My research covers shelf sea and deep ocean fluid dynamics, diagnosed from both observations and numerical model simulations. I have a specific interest in flow-topographic interactions (including internal wave generation, breaking, and the resulting turbulent mixing), particularly at the continental shelf break and in areas of complex bathymetry such as submarine canyons and seamounts. My interest in these hydrodynamic processes is motivated by their interdisciplinary impacts, including biogeochemical fluxes, sediment resuspension, and ecosystem response.
In addition to conventional ship-borne instrumentation and oceanographic moorings, I use a variety of cutting-edge autonomous platforms and sensor systems, including microstructure and Lab-on-Chip biogeochemical sensor equipped ocean gliders. I have led numerous Seaglider missions worldwide as well as multi-platform observational campaigns in challenging marine environments.
Current projects
Polar Ocean Mixing by Internal Tsunamis (POLOMINTS): NERC funded 2025-29
A MISSING LINK between continental shelves and the deep sea: addressing the overlooked role of land-detached submarine canyons: NERC funded 2025-28
Processes driving Submarine Canyon fluxES (PISCES): NERC funded 2024-27
Enabling Sustainable Wind Energy Expansion in Seasonally Stratified Seas (eSWEETS): NERC funded 2024-27
Since 2025
Richter, M. E., K. J. Heywood, R. A. Hall, and P. E. D. Davis, 2025: Observations of ocean turbulent mixing in the Dotson Ice Shelf cavity. Ocean Science, 3341–3359, doi:10.5194/os-21-3341-2025.
Robbins, C., A. J. Matthews, R. A. Hall, B. G. M. Webber, and K. J. Heywood, 2025: The equatorial deep ocean structure associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation from an ocean reanalysis. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 130, e2025JC022457, doi:10.1029/2025JC022457.
Dotto, T. S., P. M. F. Sheehan, Y. Zheng, R. A. Hall, G. M. Damerell, and K. J. Heywood, 2025: Heterogeneous mixing processes observed in the Dotson Ice Shelf overflow, Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 130, e2024JC022051, doi:10.1029/2024JC022051.
Damini, B. Y., A. L. Brum, R. A. Hall, T. S. Dotto, J. L. L. Azevedo, K. J. Heywood, M. M. Matta, C. A. E. Garcia, and R. Kerr, 2025: Summer circulation and water masses transport in Bransfield Strait, Antarctica: an evaluation of their response to combined effects of Southern Annular Mode and El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Deep-Sea Research Part I, 222, 104516, doi: 10.1016/j.dsr.2025.104516.
Di Paolo, M., D. P. Stevens, M. M. Joshi, and R. Hall, 2025: Nonlinear and non-monotonic effect of ocean tidal mixing on exoplanet climates and habitability. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 982, L48, doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adbca3.
Mustafa, J. M., A. J. Matthews, R. A. Hall, K. J. Heywood, and M. V. C. Azaneu, 2025: Modulation of the observed diurnal cycle of precipitation over the Maritime Continent by the Madden-Julian Oscillation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 130, e2024JD042054, doi: 10.1029/2024JD042054.
Zheng, Y., B. G. M. Webber, K. J. Heywood, D. P. Stevens, S. E. Stammerjohn, and R. A. Hall, 2025: Upper-ocean processes and sea ice production in the southeastern Amundsen Sea polynya in austral autumn. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 55, 43–58, doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-24-0006.1.
Lecturing
BSc Marine Science programme: Marine Robotics lecturer
Current research students
Viktoria Nikolaus: PhD 2024-now. University of East Anglia
Shiqiang Hu: PhD 2023-now. Ocean University of China
Brendon Yuri Damini: PhD 2023-now. Federal University of Rio Grande
Morgan Wolf: PhD 2023-now. University of Southampton
Eilean MacDonald: PhD 2022-now. University of East Anglia
Alumni research students
Jack Mustafa: The diurnal cycle of precipitation over the Maritime Continent. PhD 2019-24. University of East Anglia
Philip Leadbitter: Investigating turbulent mixing processes using high-resolution temperature sensors on autonomous ocean gliders. PhD 2017-22. University of East Anglia
Callum Rollo: Shelf, shear and staircases: Glider observations in the North Atlantic. PhD 2017-22. University of East Anglia
David Price: Multi-scale investigations of cold-water coral habitat using novel technology and advanced image analysis. PhD 2016-21. University of Southampton
Tabitha Pearman: Cold-water coral habitat mapping in submarine canyons. PhD 2016-2020. University of Southampton
Ryan Gilchrist: Dynamics and impacts of oil spills from seabed releases in the Faroe-Shetland Channel. PhD 2015-2019. University of East Anglia
Peter Sheehan: Forcing and variability of northwestern inflows into the northern North Sea. PhD 2014-2019. University of East Anglia
Tahmeena Aslam: Internal tides in Whittard Canyon. PhD 2012-2017. University of East Anglia
External examiner
I have been external examiner for six PhD students and internal examiner of five University of East Anglia PhD students.
Scientific Lead of the Scottish Marine Robotics Facility (SMRF)
Ocean Science Editor
International Network for submarine Canyon Investigation and Scientific Exchange (INCISE) Steering Committee
Marine Facilities Advisory Board (MFAB)
Employment history
2025-present: Principal Investigator / Senior Lecturer in Physical Oceanography. SAMS
2018-2025: Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer in Physical Oceanography. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
2012-2018: Lecturer in Shelf Sea Oceanography. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
2009-2011: Postdoctoral Research Associate. University of Hawai‛i at Mānoa
Education
2009 PhD. Physical Oceanography. University of Liverpool
2005: MOcean. Oceanography. University of Southampton