Research

Research is a fundamental component of the teaching and learning that occurs at the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences.

We are very proud of the world class research we conduct. Our geographers were recognised as New Zealand’s top social sciences researchers in the 2006 PBRF exercise. Our strength in earth sciences is supported by well equipped laboratories including a world-class Geochemical Facility and new Electron Microprobe.

Postgraduate study in the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences allows students to extend their undergraduate experiences into a number of research directions. Students are involved in many exciting programmes in Geophysics, Tectonics, Geochemistry, Development Studies and Environmental Studies. All our students work alongside world leaders in their disciplines.

Our research is international. In fact, we conduct field work in every continent of the world. Although our field work sites are continually changing, staff and students are currently working in places as diverse as New Guinea, Antarctica, Fiji, Africa, Alaska, and Vanuatu.

The School maintains strong research and teaching links with the internationally recognised Antarctic Research Centre here at Victoria University of Wellington. We also work closely with the New Zealand Climate Change Institute on campus.

Our location in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, also allows us to work closely with many government departments and research institutions. In particular we have strong ongoing collaborations with GNS Science, NIWA and Statistics New Zealand.

Our research areas are presented in a number of research group web pages. Read more about our research groups.