health
February 2, 2026
How Queen’s University Belfast became a global hub for decoding Earth’s past
At Queen’s, collaboration across disciplines is more than a slogan: it’s a strategy for innovation. From reconstructing ancient climates to tackling today’s ecological threats, researchers at the university are showing how shared curiosity can help shape policy in the now
TL;DR
- Queen's University Belfast encourages interdisciplinary collaboration as a strategy for innovation in addressing climate and environmental issues.
- Prof Maarten Blaauw, an expert in palaeoecology, uses peat bog analysis to reconstruct past environments, with his software even used in Mars research.
- Prof Jaimie Dick is a global expert on invasive alien species, advising countries like New Zealand and South Africa.
- Dr Ross Cuthbert specializes in biological invasions, climate change, and disease vector biology, highlighting the significant ecological and economic impacts of invasive species.
- The university's interdisciplinary ethos allows researchers to draw on expertise from various fields, such as archaeology, Earth sciences, politics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
- Research from Queen's, like the IntCal calibration curves and invasive species methodologies, has gained worldwide adoption and influence.
- The university's approach allows for a holistic understanding of complex issues like invasive species, considering their social, environmental, and health aspects.
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