea ecology
- Reproductive ecology of marine invertebrates
- Long term changes in reproductive patterns in relation to climate change
- Specific interests in hydrothermal vents and canyons
Research projects
Completed projects
Publications
Pagination
Teaching
He has considerable teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Main areas of teaching are in all aspects of marine biology including fundamental zoology of marine invertebrate and invertebrate phyla, reproductive ecology of marine invertebrates and all aspects of deep-sea ecology including ocean basins, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps and canyons with direct experience of filed work in Atlantic , Pacific and Indian Oceans and in the Southern Ocean. Development of teaching modules for the Marine Biology and MMB 4-year Masters course. Experience of teaching at Duke University, NC, University of Oregon Marine Lab, St Georges University Grenada and as external examiner at the Universities of Swansea, Bangor and Newcastle. Head of teaching in the School of Ocean and Earth Science for 12 yers and Head of the Graduate School for 4 years.
Biography
He started his academic career in Swansea and moved to the Department of Oceanography at Southampton in 1988.
In 1977 during his period in Swansea he had started collaborating with Dr John Gage at SMBA on aspects of deep-sea biology in the NE Atlantic and continued this after his move to Southampton where links with the IOS deep-sea benthic group were strengthened. In 1986 Paul had his first diving experience in submersibles as part of the Anglo-French CYAPORC diving programme in the Atlantic.
In 1988 he started a collaboration with Dr Craig M Young using the Johnson Sealink submersibles from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution to continue experimental deep-sea ecology by submersible.
Over the subsequent years he spent considerable time in research cruises in many different parts of the world using traditional samplers as well as conducting observations and experiments using submersibles.
At the same time he took on the role of head of teaching in the newly created School of Ocean and Earth Science at NOC and was responsible for the introduction of a number of degree programmes, as well as individual courses, as the school expanded. Subsequently he was head of the Graduate School for four years.
During his time in Southampton he was Co-PI on the JIF programme that provided a Deep-water Remote Operated Vehicle for UK science. In addition, he was PI or Co-PI on a wide range of research grants from NERC and other sources culminating in the CHESSO project exploring for vents and seeps in the Southern Ocean.
He retired in 2013 and was awarded an MBE for contributions to science. In retirement has taken on committee roles for NERC.