In the 21st Century one of the Grand Challenges is to understand and forecast the rate and extent of anthropogenic climate change. Ocean circulation, through its long-term storage and transport of heat, fresh-water and carbon determines the character of climate change. The global ocean is warming (absorbing 90% of the excess heat) and as a consequence sea-level is rising (3 mm/yr) and the oceans are acidifying (absorbing 40% of anthropogenic carbon).
I try to understand the role of the Atlantic Ocean in Earth’s climate and climate change. My research focuses on making sustained observations of Atlantic circulation and properties. I do this using purposefully designed observing programmes. I have been a founding PI in the design and operation of transatlantic arrays of moorings in the subtropical and subpolar Atlantic (http://www.rapid.ac.uk/rapidmoc/ & http://www.ukosnap.org/); in sustained ship-based hydrographic sections as part of the global ocean/climate observing system and using new autonomous observing technologies.
Current research projects
iAtlantic (Integrated Assessment of Atlantic Marine Ecosystems in Space and Time)
Funded by EU Horizon 2020: 2019-2023
Overturning in the Sub-Polar North Atlantic Programme (UK-OSNAP)
Funded by NERC. Phase 1: 2012-18
The transport of heat and freshwater by the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre greatly affects the climate of the North Atlantic and Europe through its impact on air temperature, precipitation and wind strength. It is highly significant to the region's marine ecosystems, the formation of hurricanes, and rainfall in places like the Sahel, the Amazon and parts of USA. However the Subpolar Gyre is presently inadequately measured, and no ocean general circulation or climate model represents it accurately. UK-OSNAP will deliver enhanced understanding of processes critical to the improvement of physics in climate models through sustained observation of ocean circulation and fluxes together with modelling and analysis.
Led by NOC, UK-OSNAP is a partnership between NOC, SAMS, University of Oxford and University of Liverpool. It is part of international OSNAP that is led by USA and includes 10 further partner groups in Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and China. The project will run for 5 years from October 2013 and involves fieldwork at sea and model studies. UK-OSNAP is funded by a Large Grant (£3.7 million) and National Capability funds from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The funding for international OSNAP totals nearly £30 million.
Overturning in the Sub-Polar North Atlantic Programme (International-OSNAP)
Phase 1: 2012-18
Participating institutions: Duke University (USA); Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami (USA); Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA); National Oceanography Centre (UK); SAMS (UK); Oxford University (UK); University of Liverpool (UK); Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Canada); Memorial University (Canada); Ocean University of China; IFREMER (France); IFM-GEOMAR (Germany); Royal Netherland's Institute for Sea Research; North Atlantic Virtual Institute
Extended Ellett Line Hydrographic Programme (EEL)
Funded by NERC. 1948-2020
The Extended Ellett Line is a project to measure and understand the ocean to the west of the UK. We are looking at how and why the currents, temperature and salinity have changed over the past few decades. We also investigate the impact those changes have on climate and ecosystems.
The Extended Ellett Line Project is jointly run by SAMS and the National Oceanography Centre and SAMS, and is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.
Arctic Impact on Weather and Climate (Blue Action)
Funded by EU Horizon 2020. 2016-20
Blue Action contributes to the implementation of the Trans-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance and to the EU's Blue Growth Agenda and its long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole. Our project is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Programme and specifically by the Blue-Growth BG-10-2016 call "Impact of Arctic changes on the weather and climate of the Northern Hemisphere".
Climate Linked Atlantic Sector Science Programme (CLASS)
Funded by NERC. 2018-2024
Delivering knowledge and understanding of the Atlantic Ocean system that society needs for evidence-based decisions on ocean management. Filling knowledge gaps on ocean variability, climate regulation and ocean services, and assessing how the ocean will evolve as a result of climate change and intensified human exploitation.
Selected past projects
Optimising and Enhancing Integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing Systems (AtlantOS)
Funded by EU Horizon 2020. 2015-18
A large scale EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation project contributing to the Trans-Atlantic Research Alliance and GEO.
A Trans-Atlantic Assessment and Deep-Water Ecosystem-Based Spatial Management Plan for Europe (ATLAS)
Funded by EU Horizon 2020. 2016-18
This European Union Horizon 2020 funded project creates a dynamic new partnership between multinational industries, SMEs, governments, and academia to assess the Atlantic's deep-sea ecosystems and Marine Genetic Resources to create the integrated and adaptive planning products needed for sustainable Blue Growth.
