Dr Stephen Hunter

Profile

I completed an MPhys (Hons) in Physics and Space Science at the University of Southampton during which I developed a strong interest in computational physics and its applications. I then went on to do a PhD in the modelling of Late Cretaceous climates and ice-sheets at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge and the University of Leeds. The main goal of this work was to determine if eustatic sea level change during the Latest Cretaceous had glacial origins. Following graduation I then did post doctoral research investigating the role of submarine methane hydrates during Late Quaternary glacial cycles and subsequently the sensitivity of the global inventory to scenarios of future climate change. I am currently a Senior Research Fellow leading a project focussed on the modelling of Phanerozoic Climates, and lead modeller on projects focussed on Jurassic-Cretaceous ocean circulation and biogeography, Miocene-Pliocene Arctic sea ice dynamics and monsoon systems, and Pliocene climate (PlioMIP2).

Research interests

My research interests are in the evaluation of climate models and the modelling and interactions of different earth-system components in palaeo and future contexts. I am experienced in the modelling of the atmosphere-ocean climate system, ice-sheets, vegetation, and methane hydrates. I work across multiple disciplines and have contributed modelling in the studies of macroevolutionary dynamics, palaeoclimatic impacts of volcanoes, and the generation of new palaeogeographic frameworks. I have a strong software engineering background developing software for data mining and statistical analysis, palaeogeographic plate rotations, model integration and coupling, data-model evaluations, algorithm development and GIS software development.

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working 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>

Qualifications

  • PhD, Modelling Antarctic Ice Sheets Under Greenhouse Earth Conditions
  • MPhys, Physics with Space Science

Research groups and institutes

  • Earth Surface Science Institute
  • Palaeo@Leeds