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Dr Declan Finney

Dr Declan Finney

Profile

Declan is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow within the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS) at the University of Leeds. His research uses a wide range of approaches from satellite to in-situ observations, and global to regional modelling, to understand the role of clouds in weather and climate.

The UKRI fellowship enables a project pioneering a novel cloud observation approach. “DOOC: Drone Observation Of Clouds and their effect on weather and climate” will use drone observations of clouds to both enhance UK weather forecasting and provide globally unique insights into cloud–climate interactions.

Declan has previously worked on the DCMEX project studying the microphysics and dynamics of deep convective clouds, and their importance for understanding climate change. And he worked on the HyCRISTAL project researching moist convective processes in East Africa using a convection-permitting model applied to present-day and future climates. Declan’s PhD, carried out at the University of Edinburgh, investigated the interactions of lightning, climate change and atmospheric chemistry.

In between research posts, Declan spent a year within ClimateXChange project managing climate policy research on behalf of Scottish Government.

PhD opportunities

I don’t currently have any funded PhD opportunities. However, I am keen to offer what guidance I can to those from underrepresented groups in academia with regard to overcoming barriers. In particular, I may be able to offer advice to those from working-class backgrounds. If you have any questions about finding your way in research, or working out if it’s right for you, then feel free to email me – I will do my best to reply.

Research interests

  • Cloud physics
  • Meteorology
  • Climate and climate change
  • Moist convective processes
  • Tropical meteorology and climate
  • Lightning and its impacts
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Some research projects I'm currently working on, or have worked on, will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>
Primary investigator (PI)
Co-investigator (Co-I)

Qualifications

  • PhD Atmospheric Science, University of Edinburgh
  • MPhys Physics, University of Bath

Professional memberships

  • Associate Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society

Research groups and institutes

  • Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science
  • Dynamics and Clouds
  • Physical Climate and Cryosphere
  • Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosols

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>