North Atlantic Climate: Predictability of the climate in the North Atlantic/European sector related to North Atlantic/Arctic sea surface temperature and sea ice variability and change (NACLIM)
Funded by EU FP7. 2012-17 - NACLIM project website
Will the Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation Halt? (RAPID-WATCH)
Funded by NERC. 2008-17 - RAPID-WATCH project website
Monitoring the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26.5oN (RAPID)
Funded by NERC. 2004-08 - RAPID website
Thermohaline Overturning at Risk? (THOR)
Funded by EU FP7. 2007-12 - THOR project overview
Postdoc advisor
Dr Loic Houpert, SAMS
Dr Clare Johnson, SAMS
Dr Marie Porter, SAMS
Lecturing
Marine Science BSc: Module leader year 3 'Ocean Circulation and Climate'
Current research students
Alumni research students
Kamila Walicka: Impacts of basin-scale forcing on the circulation of the Faroe Shetland Channel. PhD. 2015-18. Unicersity of the Highlands and Islands
Elizabeth Comer: Causes and Impacts of Decadal Ocean Climate Variability in the Subpolar North Atlantic. PhD. 2014- (part-time). NERC Case Studentship.
Frazer Christie: Constraining Ice, Ocean and Climate interaction in the Bellingshausen sea sector of West Antarctica. PhD. 2014-17. Trust for the Universities of Scotland: Carnegie PhD Scholarship
Neil Frazer: Impact of fjord/shelf exchange on glacial melting in SE Greenland. PhD. 2013-16. Panel member
Sam Jones: Shelf-edge exchange and the influence on coastal oceanography. PhD. 2012-15. University of the Highlands and Islands. Panel member
Google Scholar (updated 28 Apr 2021)
Citations: 6,662
h-index: 34
i10-index: 63
HIGHLIGHT PUBLICATIONS
Lozier et al (2019) A sea change in our view of overturning in the subpolar North Atlantic. Science, 363 (6426), 516-521: doi: 10.1126/science.aau6592
Cunningham, S. A., C. D. Roberts, et al. (2013). "Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation slowdown causes widespread cooling in the Atlantic." Geophys. Res. Letters, 40(23) : doi:10.1002/2013GL058464.
Peer-reviewed publications
2022
Fox AD, Handmann P, Schmidt C, Fraser N, Rühs S, Sanchez-Franks A, Martin T, Oltmanns M, Johnson C, Rath W, Holliday NP, Biastoch A, Cunningham SA, Yashayaev I (2022) Exceptional freshening and cooling in the eastern subpolar North Atlantic caused by reduced Labrador Sea surface heat loss. Ocean Sci., 18, 1507–1533, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1507-2022
2021
Li F, Lozier MS, Bacon S, Bower AS, Cunningham SA, de Jong MF, deYoung B, Fraser N, Fried N, Han G, Holliday NP, Holte J, Houpert L, Inall ME, Johns WE, Jones S, Johnson C, Karstensen J, Le Bras IA, Lherminier P, Lin X, Mercier H, Oltmanns M, Pacini A, Petit T, Rickart RS, Rayner D, Straneo F, Thierry V, Visbeck M, Yahayaev I & Zhou-Show C (2021) Subpolar North Atlantic western boundary desity anomalies and the Meridional Overturning Circulation. Nature Communications 12: 3002 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23350-2
Gould, J. W. and S. A. Cunningham (2021). "Global-scale patterns of observed sea surface salinity intensified since the 1870s." Nature Communications Earth & Environment.
2020
Holliday, N. P., M. Bersch, B. Berx, L. Chafik, S. Cunningham, C. Florindo-Lopez, H. Hatun, W. Johns, S. A. Josey, K. M. H. Larsen, S. Mulet, M. Oltmanns, G. Reverdin, T. Rossby, V. Thierry, H. Valdimarsson and I. Yashayaev (2020). "Ocean circulation causes the largest freshening event for 120 years in eastern subpolar North Atlantic." Nat Commun 11(1): 585.
Johnson, C., M. Inall, S. Gary and S. Cunningham (2020). "Significance of Climate Indices to Benthic Conditions Across the Northern North Atlantic and Adjacent Shelf Seas." Frontiers in Marine Science 7.
McCarthy, G. D., L. C. Jackson, S. A. Cunningham, N. P. Holliday, D. Smeed and D. P. Stevens (2020). "MCCIP Science Review 2020 Effects of climate change on the Atlantic Heat Conveyor relevant to the UK." MCCIP Science Review 2020: 207.
