Professor Cawood will outline the history of Earth and Environmental Sciences at St Andrews (which can be traced back to the mid-1770s). He will highlight the distinctive elements of its teaching profile, which is built in part on the unique geological heritage of Scotland, the quality of its students, the diversity of its research profile, and why in the 21st century understanding Earth and Environmental Sciences is more important than ever for the future of our planet.
Peter Cawood is Professor of Geology at St Andrew’s. Peter is interested in understanding how the Earth has evolved through the enormity of its 4.5 billion years of history to form the environment in which we live and the resources on which we depend. His work is focused on mountain belts, including their mineral deposits, from many disparate parts of the world (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, New Zealand, Norway, Southern Africa, and United Kingdom). Prior to 2010 he was in Perth, Western Australia, where his positions included Director of the Australian Centre of Excellence on Earth history that incorporated nodes at Harvard, Yale and Texas. He also headed a Centre that provided analytical services for over 30 National and International organizations, ranging from the minerals and petroleum sectors to water, agriculture and fisheries groups. From 2008-2010 he was president of the Geological Society of Australia, and was recipient in 2008 of Australia’s highest award in Geology, the Mawson Medal, from the Australian Academy of Sciences. During the mid-1980’s to mid-90’s he was based at Memorial University, Newfoundland.