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I have recently retired from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê (April 2022) due to ill healthÌýand now hold professor emeritus status. Full details .

Biography

Education

• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Botany), University of Edinburgh, 1984-1989
• PhD University of Manchester, 1989-1992

Employment

• 2023 - Present: Co-chair Oracle Voices,
• 2022 – Present: Professor emeritus in Environmental Change, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê
• 2019 - 2021: Faculty Vice-Dean Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê
• 2013 - 2016: Faculty Vice-Dean Research, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê
• 2013 - 2022: Professor in Environmental Change, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê

Awards and MedalsÌý

• Royal Geographical Society (with IGB) Victoria Medal for ‘transformative impact on the discipline of Geography’ (2023)
• Lifetime Achievement Award, International Paleolimnology Association (2022)
• The EDI Team Award for Inspirational Engagement, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Inclusion Awards (2022)
• Sir Stephen Wall Award: Inspiring Role Model, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Inclusion Awards (2022)
• for a Diverse & Inclusive Education (2020)
• Faculty Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Education Award (2019)
• Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Provost’s Education Award (2019)

Membership of Professional Bodies

• ÌýNo. 455488

Ìý

Supervision

Postgraduate: PhD

• EWAN SHILLAND:ÌýWhat are the environmental and biological factors conditioning current and historic changes in the aquatic plant communities of upland waterbodies in the United Kingdom?Ìý(NERC London DTP Scholarship).
• POPPY HARDING: Ecosystem resilience to abrupt climatic and environmental change in southern Siberia since the Last Glacial Maximum (NERC London DTP Scholarship). 10.14 - 11.18
• RICHARD MAZEBEDI:ÌýTrophic characteristics ofÌýaquatic habitats with different flooding regimes in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. (Botswana Government Scholarship) 11.14 - 03.19
• JENNIFER FITCHETT: Toward a multiproxy Holocene palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstruction for Easter Lesotho. 2013 -2015
• JENNIFER ADAMS: Climate change and pollution impacts on productivity and biodiversity in the Selenga River Delta: a Siberian, Ramsar wetland of international importance 09.13 - (co-supervision with Prof N.L. Rose and Dr G.E.A. Swann) 09.13 - 11.17
• SARAH ROBERTS: Algal community response to recent anthropogenic pollution and environmental change at Lake Baikal, Russia, over the last 1,000 yearsÌý(Primary supervisors Suzanne McGowan & George Swann, University of Nottingham). 09.12 - 09.17
• LUCA MARAZZI: Biodiversity and biomass of algae in the Okavango Delta (Botswana), a subtropical flood-pulsed wetland. 09.08 - 11.14 (co-supervision with Dr V. Jones). (Examiners Marian Yallop & Carl Sayer).
• CHARLOTTE HALL: Trace metal contamination in lakes and ponds in London. Funding body: Big Lottery Fund (viaÌýOPAL). 09.08 - 03.13 (co-supervision with Prof N.L. Rose). (Examiners Brian RIppey)
• KATY WILSON: Pliocene climate variability recorded in a series of diatomite beds in the Tugen Hills region of the East African Rift Valley. Funding body:Ìý. 09.07 - 09.10. (co-supervision with Prof M. Maslin). (Examiners: Phil Barker)
• JULIANE WISCHNEWSKI:ÌýReconstructing climate variability on the Tibetan Plateau – comparing aquatic and terrestrial signals. Funding body: DFG. Principal supervisor: Prof. Ulrike Herzschuh, ÌýAlfred Wegener Institute, Potsdam. (Examiners: Viv Jones)
• VIRGINIA PANIZZO:ÌýReconstructing Late Holocene climate variability in North East China from varved, maar lake sediments. Funding body:ÌýÌý. Studentship Award No.: NER/S/A/200/14046. 25.09.06– 24.09.09. (co-supervision with Dr P Rioual and Prof MJ Leng) (Examiners: Sarah Metcalf
• CHABUNGBAM SINGH:ÌýHydroecology of Loktak Lake, NE India. Funding body: Ted Hollis Scholarship, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê. (Primary supervisor: Dr Julian Thompson). (Examiners: )
• PATRICK AUSTIN:ÌýPalaeoconductivity, lake level fluctuations and trace element history of the Aral Sea since 400 AD: assessing the impact of natural climatic variation and anthropogenic activity. Funding body:Ìý. Studentship Award No.: NER/S/A/2002/10422. 01.10.02 – 30.09.05. (Examiners: Jane Reed & Scott Elias).
• JOANNA THORPE:ÌýRecords of late Quaternary climatic change from Tswaing crater lake, South Africa, and the Central Kenyan Rift. Funding body:Ìý. Studentship. Award No.: NER/S/A/2002/10423. 23.09.02 – 22.09.05. (Examiners: Phil Barker & Alayne Street-Perrott).
• DAVID MORLEY:ÌýReconstructing Past Climate Variability in Continental Eurasia. Funding body:ÌýÌý. Studentship Award No.: NER/S/A/2001/06430. 01.10.01 – 30.09.04. (Examiners: Phil Barker & Jane Reed).
• MUSONDA MUMBA:ÌýVegetation and hydrological changes in the Kafue Flats, Zambia before and after the Itezhi-tezhi Dam. Funding body: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Hollis Scholarship 24.09.01 – 30.09.04 (co-supervision with Dr J. Thompson) (Examiners: Dr Douglas Taylor & Prof. Edward Maltby).
• GIRI KATTEL:ÌýCladoceran zooplankton in European Mountain lakes: their role in reconstructing climate change. Funding body: ORS / Grad School / ECRC Trust Fund 01.10.00 – 30.09.03 (co-supervision with Prof R.W. Battarbee). (Examiners: Glen George & Sarah Metcalfe).