Houpert, L., S. Cunningham, N. Fraser, C. Johnson, N. Holliday, S. Jones, B. Moat and D. Rayner (2020) Observed variability of the North Atlantic Current in the Rockall Trough from four years of mooring measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 125, doi:10.1029/2020JC016403.
Gary SF, Fox AD, Biastoch A, Roberts JM, Cunningham SA (2020) Larval behaviour, dispersal and population connectivity in the deep sea. Scientific Reports 10: 10675 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67503-7
Petit, T., M. S. Lozier, S. A. Josey and S. A. Cunningham (2020). "Atlantic Deep Water Formation Occurs Primarily in the Iceland Basin and Irminger Sea by Local Buoyancy Forcing." Geophysical Research Letters 47(22).
2019
Frajka-Williams, E., I. J. Ansorge, J. Baehr, H. L. Bryden, M. P. Chidichimo, S. A. Cunningham, G. Danabasoglu, S. Dong, K. A. Donohue, S. Elipot, P. Heimbach, N. P. Holliday, R. Hummels, L. C. Jackson, J. Karstensen, M. Lankhorst, I. A. Le Bras, M. S. Lozier, E. L. McDonagh, C. S. Meinen, H. Mercier, B. I. Moat, R. C. Perez, C. G. Piecuch, M. Rhein, M. A. Srokosz, K. E. Trenberth, S. Bacon, G. Forget, G. Goni, D. Kieke, J. Koelling, T. Lamont, G. D. McCarthy, C. Mertens, U. Send, D. A. Smeed, S. Speich, M. van den Berg, D. Volkov and C. Wilson (2019). "Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Observed Transport and Variability." Frontiers in Marine Science 6.
M.S. Lozier, F. Li, S. Bacon, F. Bahr, A.S. Bower, S.A. Cunningham, M.F. de Jong, L. de Steur, B. deYoung, J. Fischer, S.F. Gary, B.J.W. Greenan, N.P. Holliday, A. Houk, L. Houpert, M.E. Inall, W.E. Johns, H.L. Johnson, C. Johnson, J. Karstensen, G. Koman, I.A. Le Bras, X. Lin, N. Mackay, D.P. Marshall, H. Mercier, M. Oltmanns, R.S. Pickart, A.L. Ramsey, D. Rayner, F. Straneo, V. Thierry, D.J. Torres, R.G. Williams, C. Wilson, J. Yang, I. Yashayaev, J. Zhao (2019) A sea change in our view of overturning in the subpolar North Atlantic. Science, 363 (6426), 516-521: doi: 10.1126/science.aau6592
Østerhus, S., R. Woodgate, H. Valdimarsson, B. Turrell, L. de Steur, D. Quadfasel, S. M. Olsen, M. Moritz, C. M. Lee, K. M. H. Larsen, S. Jónsson, C. Johnson, K. Jochumsen, B. Hansen, B. Curry, S. Cunningham and B. Berx (2019). "Arctic Mediterranean exchanges: a consistent volume budget and trends in transports from two decades of observations." Ocean Science 15(2): 379-399.
2018
, , , , , , … (2018). Seasonal cycles of oceanic transports in the Eastern Subpolar North Atlantic. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 123. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JC013350
2017
Robert Marsh, Ivan D. Haigh, Stuart A. Cunningham, Mark E. Inall, Marie Porter, and Ben I. Moat (2017)
Large-scale forcing of the European Slope Current and associated inflows to the North Sea, Ocean Science, 13, 315-335, doi:10.5194/os-13-315-2017
Johnson, C., T. Sherwin, S. Cunningham, E. Dumont, L. Houpert, and N. P. Holliday (2017), Transports and pathways of overflow water in the Rockall Trough, Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers.
Gary, S. F., S. A. Cunningham, C. Johnson, L. Houpert, N. P. Holliday, E. Behrens, A. Biastoch, and C. W. Boning (2017), Seasonal cycles of ocean fluxes in the eastern subpolar North Atlantic, Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, submitted.
Houpert, L., S. A. Cunningham, M. Inall, and S. Gary (2017), Transport, Structure and Energetics of the North Atlantic Current in the Eastern Part of the Subpolar Gyre from Observations, J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, in prep.
2016
Lozier, M. S., et al. (2016), Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program: a new international ocean observing system, Bull. Amer. Meteo. Soc., in press, 1-40.
