SAMS news room

SAMS scientist appointed head of graduate school

SAMS UHI’s senior lecturer in marine geology, Dr John Howe today succeeds colleague Prof Bill Austin as Graduate School Convenor for the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society (SAGES).

Dr Howe has been head of the Biogeochemistry and Earth Sciences department at the Oban-based SAMS UHI and is currently Degree Programme Leader. He is also supervisor for a number of research students.

His new role with SAGES comes six months after the appointment of another SAMS scientist, Prof Mark Inall, as SAGES Director.

Dr Howe said: “I am delighted to accept this role on behalf of SAGES. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the geoscience student community across Scotland.

“The diversity of research underway in SAGES makes the role both challenging and exciting. Of course I am starting from a strong position and would like to thank my predecessor, Prof Bill Austin, for his excellent work in the role.

“Later in the summer I am very much looking forward to meeting everyone and hearing about their science at the Annual Science Meeting at SAMS in August.”

Dr Howe joined SAMS in 1998 after moving to Oban from a post-doctoral research post with the British Antarctic Survey.

Currently he sits on the steering group of the Marie Curie International Training Network (ITN), Glaciated North Atlantic Margins (GLANAM) project and the NERC National Capability Marine Environmental Mapping Program (MAREMAP). His research focus is on marine geomorphology and habitat mapping, Quaternary ice sheet history, glaciomarine environments and the use of autonomous underwater vehicles in marine mapping.

Prof Inall said: “John has a bold vision for raising the profile of the school and broadening access and training. I'd like to thank Bill for his great work with the school over the years, and welcome John into this key role for SAGES.”