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Postgraduate: MSc

2018-2019

• Elizabeth Dymond (MSc Climate Change)ÌýA 2000-year record of environmental change in Lake Engarga, Southern Siberia: investigating diatom assemblage transitions in relation to climate change and anthropogenic impacts
• Junbei Chen ((MSc Climate Change):ÌýDiatom responses to recent climate change in crater lake Tuofengling, NE China
• Lingtao Wang (MSc Environmental Modelling):ÌýApplications of organic geochemistry for analysis in the sediment organic source variatoons in shallow lake ecosystems at the Selenga Delta
• Gurmehr Marway (MSc Conservation):ÌýAn assessment of the distribution of epiphytic orchids and their associations with environmental factors and host species in the lower Gori valley, Western Himalayas, India, for conservation and management
• Scarlett Collier (MSc Conservation):ÌýVeganism: scientific fix or fashionable fad?
• Katherine Bailey (MSc Conservation):ÌýHow has the awareness, attitudes and behaviour of the public towards plastics changed?

2016-2017

• Eftesum Eftesum (MSc Conservation)ÌýReconstructing shallow lake ecosystem dynamics in SE Siberia using macrofossil analysis
• Ibrahim Abdi (MSc Climate Change)ÌýExploring UK perceptions to geoengineering as a method of tackling global warming

• Martha Ledger (MSc Climate Change;ÌýDistinction)ÌýAbrupt climate change impacts on lacustrine carbon dynamics in southern Siberia: an investigation into Lake Baunt

2015-2016

• Kathryn Lewis (MSc Conservation;ÌýDissertation Distinction)ÌýHow should zoos communicate conservation to young Adults? A day out at ZSL

2014-2015

• DARIA KUZNETSOVA (MSc Conservation; Dissertation Distinction)ÌýTemporal and spatial variations in ostracod communities in the Selenga Delta, Lake Baikal.

• ROBERT MERRITT (MSc Climate Change)ÌýTowards estimating climate change impacts in select Pacific small island developing states (SIDS).

• CORINNE CHAND (MSc Aquatic ScienceS)ÌýDiving and foraging behaviour of adult little terns,ÌýSternula albifrons, at Blakeney Point in Norfolk.

2013-2014

• SAMUEL NORTH (MSc Aquatic Science; Distinction)ÌýInterglacial comparisons in the Near East: the palaeoecology of diatoms in Lake Van.
• MIKE HEMS (MGeol, University of Leicester; Dissertation distinction)Ìý

2011-2013

• ADAM SMITH (MSc Conservation; Dissertation distinction)ÌýA baseline study on the presence of agricultural pollutants in the Okavango Panhandle

2010-2011

• LUKE NEWBY (MSc Conservation)ÌýA study into the effects of coppicing on woodland interior habitat and its recovery from these effects

