- Room 115, Reynolds, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 585902
- gerd.masselink@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Professor Gerd Masselink
Professor of Coastal Geomorphology
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Coastal erosion
- Beaches
- Coastal geomorphology
- Nearshore sediment transport
- Dunes
- Coral reef islands
- Storms
- Surf zone processes
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
Gerd did his MSc degree in Physical Geography at Utrecht University (the Netherlands) from 1984 to 1990, and completed his PhD in Marine Science at Sydney University (Australia) in 1994. After a 4-year postdoc at the University of Western Australia, he started as a Lecturer at Loughborough University (UK) in 1998.
Since 2005, he has been working at the University of Plymouth, first in the School of Geography, then in the School of Marine Science and Engineering, and currently in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences.
Gerd has been (or is) a PI/CI on 15 UK research council funded projects, all involving shoreline dynamics and nearshore sediment transport processes, and has been (or is) involved with supervision of 25 coastal PhD students. Currently, Masselink is: (1) Plymouth lead on the EA-funded Making Space for Sand project (£0.8M); and (2) PI on the UKRI-funded ARISE project (£2.8M), investigating the impact of sea-level rise on atoll islands. He was the chair of the organising committee of the 2013 International Coastal Symposium (hosted at the University of Plymouth), is the author of the A-level text book Changing Coastal Landscapes and the undergraduate textbook Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology, and is editor of the textbook Coastal Environments and Global Change. Apart from his academic role, Gerd has been Associate Head of School (Marine Science) and Associate Head of School (Research), and is currently co-director of the consulting group CMAR - Coastal Marine Applied Research. He is a member of the Coastal Processes Research Group (CPRG) .
Qualifications
2015 Professor in Coastal Geomorphology, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
2009 Professor in Coastal Geomorphology, School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
2007 Professor in Coastal Geomorphology, School of Geography, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
2004 Reader in Coastal Geomorphology, School of Geography, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
2002 Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Geography Department, Loughborough University, United Kingdom
1999 Lecturer in Physical Geography, Geography Department, Loughborough University, United Kingdom
1997 ARC Post-doctoral Fellow, Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia, Australia
1995 UWA Post-doctoral Fellow, Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia, Australia
1991 Part-time tutor, Geography Department, University of Sydney, Australia
1990 Research assistant, Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
1990 Research assistant, Rijkswaterstaat, Dienst Binnenwateren, The Netherlands
1989 Research assistant, Delft Hydraulics Laboratory, The Netherlands
1989 Research assistant, Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Roles on external bodies
Editorial board
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Marine Geology (2012–2022)
Coastal Engineering (2014–2017)
Journal of Coastal Research (2005–2011)
Highlights
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
- GGP2207 - Catchments and Coasts (2nd year)
- OS314 - Ocean Science residential field trip - Module Leader
- OS306 - Coastal Geomorphology and Estuaries
- MAR515 - Management of Coastal Systems (MSc) - Module Leader
- SCI5301 - MSc Dissertation
Staff serving as external examiners
2020 PhD External Examiner – Department of Cybernetics, School of Science, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia (Maris Eelsalu)
2019 PhD External Examiner – Department of Geosciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Anita Engelstad)
2018 PhD External Examiner – Department of Civil Engineering, University of Delft, Delft, the Netherlands (Max Radermacher)
2017 PhD External Examiner – Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Joost Brinkkemper)
2016 PhD Internal Examiner – School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University (Erwin Bergsma)
2013 PhD External Examiner – Department of Physical Geography, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands (Timothy Price)
2011 PhD External Examiner – University of Queensland, Australia (Hannah Powers)
2014 PhD Committee – Center for Applied Coastal Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA (Thijs Lancriet)
2010 PhD External Examiner – Department of Geography, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (Duccio Bertoni)
2008 PhD External Examiner (Examinateur) – Department of Physical Oceanography, University of Brest, Brest, France (David Morellato)
2006 PhD External Examiner (Examinateur) – Université du Littoral, Côte d’Opale, Dunkirk, France (Mouncef Sedrati)
2005 PhD Internal Examiner – School of Engineering, University of Plymouth (Adrian Pedrozo-Acuña)
2004 PhD External Examiner – University of Sydney, Australia (Aaron Couts-Smith)