Cunningham, S. A., B. Berx, C. Johnson, L. Houpert, and S. Gary (2016), Ocean Heat Content and Transport of Energy in the Subpolar North Atlantic, Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, submitted (Dec 2016).
2015
Marzocchi, A., J. Hirschi, J.-M, N. P. Holliday, S. A. Cunningham, A. T. Blaker, and A. C. Coward (2015), The North Atlantic subpolar circulation in an eddy-resolving global ocean model, Journal of Marine Systems, 142, 126-143, doi:doi:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.10.007.
Holliday, N. P., S. A. Cunningham, C. Johnson, S. F. Gary, C. Griffiths, J. F. Read, and T. Sherwin (2015), Multidecadal variability of potential temperature, salinity, and transport in the eastern subpolar North Atlantic, Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 120(9), 5945-5967, doi:10.1002/2015JC010762.
McDonagh, E. L., B. A. King, H. L. Bryden, P. Courtois, Z. Szuts, M. Baringer, S. A. Cunningham, C. Atkinson, and G. McCarthy (2015), Continuous Estimate of Atlantic Oceanic Freshwater Flux at 26.5°N, Journal of Climate, 28(22), 8888-8906, doi:papers2://publication/doi/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00519.1.
2014
*Smeed, D. A., G. McCarthey, S. A. Cunningham, E. Frajka-Williams, D. Rayner, W. Johns, M. O. Barringer, A. Duchez, B. Moat and H. L. Bryden (2014). "Observed decline of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation 2004 to 2012." Ocean Sci. 10(29-38): doi:10.5194/os-5110-5129-2014.
Clément, L., E. Frajka-Williams, Z. B. Szuts, and S. A. Cunningham (2014), Vertical structure of eddies and Rossby waves, and their effect on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 26.5°N, Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, 119(9), 6479-6498, doi:doi:10.1002/2014JC010146.
Duchez, A., J. J.-M. Hirshchi, A. Blaker, H. Bryden, G. McCarthy, E. Frajka-Williams, D. Rayner, D. A. Smeed, S. A. Cunningham, and C. Atkinson (2014), A new index for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26°N, J. Clim., 27(17), 6439-6455.
Carton, J. A., S. A. Cunningham, E. Frajka-Williams, Y.-O. Kwon, D. P. Marshall, and R. Msadek (2014), The Atlantic overturning circulation: more evidence of variability and links to climate, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 95(8), ES163-ES166.
Cunningham, S. A. (2014), The Oceans, in The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World 14th edition, edited, pp. 32-33, HarperCollins, Glasgow.
2013
Baringer, M. O., W. E. Johns, et al. (2013). "Meridional overturning circulation and heat transport observations in the Atlantic Ocean." Bull. Am. Met. Soc. 94(8 (August 2013)): S65-S68.
Carton, J., S. A. Cunningham, E. Frajka-Williams, Y.-O. Kwon, D. P. Marshall, and R. Msadek (2014), The Atlantic Overturning Circulation: More evidence of variability and links to climate, Bull. Am. Met. Soc., in press, doi:doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00234.1.1111-00151.001
Cunningham, S. A., T. O. Kanzow and M. O. Baringer (2013). "The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC)." IPCC WGI Fifth Assessment Report.
*Cunningham, S. A., C. D. Roberts, et al. (2013). "Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation slowdown causes widespread cooling in the Atlantic." Geophys. Res. Letters Accepted manuscript online: 28 NOV 2013 10:23PM EST | DOI: 10.1002/2013GL058464.
Duchez, A., J. J.-M. Hirshchi, A. Blaker, H. Bryden, G. McCarthy, E. Frajka-Williams, D. Rayner, D. A. Smeed, S. A. Cunningham, and C. Atkinson (2014), A new index for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26°N, J. Clim., 27(17), 6439-6455. Holliday, N. P. and S. A. Cunningham (2013). "The Extended Ellett Line: Discoveries from 65 years of marine observations west of the UK." Oceanography: doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2013.5617.
Smeed, D., R. Wood, S. Cunningham, G. McCarthy, T. Kuhlbrodt and S. Dye (2013). "Impacts of climate change on the Atlantic Heat Conveyor (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation)." MCCIP Science Review 4.
Frajka‐Williams, E., W. E. Johns, C. Meinen, L. Beal, and S. Cunningham (2013), Eddy impacts on the Florida Current, Geophysical Research Letters, 40(2), 349-353.
