Earth and Environment research

UC's Antarctic and Southern Ocean Governance Programme engages in legal, historical, socio-cultural, and policy analyses of the Antarctic regime. This happens in the broader context of international law and foreign and domestic public policy. Learn more about our programme.

Our Antarctic Ecosystem Programme focuses on how individual species and communities are constrained by the unique Antarctic environment and how the species and communities respond to environmental variability and change. Learn more about this programme.

Our programme engages in research on the causes, effects, and responses of the Antarctic system to global change, with an emphasis on atmosphere-climate-cryosphere interactions using remote sensing. Learn more about this programme.

Since 2003 our atmospheric research has provided a new approach for assessing wind in complex terrain which affects the energy predictions and wind farm simulations that precede site development. Learn about our atmospheric modelling for the wind energy sector.

Examining our environment and climate change over time is fundamental to our understanding of how our planet works and how life evolved. Find out about our climate and environment research.

UC's Disaster Risk and Resilience (DRR) Group is at the forefront of disaster resilience research and implementation in Aotearoa | New Zealand and internationally. Our researchers represent an array of disciplines and are united by their passion for hazards and innovative research. Learn more about our disaster risk and resilience research.

Our research work in earth atmosphere processes concentrates on the atmosphere, coast, snow, and ice. We focus on local and regional wind systems, air pollution, and boundary layer research. Learn more about our research.

UC's Geothermal Resource Research group focuses on gaining insights into the characteristics of geothermal reservoirs, surface expression of geothermal features, exploring new geothermal fields or areas of production, and geothermal power generation. Learn more about our research on energy and resources.

The Engineering Geology postgraduate teaching and research programme is multidisciplinary. Many projects involve aspects of rock and soil mechanics, hydrogeology, site investigation, geomorphology, natural hazards, natural resource extraction, and environmental studies. Learn more about UC's Engineering Geology research.

With floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and tsunami, New Zealand is one of the most dynamic and dangerous countries on earth. This makes it an ideal location to investigate the science behind geological events. Find out about our Geohazards and Tectonics research.

UC's Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora | GeoHealth Laboratory does applied research in health geography, spatial epidemiology, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It focuses on how the local and national contexts shape health outcomes and health inequalities. Learn more about our GeoHealth Laboratory.

Our Geoscience Education and Communication research focuses on better ways to teach, learn, and communicate Earth Science information. We also develop new, innovative classroom activities, and resources to enhance teaching geoscience in New Zealand schools. Learn more about our research.

Geospatial research is the study of geographic information - how we collect, store, manage, analyse, and visualise it. This is in isolation from the specifics of the driving geographic questions. We study the representations of the real world rather than the real world itself. Learn more.

Our Health and Well-being research focuses on how our social and physical environments interact to influence personal health outcomes and behaviours. Learn more.

Our Human Geography research focuses on continuing interest in international and community development, environmental management, future studies, geopolitics, health and well-being, spatial data science, regional development, regional analytics, tourism, transport, urban studies, sustainable urban development, and more. Check it out. 

The Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management strives to bring bright minds and broad skillsets together to address freshwater challenges in Aotearoa and beyond. Our research delivers insights into freshwater quantities, variability and processes ki uta ki tai, from the mountains to the sea. Learn about Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management.