2003 PhD External Examiner (Rapporteur) – Université du Littoral, Côte d’Opale, Dunkirk, France (Beatrice Reichmuth)
2003–2006 Undergraduate External examiner Physical Geography, Bath Spa University
Research
Research
Research interests
- Beach processes and morphology
- Nearshore hydrodynamics and sediment transport
- Coastal geomorphology, morphodynamics and evolution
- Extreme storm response and recovery
- Impact of sea-level rise on coastal environments
Research groups
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
2022–2026 Madeline Gee – ‘Shifting Seas – Ecological adaptation to changing rates of Sea Level Rise
2020–2024 Aikaterina Konstantinou – Coastal dynamics from space
2019–2024 Josie Alice-Kirby – Application of Coastal Change Management Areas (CCMAs) for coastal adaptation to climate change impacts in SW England (DoS)
2021–2022 Oak McMahon - Natural adaptive capability of coral reef islands to sea-level rise and implications for future human occupation (DoS) (no completion)
2017–2022 Anna Persson – Physical drivers of nursery function in juvenile flatfishes (no completion)
2016–2021 Erin King – Modelling sediment exchange between the beach and the inner continental shelf
2016–2020 Paul Bayle – Coastal resilience under sea-level rise (based at Bath, UK)
2016–2020 Mark Wiggins – Coastal cell response to a changing wave climate using autonomous aerial surveying
2016–2019 Megan Tuck – Dynamics of coral reef islands (based at Auckland, New Zealand)
2015–2019 Nieves Garcia Valiente – Sediment exchange between beach and inner shelf (DoS)
2014–2018 Olivier Burvingt – Beach response to extreme storms along the SW coast of England (DoS)
2015–2017 Rafael Jesús Bergillos – Multi-scale dynamics of mixed sand and gravel deltaic coasts (based at Granada, Spain)
2013–2017 Sebastian Pitman – Automatic Rip Current Detection (based at Southampton, UK)
2013–2017 Kris Inch – Extreme storm dynamics on sandy beaches
2011–2015 Claire Early – Field observations of wave induced coastal cliff erosion, Cornwall, UK (DoS)
2011–2015 Pedro Almeida – Swash Zone Dynamics of coarse-Grained Beaches during Energetic Wave Conditions (DoS)
2011–2015 Robert McCall – Modelling gravel beach storm response using XBeach (DoS)
2011–2014 Anissia White – Managing the Retreat: Understanding the Transition to Salt Marsh in Coastal Realignment Project
2010–2016 Antony Thorpe – Sediment Dynamics in Rip Currents
2010–2014 Saul Reynolds – Tidal Dune Dynamics (no completion)
2009–2013 Suha Zoozi – Estuarine Pollution Dynamics in Agricultural River Basins
2008–2012 Tim Poate – Impact of Wave Hub on Shoreline Processes and Beach Morphology
2007–2011 Alison Nock – An ARC Marine Decision Support System for Coastal Flooding (no completion)
2007–2010 Amaia Ruiz de Alegria Arzaburu – Measuring and Modelling Annual, Seasonal and Storm-Induced Morphological Response on a Gravel Beach (DoS)
2006–2010 Tim Scott – Classification of UK Beaches and Associated Nearshore Hazards (DoS)
2004–2008 Daniel Buscombe – Morpho-Sediment Dynamics of Gravel Beaches (DoS)
2002–2005 Martin Austin – Swash, Groundwater and Sediment Transport Processes on Gravel Beaches (DoS)
2000–2004 Darren Evans – Swash on Steep and Shallow Beaches (DoS)
2000–2004 Selma van Houwelingen – Spatial and Temporal Variability in Ridge and Runnel Morphology along the North Lincolnshire Coast, England (DoS)
2000–2004 Aafke Tonk – Longshore Sediment Transport on Low-Energy Beaches (DoS)
Grants & contracts
2023–2028 UKRI Natural Adaptation of Atoll Islands to Sea-Level Rise Offering Opportunities for Ongoing Human Occupation (ARISE) (PI) (£2,771k)
2022–2027 DEFRA/EA Making Space for Sand (MS4S) (PI) (£866k)
2021–2022 HEIF funding for Beach scanner (BScan) (PI) (£23k)
2021–2022 Newton Bhabha Fund PhD Placement (Reshma KN) (PI) (£9k)
2020–2021 NERC Grant Coastal REsistance: Alerts and Monitoring Technologies (CREAMT) (CI with Dr Jenny Brown of NOC Liverpool) (£170k) (NE/V002589/1)2020–2021 GCRF grant Physical impacts of climate change on coral reef islands (PI) (£50k)
2020–2021 MetOffice-Newton grant WCSSP Africa (Marine and Coastal Applications) Developing operational coastal risk models for rip currents and storm overtopping (PI) (£100k)
2020–2022 EPSRC Overseas Travel Grant Coastal Modelling of Extreme Storms and Sea-level Rise (CMESSR) (PI) (£15k) (EP/T004304/1)
2019–2021 GCRF grant Development of sustainable abalone ranching in South Africa (CI with Dr Tim Scott of University of Plymouth) (£49k)
2019–2020 Creative Associate Award Waves (CI led by Kay Michael of Empty Deck) (£4k)
2017–2022 NERC Environmental Science Impact Programme South West Partnership for Environment and Economic Prosperity (SWEEP) (CI led by University of Exeter (total award £4M, representing £760k for Plymouth) (NE/P011217/1)
2017–2018 European Community's framework programme Horizon 2020 HYDRALAB-PLUS, Contract No. 654110 Dynamic Coastal Protection: Resilience of Dynamic Revetments Under SLR (CI led by University of Bath) (representing approx. £140k)
2016–2020 NERC Strategic Highlight Topics grant, Physical and biological dynamic coastal processes and their role in coastal recovery (BLUE-coast) (CI on consortium grant led by Liverpool NOC; representing £773k for Plymouth) (NE/N015525/1).