2012
McCarthy, G., E. Frajka-Williams, et al. (2012). "Observed interannual variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 26.5°N " Geophys. Res. Letters 39(19): doi:10.1029/2012GL052933.
Srokoz, M. A., M. Baringer, et al. (2012). "Past, present and future change in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation." Bull. Am. Met. Soc.: 10.1175/BAMS-D-
2011
Atkinson, C., H. L. Bryden, S. A. Cunningham and B. A. King (2011). "Atlantic Transport Variability at 25°N in Six Hydrographic Sections." Ocean Sci. Discuss. 6: 837-859.
Baringer, M. O., T. Kanzow, C. S. Meinen, S. A. Cunningham, D. Rayner, W. E. Johns, H. L. Bryden, E. Frajka-Williams, M. P. Chidichimo, L. M. Beal and J. Marotzke (2011). "Meridional Overturning Circulation Observations in the Subtropical North Atlantic, in State of the Climate in 2010." Bull. Am. Met. Soc. 92(S95-S98).
Frajka-Williams, E., S. A. Cunningham, H. L. Bryden and J.-M. Hirschi (2011). "Variability of Antarctic bottom water at 26.5N in the Atlantic." J. Geophys. Res. - Oceans 116(C11): C11026.
Johns, W. E., L. M. Beal, M. O. Baringer, S. A. Cunningham, T. Kanzow, H. L. Bryden, J. Hirschi, J. Marotzke, C. Meinen, B. Shaw, and R. Curry, 2011: Continuous, array-based estimates of Atlantic Ocean heat transport at 26.5°N. J. Clim., 24(10): 2429-2449.
Rayner, D., J.-M. Hirschi, T. Kanzow, W. E. Johns, P. G. Wright, E. Frajka-Williams, H. L. Bryden, C. S. Meinen, M. O. Baringer, J. Marotzke, L. M. Beal and S. A. Cunningham (2011). "Monitoring the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation." Deep Sea Research II 58: 1744-1753.
2010
Cunningham, S. A. and R. Marsh, 2010: Observing and modelling changes in the Atlantic MOC. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 1, 180-190.
Cunningham, S. A., M. O. Baringer, J. Toole, S. Østerhaus, J. Fischer, A. Piola, E. McDonagh, S. Lozier, U. Send, T. Kanzow, J. Marotzke, M. Rhein, S. L. Garzoli, S. Rintoul, S. Speich, S. Wijffels, L. Talley, J. Baehr, C. Meinen, A.-M. Treguier, and P. Lherminier, 2010: The present and future system for measurning the Atlantic Meridional overturning circulation and heat transport. OceanObs'09: Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society (Vol 2), WPP-306.
Kanzow, T., S. A. Cunningham, W. E. Johns, J. J.-M. Hirschi, J. Marotzke, M. O. Baringer, C. S. Meinen, M. P. Chidichimo, C. Atkinson, L. M. Beal, H. L. Bryden, and J. Collins, 2010: Seasonal variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 26.5°N. J. Clim., 23(21): doi: 10.1175/2010JCLI3389.1171.
Rintoul, S. R., M. Balmasada, S. A. Cunningham, S. Dushaw, S. L. Garzoli, A. Gordon, P. Heimbach, M. Hood, G. Johnson, M. Latif, U. Send, C. Shum, S. Speich, and D. Stammer, 2010: Deep circulation and meridional overturning: Recent progress and a stategy for sustained observations. OceanObs'09: Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society (Vol 2), WPP-306.
Smith, G. C., K. Haines, T. Kanzow, and S. A. Cunningham, 2010: Impact of hydrographic data assimilation on the modelled Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Ocean Science, 6, 761-774.
2009
Baehr, J., S. A. Cunningham, H. Haak, P. Heimbach, T. Kanzow, and J. Marotzke, 2009: Observed and simulated estimates of the meridional overturning circulation at 26.5°N in the Atlantic. Ocean Science, 5, www.ocean-sci.net/5/575/2009.
Bryden, H. L., A. Mujahid, S. A. Cunningham, and T. Kanzow, 2009: Adjustment of the basin-scale circulation at 26°N to variations in Gulf Stream, deep western boundary current and Ekman transports as observed by the Rapid array. Ocean Science, 6, 871-908.
Kanzow, T., H. Johnson, D. Marshall, S. A. Cunningham, J. J.-M. Hirschi, A. Mujahid, H. L. Bryden, and W. E. Johns, 2009: Basin-wide integrated volume transports in an eddy-filled ocean. J. Phys. Oceanog., 39, 3091–3110.
