Staff profile

I am the Senior Manager (Technical Services & Facilities) in the Department of Geography. I have come to this role from a research background in reconstructing palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic change. My expertise lies in micropalaeontology, geochemistry and sedimentology.

 2019 - Present: Senior Manager (Technical Services & Facilities), Department of Geography, Durham University

 2014 – 2019: Deputy Laboratory Manager, Department of Geography, Durham University

 2010 – 2014: Leverhulme Research Associate, Department of Geography, Durham University

 2010: University Teacher, Department of Geography, The University of Sheffield

 2006-2009: NERC Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Open University

 2002 – 2006: PhD, “High-resolution analysis of Antarctic Quaternary diatom-rich laminated sediments”, School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University

Experience

• Geochemistry (biomarkers, stable isotopes, water analysis)
• Microfossils (diatoms, foraminifera and chironomids)
• Microscopy (optical (stereo and compound) and scanning electron microscopes)
• Sedimentology (high-resolution logging, coring, in situ measurements)
• Fieldwork (UK, Arctic, Antarctic, USA)

Previous research projects:

Rapid Neoglacial transitions in the North Atlantic

Department of Geography, Durham University

The cause of mid-Holocene rapid cooling, about 4-6 ka, has puzzled researchers for some time. In order to ascertain the nature and origins of this event I used biomarkers and the remains of chironomids (non-biting midges) preserved in lake sediments to construct temperature records of this period of cooling.

 

Causes and consequences of global cooling in the mid-Miocene

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Open University

An investigation of mid-Miocene cooling was made by conducting high-resolution logging and geochemical analysis of organic-rich marine sediments (Monterey Formation, California).

 

High-resolution analysis of Antarctic Quaternary diatom-rich laminated sediments

School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University

An investigation into the seasonality of Late Quaternary Antarctic climate and sea ice conditions by examining laminated diatom-rich sediments from the Antarctic Peninsula (Palmer Deep) and East Antarctica (Mertz Ninnis Trough and Dumont D’Urville Trough). To do this a quantitative and qualitative high-resolution approach was employed to analyse diatom assemblages. 

Research Interests

• Quaternary palaeoenvironments
• Palaeoclimate reconstruction
• Micropalaeontology
• Geochemistry
• Sedimentology

Journal Article

• Medeiros, Andrew S., Milošević, Đurađ, Francis, Donna R., Maddison, Eleanor, Woodroffe, Sarah, Long, Antony, Walker, Ian R., Hamerlík, Ladislav, Quinlan, Roberto, Langdon, Peter, Brodersen, Klaus P. & Axford, Yarrow (2021). Arctic chironomids of the northwest North Atlantic reflect environmental and biogeographic gradients. Journal of Biogeography 48(3): 511-525.
• Bentley, R. A., Maddison, E. J., Ranner, P. H., Bissell, J. J., Caiado, C. C. C. S., Bhatanacharoen, P., Clark, T., Botha, M., Akinbami, F., Hollow, M., Michie, R., Huntley, B., Curtis, S. E. & Garnett, P. R. (2014). Social tipping points and Earth systems dynamics. Frontiers in Environmental Science 2: 35.
• Maddison, EJ, Pike, J & Dunbar, R (2012). Seasonally-laminated diatom-rich sediments from Dumont d’Urville Trough, East Antarctic Margin: Late Holocene Neoglacial sea-ice conditions. The Holocene 22(8): 857-875.
• Pike, J., Crosta, X., Maddison, E. J., Stickley, C. E., Denis, D., Barbara, L. & Renssen, H. (2009). Observations on the relationship between the Antarctic coastal diatoms Thalassiosira antarctica Comber and Porosira glacialis (Grunow) Jorgensen and sea ice concentrations during the late Quaternary. Marine Micropaleontology 73(1-2): 14-25.
• Maddison, E. J., Pike, J., Leventer, A., Dunbar, R., Brachfeld, S., Domack, E. W., Manley, P. & McClennen, C. (2006). Post-glacial seasonal diatom record of the Mertz Glacier Polynya, East Antarctica. Marine Micropaleontology 60(1): 66-88.
• Leventer, A., Domack, E., Dunbar, R., Pike, J., Stickley, C., Maddison, E., Brachfeld, S., Manley, P., & McClennen, C., (2006). East Antarctic Margin marine sediment record of deglaciation. GSA Today 16(12): 4-10.
• Maddison, E. J., Pike, J., Leventer, A. & Domack, E. W. (2005). Deglacial seasonal and sub-seasonal diatom record from Palmer Deep, Antarctica. Journal of Quaternary Science 20(5): 435-446.