2015–2018 Science and Technology Foundation (Portugal), Evolution and Resilience of Barrier Island Systems (EVREST) (Consultant with Dr Ana Matias of Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve) (representing c. £120k)
2014–2016 EPSRC grant Waves Across Shore Platforms (WASP) (PI with Dr Austin of Bangor University) (£263k) (EP/L025191/1)
2014–2015 NERC Urgency grant Impact of sequence of extreme storms during 2013/14 winter on southwest coast of England (PI with Prof. Russell, Dr Davidson, Dr Conley, Dr Scott and Dr Fletcher of Plymouth University) (£51k) (NE/M004996/1)
2012–2014 EPSRC grant Proto-type Experiment and Numerical Modelling of Energetic Sediment Transport under Waves (PESTS) (CI with Dr Daniel Conley of University of Plymouth) (£240k) (EP/K000306/1)
2012–2013 Marine Institute Small Collaborative Research Grant, Quaternary Raised Beaches of Devon and Cornwall: New Data for an Old Problem (CI with Dr Matt Telfer, Prof. Roland Gehrels, Dr Will Marshall, Dr Ken Kingston and Dr Sarah Boulton of Plymouth University) (£5k)
2012–2015 Science and Technology Foundation (Portugal), From Runup to Overwash (RUSH) (Consultant with Dr Ana Matias of Centre for Marine and Environmental Research , University of Algarve) (representing c. £85k)
2011–2015 Environment Agency Grant, Environmental Monitoring of Salt Marsh Restoration Project at South Efford (PI with Dr Ken Kingston, Dr Mick Hanley, Prof. Roland Gehrels and Dr Will Blake of Plymouth University) (£10k)
2012–2013 Marine Institute Small Collaborative Research Grant, Evaluating Sediment Accretion Rates on Restored Saltmarshes using Fallout Be-7 (CI with Dr Will Blake and Dr Mick Hanley of Plymouth University) (£5,000)
2011–2014 European Social Fund, Great Western Research, PhD studentship Coastal Cliff Erosion in Cornwall (PI with Prof. Paul Russell of Plymouth University and Dr Robin Shail of Exeter University) (£60k) (ID152)
2011–2016 EPSRC grant Adaption and Resilience of Coastal Energy Supply (ARCoES) (CI with Prof. Andrew Plater of University of Liverpool) (£150k + £50k studentship) (EP/IO35390/1)
2011-2012 European Community's Seventh Framework Programme, Integrated Infrastructure Initiative HYDRALAB IV Contract no. 261520 Barrier Dynamics Experiments II (PI with 14 international collaborators) (c. £300k)
2011–2014 EPSRC grant New Understanding and Prediction of Storm Impacts on Gravel Beaches (NUPSIG (PI with Dr Paul Russell and Prof. Jon Williams of Plymouth University) (£372k + £50k studentship) (EP/H040056/1)
2010–2012 NERC grant Dynamics of Rip Currents and Implications for Beach Safety (DRIBS) (PI with Dr Paul Russell of Plymouth University and the RNLI) (£396k) (NE/H004262/1)
2009–2011 Seale-Hayne Educational Trust grant Groundwater seepage through gravel barrier beaches: morphological stability and saline-freshwater mixing (£12k) (CI with Dr Martin Austin of Plymouth University)
2008–2009 NERC small grant Beach change over individual wave cycles on sand and gravel beaches (£76k) (PI with Dr Russell of Plymouth University) (NE/F009275/1)
2008–2009 European Community's Sixth Framework Programme, Integrated Infrastructure Initiative HYDRALAB III Contract no. 022441 (RII3) Barrier Dynamics Experiments (representing c. £200k) (CI with Dr Jon Williams of Plymouth University and others)
2008–2009 Seale-Hayne Educational Trust grant Estuarine Situation in Devon and Cornwall: the Role of Agricultural Land Use (£9k) (CI with Dr Roland Gehrels and Dr Will Blake of Plymouth University)
2007–2010 NERC grant Coastal Flooding by Extreme Events (CoFEE) (CI with Dr Jon Williams and Dr Luciana Estevez of Plymouth University) (£180k) (NE/E002471/1)
2007-2010 South-West Regional Development Agency (SWERDA) Wave Hub Impacts on Shoreline and Sediment Processes (WHISSP) (representing c. £450k) (CI with Dr Jon Williams of Plymouth University and others)
2007–2009 ARC Discovery Grant Wave-by-wave bed-level changes at the beachface of gravel and sand beaches (AUD$304k) (PI with Dr Ian Turner of University of New South Wales and Dr Russell of Plymouth University) (DP0770118)