2008
Johns, W. E., L. M. Beal, M. O. Baringer, J. Molina, D. Rayner, S. A. Cunningham, and T. O. Kanzow, 2008: Variability of shallow and deep western boundary currents off the Bahamas during 2004-2005: First results from the 26°N RAPID-MOC array. J. Phys. Oceanog., 38, 605-623.
Kanzow, T., J. J.-M. Hirschi, C. S. Meinen, D. Rayner, S. A. Cunningham, J. Marotzke, W. E. Johns, H. L. Bryden, L. M. Beal, and M. O. Baringer, 2008: A prototype system of observing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation – scientific basis, measurement and risk mitigation strategies, and first results. Journal of Operational Oceanography, 1, 19-28.
Saunders, P. M. and S. A. Cunningham, 2008: Mean Meridional Overturning in the North Atlantic at 24-26°N: Observations and Models. A comment on Wunsch and Heimbach (2006). J. Phys. Oceanog., 38, 2104-2107.
2007
Baehr, J., H. Haak, S. G. Alderson, S. A. Cunningham, J. H. Jungclaus, and J. Marotzke, 2007: Timely detection of changes in the meridional overturning circulation at 26°N in the Atlantic. J. Climate, 20, 5827–5841.
Cunningham, S. A. and S. G. Alderson (2007). "Transatlantic temperature and salinity changes at 24.5°N from 1957 to 2004." Geophys. Res. Letters 34(L14606): doi:10.1029/2007GL029821.
Cunningham, S. A., T. O. Kanzow, D. Rayner, M. O. Barringer, W. E. Johns, J. Marotzke, H. R. Longworth, E. M. Grant, J. J.-M. Hirschi, L. M. Beal, C. S. Meinen, and H. L. Bryden, 2007: Temporal variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26.5°N. Science, 317, 935-938.
Johns, W. E., L. M. Beal, M. O. Baringer, J. Molina, D. Rayner, S. A. Cunningham, and T. O. Kanzow, 2007: Variability of shallow and deep western boundary currents off the Bahamas during 2004-2005: First results from the 26°N RAPID-MOC array. J. Phys. Oceanog., doi: 10.1175/2007JPO3791.1, 605-623.
Kanzow, T., S. A. Cunningham, D. Rayner, J. J.-M. Hirschi, W. E. Johns, M. O. Baringer, H. L. Bryden, L. M. Beal, C. S. Meinen, and J. Marotzke, 2007: Observed flow compensation associated with the MOC at 26.5°N in the Atlantic. Science, 317, 938-941.
2006
Williams, A., S. Bacon, and S. A. Cunningham, 2006: Variability of the lower circumpolar deep water in Drake Passage 1926-2004. Geophys. Res. Letters, 33, 1-5.
2005
Cunningham, S. A., 2005: Southern Ocean Circulation. Archives of Natural History, 32, 265-280.
Bryden, H. L., H. R. Longworth, and S. A. Cunningham, 2005: Slowing of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26.5°N. Nature, 438, 655-657.
2004
McDonagh, E. L., H. L. Bryden, B. A. King, R. I. Sanders, S. A. Cunningham, and R. Marsh, 2004: Decadal changes in the South Indian Ocean thermocline. Journal of Climate, 18, 1575-1590.
2003
Bryden, H. L. and S. A. Cunningham, 2003: How wind forcing and the air-sea heat exchange determine meridional temperature gradient and stratification for the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. JGR, 108, doi:10.1029/2001JC001296.
Cunningham, S. A., S. G. Alderson, M. A. Brandon, and B. A. King, 2003: Transport and variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 10.1029/2001JC001147.
Duncan, L. M., H. L. Bryden, and S. A. Cunningham, 2003: Friction and mixing in the Faroe Bank Channel outflow. Oceanologica Acta, 26, 473-486.
Hirschi, J., J. Baehr, J. Marotzke, J. Stark, S. A. Cunningham, and J.-O. Beismann, 2003: A monitoring design for the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Geophys. Res. Letters, 30, 10.1029/2002GL016776.
2001
Send, U., B. Weller, S. Cunningham, C. Eriksen, T. Dickey, M. Kawabe, R. Lukas, M. McCartney, and S. Østerhus (2001), Oceanographic Timeseries Observatories, in Observing the Oceans in the 21st century, edited by C. J. Koblinsky and N. R. Smith, pp. 376-390, 2001 GODAE Project Office, Melbourne.
