
Palaeontology and stratigraphy research
Explore our work in palaeontology and stratigraphy, 1 of our areas of expertise in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Our research in palaeontology and stratigraphy explores how fossil records can help us understand past climates and environments – and through our greater knowledge of the past, effectively predict and model the threat of climate change and its impact on the Earth’s ecosystems.
We’re addressing fundamental questions of palaeobiology and evolution, and applying biostratigraphy and kerogen analysis to source rock characterisation in hydrocarbon exploration. We’re developing and applying novel analytical techniques in organic matter characterisation, and helping the hydrocarbon industry to improve source rock characterisation.
We’re using applied research in the field of energy resources to optimise the use of existing fossil fuels in emerging and developing economies. We're investigating organism-sediment interactions in the context of fossil preservation, and the colonisation of new ecosystems and ecosystem engineering.
Our work is featured in publications such as Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, and Cretaceous Research. We collaborate on research with international partners, including universities in Europe, USA, Canada, South America, Australia and Africa, and industrial partners in the hydrocarbon and coal exploration industry.
Much of our research makes use of our palaeontology laboratory facilities, which include a Palynology laboratory for acid processing.
Our work explores the following topics
- Palaeobiology and Evolution
- Biostratigraphy and Palynofacies
- Taphonomy and Trace Fossils
- Palaeoclimate and Palaeoecosystems
- Experimental Palaeontology
- Hydrocarbon and Coal Exploration
Publication highlights
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Marine flooding surfaces recorded in Permian black shales and coal deposits of the Main Karoo Basin (South Africa): implications for basin dynamics and cross-basin correlation (2018)
International Journal of Coal Geology, 190, p178–190, Götz, A.E., Ruckwied, K. & Wheeler, A.
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Late Maastrichtian pterosaurs from North Africa and mass extinction of Pterosauria at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary
PLOS Biology 16(4), e1002627, Nicholas R. Longrich, David M. Martill, Brian Andres
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Early bursts of diversification defined the faunal colonization of land, Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 1
0175 (2017), Nicholas J. Minter, Luis A. Buatois, M. Gabriela Mángano, Neil S. Davies, Martin R. Gibling, Robert B. MacNaughton, Conrad C. Labandeira
Discover our areas of expertise
Palaeontology and stratigraphy is 1 of our areas of expertise in the Earth and Environmental Sciences research area. Explore the others below.
Crustal Evolution
We're exploring the fundamental changes that created our planet and the long-term and large-scale processes that shaped the Earth's development through time.

Engineering Geology and Natural Hazards
We're researching the causes, impacts, preparation for and management of natural anthropogenic phenomena such as hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, debris flows, volcanoes and floods.

Environmental processes and impacts
We're looking at the monitoring, movement and impacts of contaminants and pollutants in the environment, and identifying problems and potential solutions.

Research groups
Centre for Applied Geosciences
We're researching the investigation and management of natural and manmade hazards to help communities adapt to environmental change.
Interested in a PhD in Earth & Environmental Sciences?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Earth & Environmental Sciences postgraduate research degrees page.