2006–2008 Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Classification and risk assessment of UK beaches (£60k) (with Dr Russell of Plymouth University)
2005–2007 South Hams Society Avon Estuary siltation project (£13k) (CI with Dr Blake and Dr Gehrels of Plymouth University)
2004–2007 NERC grant Cross-shore sediment transport and profile evolution on natural beaches (X-SHORE) (£235k) (CI with Dr Russell and Dr O’Hare of Plymouth University) (NER/A/S/2003/00553)
2000–2004 NERC grant The role of swash in shoreline change (£268k) (CI with Dr Russell of Plymouth University) (NER/S/J/2000/04060)
2000–2004 NERC grant Spatial and temporal variability in ridge and runnel morphology (£35k) (NER/M/S/2000/00281)
2000–2004 EPSRC grant Longshore sediment transport on low-energy beaches (£52k) (PI)
2000 The Royal Society Conference Grant (£800) (RSS/SG/22387/994/D2)
1999–2002 University Grant Classification of the unconsolidated coastline of England and Wales (£3k) (PI)
1998–1999 ARC Small Grant Effect of mid-latitude storms on the coastal environment of Western Australia (AUD$18k) (PI)
1997–1998 ARC Small Grant Sediment transport processes on the beachface and in the inner surf zone of natural beaches (AUD$18k) (PI with Dr Pattiaratchi of the University of Western Australia)
1996–1997 ARC Small Grant The impact of sea breeze activity and storms on the nearshore environment (AUD$18k) (PI)
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Conferences organised
- 2023 Co-organiser 1st UK Coastal Research Conference at University of Plymouth, July, 2023
- 2019 Co-organiser of 5th Sea Level And Coastal Change (SLACC) conference at University of Plymouth, September 2019
- 2013 Organiser International Coastal Symposium, University of Plymouth, April 2013, (£250k budget; £60k profit) (Chair of Organising Committee with members of Coastal Processes Research Group)
- 2007 Organiser YCSEC'07, University in Plymouth
Other academic activities
Editorial board
Marine Geology (2012–2022), Coastal Engineering (2014–2017), Journal of Coastal Research (2005–2011)
Grant review
Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung (AvH, Germany), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC; UK), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC; UK), Australian Research Council (ARC), Comisión Nacional de Investigación scientífica y Technológica Chili (CONICYT), French National Research Agency (ANR), Good Science Fund (GSF, New Zealand), IPCC, Israel Science Foundation (ISF), Leverhulme Trust (UK), National Research Council of Rumania, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), National Science Center (Poland), National Science Foundation (NSF, USA), Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NOSR), Prestige Marie Curie programme (EU), Research Council and the Industrial Research Council KU Leuven, Research Grants Council Hong Kong, Swiss National Science Foundation, Technology Foundation STW Netherlands
Journal review
Advances in Water Resources, Applied Geography, Area, Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, Coastal Engineering, Continental Shelf Research, Earth and Planetary Science, Earth’s Future, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Earth Science Reviews, Environmental Science and Policy, Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Geology, Geo-Marine Letters, Geomorphology, Geophysical Research Letters – Earth, Geophysical Research Letters – Oceans, Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, Journal of Coastal Research, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Journal of Geophysical Research (Earth and Ocean), Journal of Maps, Journal of Oceanography and Marine Science, Journal of Operational Oceanography, Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, Marine Geology, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change., Nature Communications, Nature Climate Change, Ocean Engineering, Oceanologia
Promotions
Universities of Aberdeen, Auckland (2x), Bath, Delaware, Exeter, Ghana, Guyana, Kuwait, Malta, Melbourne, New South Wales (3x), Oregon, Plymouth, South Wales, Sydney, Taiwan, Waikato