- A527 Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 585570
- matt.telfer@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Matt Telfer
Associate Professor of Physical Geography
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Climate change
- Geomorphology
- Deserts
- Dune formation
- Pluto
- Planetary surface processes
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
As an Associate Professor in Physical Geography in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, I teach on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. My research interests lie in geomorphology, geochronology and environmental change, especially in drylands.
Qualifications
I have a BSc (Joint Hons.) from the University of Bristol in Geography and Geology, and after narrowly avoiding a career in petroleum geology, I worked for the University of Southampton's palaeoecology laboratory for 3 years. Following this, I started a part-time PhD at the University of Sheffield with Prof David Thomas, studying the late Quaternary development of the southwestern Kalahari desert. I earned my keep at the time with various technical and RA projects, including the development of a GIS database to support a co-IGCP (International Geological Correlation Programme) initiative, and support for the luminescence dating labs in Sheffield. I moved to Oxford University in 2005, working initially as a Technician whilst I finished my PhD (awarded 2007), and then as Research Associate to the Oxford Luminescence Dating laboratory.
I joined the University of Plymouth as a Lecturer in 2010, and have served as the Admissions Tutor and Programme Lead (2017-2021).
Professional membership
Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society
Quaternary Research Association (member)
British Society for Geomorphology (member)
Key publications
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
I am currently module leader for GGP3206 (Desert Environments), GGX2204 (Fieldwork in Geography) and GGP3201 (Advanced Fieldwork in Geography). I also teach on GGX2201 and GGX2202 (Principles and Applications of Geography). I also teach on the Masters courses GEES519 (Environmental Knowledge: From Field to Stakeholder).
Research
Research
Research interests
Quaternary environmental change
Geomorphology, particularly in drylands
Geochronology, particularly luminescence dating
Grants & contracts
2018 - "African Flowers": Plastic Pollution in Deserts £37000 (Co-I: GCRF)
2008 - “Determining the extent, timing, and cause of Quaternary uplift along the Atlantic coast of Africa and Iberia”. Collaborator on Royal Society Research grant £50k (fieldwork and OSL dating marine terraces in Portugal, Morocco and Angola with Dr Richard Walker, University of Oxford)
2008 - "Extension of linear dunes", QRA Quaternary Research Fund £475 (fieldwork in Northern Cape, South Africa)
2008 - Nominated for HEFCE Teaching Excellence Award
2007 - Royal Society Conference Fund £1100 (XVII INQUA Congress, Cairns, Australia)
2005 - QRA Conference Fund £205 (2nd Southern Deserts meeting, Arica, Chile)
2005 - BGRG Postgraduate Research grant £250 (ICP analyses for OSL dosimetry)
2004 - NERC ICP Facility £525 (ICP analyses for OSL dosimetry)
2004 - SBS Daresbury Prize joint first for best Student Poster, St Andrews, UKLum meeting.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals