Dr Tim O'Hare

Qualifications

Certificate of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Plymouth [1993-1994].
PhD: Sand Bar Evolution Beneath Partially-Standing Waves: Laboratory Experiments and Model Simulations, School of Ocean Science, University of Wales, Bangor [1988-1992].
MSc (Distinction): Physical Oceanography, School of Ocean Science, University of Wales, Bangor [1987-1989].
MA (Hons): Physics, University of Oxford [1984-1987].

2017 -: Deputy Head, School of Biological and Marine Sciences
2017 -: Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer), School of Biological and Marine Sciences
2015 - 2016: Associate Head (Teaching and Learning), School of Marine Science and Engineering
2010 - 2016: Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Ocean Science, School of Marine Science and Engineering
2009 - 2010: Acting Deputy Head (Marine Sciences), School of Marine Science and Engineering
2009 - 2010: Senior Lecturer in Ocean Science, School of Marine Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth
2006 - 2009: Associate Head (Teaching and Learning), School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth
2006 - 2007: Associate Head, School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth
2006 - 2009: Senior Lecturer in Ocean Science, School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth
2003 - 2006: Principal Lecturer in Ocean Science, School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth 
1997 - 2003: Principal Lecturer in Ocean Science, Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth. 
1997 - 2000: Director of Undergraduate Programmes, Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth
1994 - 1997: Senior Lecturer in Ocean Science, Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth
1993 - 1994: Lecturer in Ocean Science, Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth

1992 - 1993: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor and Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council

1988 - 1992: PhD student, School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council
1987 - 1989: MSc student (Physical Oceanography), School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council

1984 - 1987: Undergraduate student (Physics), Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford

Professional membership

Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS)
Member of the Institute of Physics with Chartered Physicist status (MInstP CPhys)

Roles on external bodies

Elected Member of the Council of the Challenger Society for Marine Science (September 2007 - September 2010).
Editor of Challenger Wave - newsletter of the Challenger Society for Marine Science (September 2008 - September 2010).

Teaching interests

My teaching is focused mainly on introductory physical oceanography and meteorology. Over the years I have also taught a wide variety of other subjects including aspects of atmospheric modelling, fluid statics and dynamics, underwater acoustics, personal development, use of information technology and Visual Basic programming. I am currently Module Leader for two modules - OS102: Physical and Chemical Processes of the Ocean (Stage 1/Level 4), OS208: Meteorology (Stage 2/Level 5).

My teaching has been recognised by students via the University of Plymouth Students' Union led Student and Staff Teaching and Representation (SSTAR) Awards as follows:
2011: won the 'Most Innovative Use of Teaching Methods' Award
2012: nominated for the 'Most Inspirational Teaching' Award, short-listed for the 'Most Useful Feedback' Award,
2014: nominated for the 'Innovative Use of Teaching Methods' Award and the 'Inspirational Teaching' Award
2017: nominated for the 'Innovative Use of Teaching Methods' Award and the 'Inspirational Teaching' Award
2020: won the 'Creative Teaching' Award

Between June 2015 and December 2016 I was Associate Head (Teaching and Learning) for the School of Marine Science and Engineering and had responsibility for overseeing the operation and quality assurance of all taught programmes deliver by the School.

In 2013-14 I made a significant contribution to the Approval of a revised suite of Marine Science degree programmes, writing the Approval Document.

In 2012-2013 I successfully led the Marine Science Subject Group through an internal Periodic Review of its programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Between January 2010 and December 2013 I was Scheme Manager and Admissions Tutor for the Marine Sciences Degree Scheme (B.Sc. Ocean Exploration and B.Sc. Ocean Science) overseeing all aspects of the management and operation of these programmes.

During the period 2006-2009 I was Associate Head (Teaching and Learning) for the School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences and had responsibility for overseeing the operation and quality assurance of all taught programmes deliver by the School. This included successfully leading the School through an internal Periodic Review of its entire suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2007-2008.

Previously, I have acted as Marine Sciences Scheme Manager (2006), Programme Leader for the BSc Ocean Science (2004-2005), Subject Tutor for the same programme (1995-1997) and was Director of Undergraduate Programmes in the Institute of Marine Studies (1997-2000). The latter role involved managing the Marine Studies Modular Degree Scheme taken by around 650 students each year and included leading the re-writing and re-validation of the entire degree scheme (1997-1998).

Staff serving as external examiners

MSc Applied Physical Oceanography, School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor [2005-2009]

Research interests

My research has been focused primarily on developing simplified models of the behaviour of coastal morphodynamical systems. Examples of such systems that I have studied include sand ripples, beach cusps and systems of offshore (surf zone) sand bars. Although complex behaviour is commonly observed in such systems, relatively simple descriptions of the underlying physics of key processes can be sufficient to capture the critical components of the behaviour of the system, provided that feedback between evolving morphological features and key processes is incorporated. My personal interest is primarily, though not exclusively, in developing models that challenge or elucidate our understanding of the behaviour of these systems, rather than the development of quantitative models with predictive capability.

Research groups

• Centre for Coastal and Ocean Science and Engineering (CCOSE)
• Coastal Processes Research Group

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Bergsma, EWJ., 2016

Al Mehrezi, A., 2016, Local Meteorology and its Effect on Electromagnetic Wave Propagation over the Southern Coast of the Arabian Gulf

Tinker, J., 2009, Measuring and modelling of cross-shore sediment transport and profile evolution on natural beaches

Marino-Tapia, I., 2003, Cross-shore sediment transport processes on natural beaches and their relation to sand bar migration patterns

Saulter, A.N., 2000, Analysis of infragravity frequency sediment transport on macrotidal beaches

Coco, G., 1999, Mechanisms for the formation of rhythmic topography in the nearshore region

Grants & contracts

O'Hare, T.J., and Pannell, M.A., The Marine Sciences Forum, £3,000, University of Plymouth Teaching Fellowship Award [2006-2007]

Russell, P.E., Masselink, G., and O'Hare, T.J., Cross-shore sediment transport and profile evolution on natural beaches (X-SHORE), £199,955, Natural Environment Research Council. [2004-2007].

O'Hare, T.J., and Huntley, D.A., Human Interaction with Large Scale Coastal Morphological Evolution (HUMOR), £73,900, European Commission. [2001-2004].

Huntley, D.A., Bird, P.A, and O'Hare, T.J., Surf and Swash Zone Mechanics (SASME), £93,000, European Commission. [1997-2000].