Earth sciences
The Earth Sciences major is for those that are looking to build new concepts working in a variety of environments. Examine the processes of our earth, soil, water, as well as our spatial science and structural geology. You will learn from leading science researchers who will guide you through a tailored program, specifically designed to give you the skills that employers are seeking. You’ll be able to follow your passions, and customise your study with a wide range of disciplinary choices, incorporating many areas of study. Find scientific solutions to complex problems and gain the confidence that employers are looking for.
Dr Brady Flinchum
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Brady Flinchum is a dedicated researcher who employs near-surface geophysical methods to characterize the critical zone (CZ), which spans from treetops to bedrock and supports terrestrial life.
Dr Michael Kinsela
Lecturer - Coastal and Ocean Geoscience
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Mike is a coastal and marine geologist who investigates how coasts evolved through past climate variations and how human-induced climate change is impacting coasts now and into the future. He uncovers secrets from the seafloor that recorded coastal dynamics during past sea level changes and climate conditions.
Dr Chris Owers
Lecturer - Spatial Information Science
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Chris is a Spatial Scientist, and a specialist in using Remote Sensing to generate critical information about environmental change. Chris’ research covers a number of spatial scales of analysis (e.g. continent-scale, landscape-scale, site-scale) with expertise using a variety of remote sensing technologies.
- Chris.Owers@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249217803
Dr Jason Palozzi
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Jason is a geologist who investigates how mining waste in Australia could be used as a source of critical minerals for clean energy and modern technology. His work treats this waste as a pre-processed resource, helping reduce environmental impacts and support the move toward net-zero emissions.
Dr Sara Polanco
Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Sara is an Earth scientist who investigates how and why terrestrial and coastal systems change over time. She integrates geographic information science, numerical modelling, and fieldwork to mitigate environmental change.
Assoc Prof Hannah Power
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Hannah is a coastal geomorphologist who investigates how the processes, like waves, tides, and currents, change and create hazards in our coastal environments. Hannah works across a range of environments from sandy beaches, to rocky shores, to estuaries and has a strong fieldwork focus in her work.
- Hannah.Power@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249215606
Dr Gabriel Rau
Senior Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Gabriel is an earth scientist, whose work aims to develop and apply methods for the quantification of subsurface processes and properties, leading to improved fundamental process understanding. This includes water flows across the surface/subsoil boundary and the impact.
- Gabriel.Rau@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249217743
Assoc Prof Danielle Verdon-Kidd
Associate Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Danielle is a climate scientist who investigates how climate change and extreme events—such as heatwaves, tropical cyclones, droughts, and floods—shape our landscapes and impact communities. Her work spans tropical, floodplain, and dryland environments, using natural archives like speleothems and tree rings to reconstruct past climate variability and improve understanding of future risks.
- Danielle.Verdon@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249215749
Study with us
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.