2008-2009

• HELEN JOURNEAUX (MSc Conservation)ÌýA study of possible environmental factors in the spread of invasive species of lowland heath and possible management and restoration techniques
• MIRIAM MEANEY (MSc Quaternary Science)Ìý
• LEIRE PAZ (MSc Conservation)ÌýImpact of Bti mosquito treatments on foraging and breeding success of house martins (Delichon urbicum) in the Camargue, France
• ADAM SEARS (MSc Quaternary Science)ÌýBulk organic geochemical and stable isotope environmental change since the Late Glacial from Shara Nur lake sediments, Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal

2007-2008

• DANIELE LAINEZ (MSc Conservation; Dissertation distinction)ÌýFifty years of crocodile surveys in Africa: a review of the surveys and population trends
• ANDREW HARBY (MSc Conservation)ÌýAn assessment of the Ballaugh Curragh wallaby population
• HEATHER TWIZZLE (MSc Conservation; Distinction)ÌýA study of chalk grassland regeneration following scrub removal on the Devil’s Dyke Estate, Sussex
• JULIA COULSON (MSc Conservation)ÌýThe impacts of deer grazing on ancient oak woodland regeneration at Roudsea Woods and Mosses National Nature Reserve, Cumbria

2006-2007

• GAYLE MCGLYNN (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDistinction)Ìý
• ANA NUNES (MSc Quaternary Science)Ìý
• GWILYM NEAL (MSc Conservation)ÌýFactors influencing the distribution and diversity of aquatic macrophytes in selected regions of the Okavango Delta, Botswana
• SELINA WOODWARD (MSc Conservation)Ìý

2005-2006

• PHILIP HOLDEN (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDistinction)Ìý
• GRAEME DUCKWORTH (MSc Conservation)ÌýMapping plant populations using geostatistics
• STUART HAYWARD (MSc Conservation)ÌýAmphibian decline in the UK

2004-2005

• KEELY MILLS (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDistinction)Ìý
• LUISA TAVIO (MSc Freshwater & Coastal Sciences)ÌýPollutant deposition analysis as an indicator of industrial impact in central south Sweden
• WENDY HAYES (MSc Freshwater & Coastal Sciences)ÌýChanges in macrophyte assemblages and environmental factors in a Mediterranean wetland: s’Albufera de Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
• DIANE PATTERSON (MSc Conservation)ÌýPeatland restoration in Northern Ireland: a hydrological and botanical study of dammed and undammed areas in Ballynahone Bog, Maghera and Peatlands Park, Dungannon
• MALA RAM (MSc Geographical Information Science)ÌýIntegrating plant dispersal mechanisms in population fragmentation models

2003-2004

• SARAH COBAIN (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDissertation distinction)ÌýA reconstruction of Holocene environmental changes at Lake Luanhaizi, Qilian Mountains, China
• KATIE THOMSON (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDistinction)ÌýEarthquakes and associated land / sea-level changes in eastern Hokkaido, Northern Japan
• GABRIEL GRIMSDITCH (MSc Conservation)ÌýAn analysis Coral Cay data for a coral reef in Fiji

2002-2003

• GEORGE SWANN (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDistinction)ÌýClimatic change in central Asia during marine isotope stage (MIS) 3
• MEILIN YANG (MSc Quaternary Science)ÌýLate Holocene diatom-based reconstructions of environmental change in Bosten Lake, Southern Xinjiang, China
• SIMON BRACEY (MSc Conservation)ÌýThe geographical distribution, population abundance and global extinction risk in Neotropical primates
• SUSIE MOLONY (MSc Conservation;ÌýDissertation distinction)ÌýPrimate persistence and extinction in tropical forest fragments
• NICOLA MONSEY (MSc Conservation)ÌýAssessment of ground flora at Ham Street Wood and Longrope Wood (Orlestone Forest) in Kent
• KAREN WHEELER (MSc Conservation)ÌýA study of temporal and spatial variation in ground flora within various plantation stands of different species at Orlestone Forest, Kent

2001- 2002

• PATRICK AUSTIN (MSc Quaternary Science;ÌýDistinction)ÌýReconstructing early to mid Holocene environmental change from NW Iceland (Efstadalsvatn) using diatom analysis
• KATE BLAZEBY (MSc Conservation)ÌýThe potential influence of avian predators on breeding Lapwing and Redshank in lowland wet grassland at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
• LUIS CAYUELA (MSc Conservation)ÌýÌýCanis lupusÌýÌýsignatusÌý
• MABEL CHEUNG (MSc Conservation)ÌýHabitat associations of the YellowhammerÌýEmberiza citrinellaÌýon the Culm Grasslands in north Devon
• JOHANNA WILLI (MSc Conservation;ÌýDistinction)ÌýAncient woodland in an agricultural landscape