2000
Cunningham, S. A., 2000: Circulation and Volume Flux of the North Atlantic using Synoptic Hydrographic Data in a Bernoulli Inverse. J. Mar. Res., 58, 1-35.
1999
Alderson, S. G. and S. A. Cunningham, 1999: The effect of ships attitude on ADCP measurements. J. Atmos. Oceanic Tech., 16, 96-106.
1996
Pollard, R. T., M. J. Griffiths, S. A. Cunningham, F. R. Read and F. F. Perez (1996). "Vivaldi 1991 - A study of the formation, circulation and ventilation of Eastern North Atlantic Central Water." Prog. Oceanog. 37: 167-192.
1995
Cunningham, S. A. and T. W. N. Haine, 1995: Labrador Sea Water in the Eastern North Atlantic. Part I: A synoptic circulation inferred from a minimum in potential vorticity. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 649-665.
Cunningham, S. A. and T. W. N. Haine, 1995: Labrador Sea Water in the Eastern North Atlantic. Part II: Mixing dynamics and the advective-diffusive balance. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 666-678.
Thesis
Cunningham, S. A., 1991: Hydrography of the Clyde Sea and the Clyde Sea Front, University College of North Wales, 86pp.
Cunningham, S.A., 1998: Circulation and volume flux of the North Atlantic using synoptic hydrographic data in a Bernoulli inverse, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Liverpool, 179pp. This work proposed a new geostrophic streamfunction that was adopted under TEOS-10 in the new sea water routines (gsw_geo_surf_Cunningham, http://www.teos-10.org/pubs/Getting_Started.pdf).
A selection of edited books, magazine articles and media coverage
Cunningham, S. A. (2016), Modern Observational Physical Oceanography: Understanding the Global Ocean by Carl Wunsch : Reviewed by Stuart A. Cunningham, in Physics Today, edited, American Institute of Physics, doi:10.1063/PT.3.3054.
Cunningham, S. A. and T. W. N. Haine, Eds., 1996: Circulation of Labrador Sea Water from potential vorticity. Understanding Ocean circulation: UK WOCE: the first six years, SOC, 32 pp.
Gould, W. J. and S. A. Cunningham, 1999: The Oceans and their Circulation. Times Atlas of the World, 2.
Cunningham, S.A., 2008: Ocean Circulation and Climate. The "Times" Comprehensive Atlas of the World 12th Edition, M. Ashworth, Ed., Collins.
Cunningham, S. A. (2011). The Oceans. The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World 13th edition. S. Shanks. Glasgow, Harper Collins: 32-33.
Cunningham, S.A., 2004: Rapid Climate Change. Newsnight, BBC, 15mins.
Cunningham, S. A. and M. A. Srokoz, 2004: Rapid Climate Change: The Day After Tomorrow. BBC South Today, BBC, 5mins.
Marotzke, J., S. A. Cunningham, and H. L. Bryden, 2003: Monitoring the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 26.5 degrees N. Rapid Climate Change (RAPID) NERC Thematic Programme. "Kick-Off" Meeting 21st-22nd January 2003, Scarman House, University of Warwick, NER/T/S/2002/481.
Send, U., B. Weller, S. A. Cunningham, C. Eriksen, T. Dickey, M. Kawabe, R. Lukas, M. McCartney, and S. Østerhus, 2001: Oceanographic Timeseries Observatories. Observing the Oceans in the 21st century, C. J. Koblinsky and N. R. Smith, Eds., 2001 GODAE Project Office, 376-390.
Cunningham, S.A., 2004: The Atlantic conveyor belt. Planet Earth, 12-13.
Cunningham, S.A., 2008: The Atlantic Array. Rapid Climate Change. The Rapid Climate Change Programme, O. Gaffney, Ed., Natural Environment Research Council, 29.
Cunningham, S.A., 2009: Comment on "Model projections of rapid sea-level rise on the northeast coast of the United States" by Jianjun Yin et al. A. Morales, Ed., Bloomberg.com.
Cunningham, S.A., 2009: New York will bear brunt of uneven sea level rise. A comment on "Model projections of rapid sea-level rise on the northeast coast of the United States" by Jianjun Yin et al. A. Anarthaswamy, Ed., New Scientist.
Cunningham, D. S. A. (2015), Pennie Latin talks to Professor Stuart Cunningham named oceanographer of the year in 2014, in Brainwaves, edited by P. Latin, p. 28mins, BBC Radio Scotland, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b053bmqf.
