Geology at Leicester

🌄 Remembering Dr Trevor Ford OBE

On this anniversary, we remember with great respect and affection Dr Trevor Ford OBE, esteemed colleague, lecturer, and pioneer in the field of geology.

Stunning geology in Arran. 🌄

Some final images from our students’ visit this year.

🌍 This Earth Day, we're sharing how our research is changing the world.

The Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester turns research funding into real-world outcomes across borders, disciplines, and policy frameworks. Here's the evidence of some of our activities, but there is much, much more:

🛰️ FORESTS PROTECTED AT SCALE
A satellite-based forest alert system, co-developed with the Kenya Forest Service, is actively reducing illegal logging and poaching across East African counties. Recognised with a Special Achievement in GIS Award by ESRI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAbLMSuWYtE

🤖 AI FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT
The AI4NetZero project, led by Professor Heiko Balzter as a cross-university collaboration with Loughborough and Bristol, developed Self-Learning Digital Twins to model emission reduction strategies for farmers and policymakers, targeting the 12% of UK greenhouse gas emissions linked to ruminant and peatland farming. https://digitaltwinhub.co.uk/self-learning-digital-twin-for-sustainable-land-management/

🌿 PEATLAND SCIENCE INFORMING GLOBAL POLICY
The first comprehensive assessment of human impacts on tropical peatland biogeochemistry was led by Professor Susan Page. It shaped international conservation frameworks and carbon accounting standards. https://borneonaturefoundation.org/news/bnf-trustee-receives-mbe-for-services-to-tropical-peatland-conservation/

🌍 DEFINING THE ANTHROPOCENE
Led by Professor Mark Williams, we contributed to a landmark paper in the journal Earth Science Reviews that shows how human activity has permanently altered the geological record. This is science that underpins climate accountability worldwide. https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Palaeontological_signatures_of_the_Anthropocene_are_distinct_from_those_of_previous_epochs/26169709?file=47414323

🌐 GLOBALLY RECOGNISED
In 2026, the University of Leicester ranked 125th globally and 34th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, a 32-place rise in a single year. And our researchers showcased their research at the COP30 climate summit.

Every breakthrough here begins with a partnership that believes in rigorous interdisciplinary science being able to change the world.

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🕶 View our institute web site here ➡️ https://le.ac.uk/research/institutes/environmental-futures

📧 Subscribe to our quarterly institute newsletter here ➡️ https://le.ac.uk/research/institutes/environmental-futures/newsletter



University of Leicester Geography at Leicester Geology at Leicester

🌊 IODP³ expedition to New England in the spotlight

The IODP³ (International Ocean Discovery Program) New England expedition has been featured by BBC News, revealing discoveries of freshened water under the ocean floor.

🔗 Read the full story below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv1104ezjpo

'Ancient' freshened water has been found sealed beneath the Atlantic Ocean floor.

A team of Leicester scientists helped with the discovery which could teach us more about climate change.

Full story: https://bbc.in/483DNdq

🌊 IODP³ featured on BBC East Midlands Today – Expedition to New England

Scientists from the International Ocean Discovery Program appeared on BBC East Midlands Today on Thursday 16 April, featuring in both the lunchtime and evening bulletins.

Dr Andrew McIntyre and Dr Tim van Peer spoke with BBC East Midlands environment correspondent Hugh Casswell about their research in the Atlantic Ocean and the fascinating discovery of ancient freshwater trapped beneath the seabed.

📺 Watch the segment here (from 12:30):
👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002v4jy/east-midlands-today-evening-news-16042026

📷 Image: E LeBer/ECORD/IODP/NSF

Leicester Leads Prestigious Journal Issue on Humanity’s Impact on the Biosphere 📘

Professor Mark Williams is guest editor of the latest issue of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, published on 22 January 2026, dedicated to ‘The biosphere in the Anthropocene’.

👉 Read more: https://le.ac.uk/news/2026/january/prestigious-journal-human-impact-biosphere
📘 Access the journal issue: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/issue/381/1942

The issue also features an illustrative figure drawn by Kerry Allen and Lisa Barber from the Cartographic Unit.