2000 - 2001

• EMILY WOODFIELD (MSc Conservation;ÌýDistinction)ÌýJersey’s woodland bird communities: recommendations for management and monitoring
• COLIN GODFREY (MSc Conservation)ÌýThe green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) in Jersey

1997 - 1998

• MARK BANGS (MRes Environmental Science 1998;ÌýDistinction)Ìý

Publications

To view Professor Mackay's publications, please visit Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Profiles:

Projects

Eurasia

• 2017: Abrupt hydrological variability during the Holocene at the forest – steppe ecotone. Funding body NERC. Reference: IP-1725-0517PI=Mackay; Co-I Melanie Leng & Svetlana Kostrova
• 2017: Late Pleistocene records of palaeoproductivity in southern Siberia: Funding body NERC. Reference: IP-1678-1116. Amount £11,620. PI=Mackay; Co-I Melanie Leng
• 2016-2017: The effects of differential dissolution on the δ¹⁸O composition of diatom silica. Funded byÌý. Reference IP-1584-1115. The project is in collaboration withÌý,ÌýÌýandÌý. Amount £42,200.
• 2012-2015 Silicon isotope records of recent environmental change and anthropogenic pollution from Lake Baikal, Siberia. Funding source. Reference NE/J010227/1. Amount awarded £710,000. PI, Lead RO: George Swann; PIs: Matthew Horstwood.
• 2009-2010 A diatom oxygen isotope record from Lake Baikal during MIS5e/5d: an application of XRF and FTIR to accurately account for persistent contaminants. Funding body:Ìý. Co-investigator George Swann. Amount awarded: £500.
• 2007-2010ÌýReconstructing Late Holocene climate variability in North East China from varved maar lake sediments.ÌýFunding body:Ìý. Co-investigators Virginia Panizzo & Melanie Leng. Amount awarded: £13,300. Reference: IP/981/0507.
• 2006-2010ÌýBaikal Archaeology Project. Funding body: Major Collaborative Research Initiative (MCRI) program of theÌýSocial Sciences and Humanities Research CouncilÌýof Canada. Principal Investigator: - Prof. Andrzej Weber, Anthropology, University of Alberta, Canada.
• 2006-2007ÌýA diatom reconstruction of the Les Echets Eemian sequence, France. Funding body:ÌýPostdoctorat Quadriennal, CNRS program, IMEPÌý(UMR 6116 CDNRS, FST-U3). Principal Investigators: - Dr V. Andrieu-Ponel, CNRS; Dr Anson W Mackay, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê; Dr P. Rioual, Department of Geology of the University of Beijing (China). Post-doctoral scientist: Dr DW Morley.
• 2006-2007ÌýReconstructing climate variability in Inner Mongolia over the last 1000 years. Funding body: Chinese Academy of Sciences & Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Simon Li Research Fund. Principal Investigators: Dr Luo Wang & Dr Anson W. Mackay.
• 2003-2005ÌýReconstructing palaeoclimates during MIS 11 in central Asia using oxygen isotope analysis of diatom silica.ÌýFunding body:Ìý. Co-investigators Eugene Karabanov & Melanie Leng. Amount awarded: £33,000. Reference: IP/740/0302.
• 2003-2005Ìý. With Hedi Oberhaensli + others. Funding body:ÌýINTAS. Total award: €120,000. Reference: INTAS Aral 30.
• 2001-2004Ìý. With Oberhaensli (co-ordinator) + other co-investigators. Funding body: EU Framework 5. Amount awarded: c. €2,000,000. Reference: EVK2-CT-2000-0057.
• 2001-2003ÌýBiological, chemical and physical monitoring of Lake Baikal water column. Funding body:ÌýThe Royal Society. Amount awarded c. £15,000.
• 2001-2002ÌýClimatic change in Central Asia during marine isotope stage 3: biogenic silica analysisÌý. Funding body:ÌýNERC ICP-AES Centre. Co-investigator: George Swann. Award No.: OSS/221/050.ÌýAmount £1,000.
• 2000-2001ÌýReconstructing Late Glacial - Holocene climate change in Lake Baikal using oxygen isotope analysis of endemic lacustrine diatoms. Funding body:Ìý. Amount awarded: £32,000. Reference: IP/635/0300.
• 1996-1999ÌýThe deposition and accumulation of endemic planktonic diatoms in the sediments of Lake Baikal and an evaluation of their potential role in climate reconstruction during the Holocene. Funding sourceÌý. Reference GR3/10529. Amount awarded £121,404. PIs: Prof. R.W. Battarbee & Dr. R.J. Flower.