Cunningham, S.A., Gould, J., Guymer, T., Srokosz, M. 2012: Looking into the Deep, Economist Letters, 2nd June 2012.
Prizes / awards
The Society for Underwater Technology Oceanography Award 2014
Professional activities
NERC Programme Advisory Group: Member for the RAPID & OSNAP programmes since 2014
NERC Marine Facilities Advisory Board: Member since 2012
Challenger Society for Marine Science, History Special Interest Group: Member since 2016
Challenger Society for Marine Science: Patron for the 150th anniversary in 2022 since 2017
Principal Scientist on six NERC & European Union Grants
Chair of Dynamics and Properties of Marine Systems (2012-2015) for the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (a Scottish Government funded research-pooling initiative across 12 Scottish Universities and Research Laboratories)
International Panel on Climate Change, AR5: Author
International Reviewer: Norwegian, German and Australian Government funded marine science programmes
CLIVAR Southern Ocean (2001-2004) and Atlantic Panel (2004-2007) member
Public engagement
My public engagement activities have focused on public lectures (e.g. U3A), popular articles (e.g. Times Atlas, Planet Earth), comments in general interest magazines (e.g. Economist) and some broadcast media contributions (e.g. Brainwaves on Radio Scotland). While most are opportunistic, some are linked to key stages in research programmes. The most impactful engagement was contributing to the RAPID Climate Change DVD that was sent to every MP in the UK, and has been widely used as a teaching resource.
Cunningham, S.A., 1999-2014: Ocean Circulation and Climate. The "Times" Comprehensive Atlas of the World 11th, 12th and 13th Editions
Cunningham, S.A., 2004: The Atlantic conveyor belt. Planet Earth, 12-13
Cunningham, S.A., 2009: New York will bear brunt of uneven sea level rise. A comment on "Model projections of rapid sea-level rise on the northeast coast of the United States" by Jianjun Yin et al. A. Anarthaswamy, Ed., New Scientist
Cunningham, S. A. and M. A. Srokoz, 2004: Rapid Climate Change: The Day After Tomorrow. BBC South Today, BBC, 5mins
Cunningham, S.A., 2004: Rapid Climate Change. Newsnight, BBC, 15mins
Cunningham, S. A., 2004: Southern Ocean Circulation and Climate. A Century of Discovery: Antarctic Exploration and the Southern Ocean, Southampton Oceanography Centre. Invited speaker
Cunningham, S.A., 2016: The Atlantic Ocean and Climate, University of the 3rd Age, Invited Speaker (23rd March 2016)
Cunningham, S.A. (2004-2005): I attended perhaps a dozen viewings of the film “The Day After Tomorrow” leading a question and answer session on climate change to groups of ~250 secondary age students
Cunningham, S.A., Gould, J., Guymer, T., Srokosz, M. 2012: Looking into the Deep, Economist Letters, 2nd June 2012
Cunningham, S.A. 2015: Brainwaves BBC Radio Scotland ed. Penny Latin (23/2/2015; 29 mins)
Collaborators
Susan Lozier (Duke University); William Johns (RSMAS, University of Miami); Igor Yashaev (BIO, Canada); Stefan Olsen (Danish Meteorological Institute); Daniela Matei (Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Germany); Johannes Karstensen (GEOMAR, Kiel); Penny Holliday (NOCS, UK); Gerard McCarthy (NOCS, UK); Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh); David Thornally (UCL, UK); Barbara Berx (Marine Science Scotland); Harry Bryden, FRS (University of Southampton).
Employment history
2016-present: University of the Highlands and Islands Professor. SAMS and leader of the Research Area for Environmental Physics and Autonomous Technology (2016-19)
2012-16: Senior Lecturer / Professor, SAMS; and Chair of Dynamics and Properties of Marine Systems, MASTS
2004-12: Band 7 Principal Scientist. National Oceanography Centre. NERC
1995-2004: Higher Scientific Officer. Southampton Oceanography Centre. NERC
1993-95: Scientific Officer. James Rennell Centre & Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Deacon Laboratory. NERC
1990-93: Research Assistant. James Rennell Centre & Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Deacon Laboratory. NERC
Qualifications
1999 PhD in Physical Oceanography. University of Liverpool
1990 MSc in Physical Oceanography. University College of North Wales
1989: BSc in Astrophysics. University of Edinburgh