Stuart Robinson

(pronouns: he/him)

Stuart Robinson
Professor of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
St Anne's College
Tutor
+44 (0) 1865 272058
stuart.robinson@earth.ox.ac.uk

We are always keen to support talented researchers interested in PhDs, post-docs or collaboration with our group. Please do get in touch if you would like to work with us! Projects for 2027 entry will be advertised here soon.

 

Research profile

My research focuses on the study of past environments, past climates and the impacts of major environmental change. In particular, I focus on how components of the Earth system (e.g. climate, carbon cycling, oceanography) have operated in the geological past, with a particular interest in periods of extreme greenhouse warmth, such as the Mesozoic Era (250 to 65 million years ago) and early Cenozoic (65 to 35 Ma). Warm intervals in Earth history, characterised by an absence of large polar ice sheets, high sea levels, and major perturbations to ocean chemistry, provide examples of how the Earth system works under very different boundary conditions to the present day. Understanding the processes operating in the geological past can help inform our understanding of how our planet may evolve in the future in response to anthropogenic CO2 release.

I use a multidisciplinary approach drawing on geology, palaeontology and geochemistry to reconstruct Earth history and work closely with climate modellers. The comparison of model simulations of Earth’s past climates compared with proxy records of climate allows us to gain mechanistic insights into the workings of the Earth system. I have conducted fieldwork in many parts of the world and participated in two scientific ocean drilling expeditions.

Other information

Tutorial Fellow at St Anne’s College

I am the Associate Head for Taught Degrees of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division.

I am the Associate Head of Department (Teaching) until December 2026. 

Bluesky: drsturobinson.bsky.social

Twitter: @DrStuRobinson

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My research focuses on the study of past environments, past climates and the impacts of major environmental change. In particular, I focus on how components of the Earth system (e.g. climate, carbon cycling, oceanography) have operated in the geological past, with a particular interest in periods of extreme greenhouse warmth, such as the Mesozoic Era (250 to 65 million years ago) and early Cenozoic (65 to 35 Ma). Warm intervals in Earth history, characterised by an absence of large polar ice sheets, high sea levels, and major perturbations to ocean chemistry, provide examples of how the Earth system works under very different boundary conditions to the present day. Understanding the processes operating in the geological past can help inform our understanding of how our planet may evolve in the future in response to anthropogenic CO2 release.

I use a multidisciplinary approach drawing on geology, palaeontology and geochemistry to reconstruct Earth history and work closely with climate modellers. The comparison of model simulations of Earth’s past climates compared with proxy records of climate allows us to gain mechanistic insights into the workings of the Earth system. I have conducted fieldwork in many parts of the world and participated in two scientific ocean drilling expeditions.

As one of the tutorial fellows at  St Anne’s College I give tutorials to all year groups (and students from all colleges) in foundational and specialist topics.

My course lecturing is (usually!) spread across two years:

2nd year: Sediment generation and diagenesis, Stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments

3rd year: Biogeochemistry of Earth's surface

In the past I have also taught 1st year and 4th year courses (Fundamentals of Geology; Coevolution of Life and Planet)

I've contributed to various field classes over time including local day-trips (1st year), Dorset and Somerset (2nd year) and Bermuda (4th year).

Education

D.Phil. (2002), Dept of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Carbon cycling, palaeoatmospheres and isotope stratigraphy of marginal and non-marine Mesozoic sediments.

B.A. Geology (1998) St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford

Employment

2013 to present: Professor in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, UK;

  • Associate Head (Taught Degrees) of MPLS Division (2026-present)
  • Associate Head of Department (Teaching) (2022-2026)
  • Tutorial Fellow in Earth Sciences, St Anne’s College (2016–present)
  • Fellow of St Cross College (2013-2016)
  • Non-stipendiary college lecturer at St Edmund Hall (2014-2016)

2005-2013: Royal Society University Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, University College London

2005-2009: Adjunct Associate Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, USA

2005: Post-doctoral Research Scientist, School of Human & Environmental Sciences University of Reading

2002-2004: Post-doctoral Research Scientist; IODP Borehole Research Group, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, USA

2002: Post-doctoral Research Scientist; UKODP post-doc support scheme, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

 

Publications