Africa

• 2021-2023: Exploring the use of stable isotopes to link water security in Lesotho to regional climate patterns: Funding via Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Global Engagement Wits University Strategic Partner Funds. Project in collaboration with (University Witwatersrand) andÌýProfessor Jonathan Holmes (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê)
• 2020: Shining a light into the dark caves of Botswana: Investigating their invertebrate biodiversity, ecosystem functions and their potential as sources of bioactive compounds. Funding: Botswana International University Of Science and Technology Initiation Grant to Dr Richard Mazebedi. PI=Mazebedi; CoIs: Dr David Nkwe (BUIST), Dr Thomas Hesselberg (Oxford), Prof Anson Mackay (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê)
• 2019: Educational collaboration between Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê and the Botswana International University for Science & Technology. Funding: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Global Engagement: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê in Africa and in the Middle East Teaching Fund Initiative. PI=Mackay; co-I Dr Richard Mazebedi
• 2009-2010 Investigating Pliocene palaeoclimates in East Africa using oxygen isotopes from biogenic silica. Funding body:. Co-investigator: Mark Maslin, Katie Wilson, Melanie Leng. Ref: IP/1082/1108. Amount awarded: £6,700
• 2006-2009ÌýMonitoring and simulating threats to aquatic biodiversity in the Okavango Delta. Funding body:ÌýProgramme. co-PI: Martin Todd. Amount awarded c. £188,000.
• 2004-2005ÌýClimatic change in tropical Africa during the last interglacial.ÌýFunding body:. Co-investigator: Jo Thorpe, Martin Trauth, Melanie Leng. Ref: IP/816/05-04. Amount awarded: £20,000.
• 2004-2005ÌýClimatic change in southern Africa during the last interglacial:Ìýchronology development. Funding body:Ìý. Co-investigator: Jo Thorpe andÌýOpen University Uranium-Series Facility. Amount awarded: £15,000. Ref: IP/793/1103.
• 2004ÌýLate Holocene changes in alpine vegetation of the Rwenzori Mountains: Short Term Visit grant to the UK for Visiting Scientist: Dr Immaculate Ssemmanda, Uganda. Funding body:ÌýThe Royal Society. Amount £3,360. With Richard Taylor.
• 2003-2004ÌýClimate change threatens aquatic ecosystems of the Rwenzori Mountains, East Africa. Funding bodies: various, includingÌýÌý£7,500;Ìý£360; Grad school & Dean's Fund: c. £2,500 . PI & Expedition leader: Richard Taylor. With Neil Rose, Ginnie Pannizo, Lucinda Mileham and Adinah Shackleton.

Others: Principal or Co - Investigator

• 2012 50 Pressing Questions in Palaeoecology. PIs: Alistair Seddon, Ambroise Baker, University of Oxford. Amount awarded:ÌýÌý£500;ÌýÌý£3100;ÌýÌý£2000; Oxford University £2000.
• 2000 - 2005 Biological, chemical and physical monitoring of Lake Baikal water column. Funding bodies: Royal Society and Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Sciences. Amount awarded: c. £10k per year. With Nick Granin (Limnological Institute) and David Jewson.
• 1998ÌýHolocene Climate Reconstruction. With Rick Battarbee. Funding Source: EU Framework 4 for an 11 dayÌýAdvanced Study Course. Amount awarded: €79,000. Reference: ENV4-CT97-4013. Course Dates: 15th June - 25th June, 1998. See Advanced textbook.
• 1992 Dating recent vegetation changes at the Forest of Bowland since the last 2000 yrs. Amount: £3,400. Funding body:Ìý

Others: Recognised Researcher

• 1996 -1999 The deposition and accumulation of endemic planktonic diatoms in the sediments of Lake Baikal and an evaluation of their potential role in climate reconstruction during the Holocene. Funding body:ÌýÌý(GR3/10529). Amount: £120k. PIs: Rick Battarbee, Roger Flower, Mike Sturm, David Jewson.