• Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Ulster University logo Return to Ulster University homepage
  • Global students – Resources for Ulster University International Students
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Student Guide - The Student Guide to Ulster
  • Portal - for Ulster University
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • News – for Ulster University
  • Events – for Ulster University
  • Home - Ulster University website homepage
  • Study at Ulster University

    Study options

    • Study in Northern Ireland
    • Undergraduate study options
    • Postgraduate study options
    • Postgraduate Research/ PhD
    • Short courses and CPD
    • Part-time Undergraduate study options
    • Part-time study options
    • eLearning study at Ulster University

    Courses

    • Search for courses
    • A to Z 2023/24
    • A to Z 2022/23

    More information

    • Entrance requirements
    • Equivalence of qualifications
    • Your rights and obligations
    • International students
    • Further education students
    • Associate students
  • Campus Life at Ulster University

    Campus Life

    • Campuses
    • Accommodation - Residential Services
    • Sport Services
    • Students' Union UUSU
    • All Ulster University Events

    Support

    • Student Guide
    • Student Wellbeing
    • Digital Services
    • Library

    Careers and Opportunities

    • Employability and Careers
    • Go Global
    • Science Shop
    • Student Enterprise
  • Research & Impact

    Research & Impact

    • Our research
    • Collaboration and Innovation
    • Work with us
    • Our Research Topics
    • Our Research Teams

    PhD/Research degrees

    • Funded & Self Funded PhDs
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • How to apply for PhD Research
    • Funding for Phd's
    • Contact the Doctoral College

    More information

    • PURE - research portal
    • REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Business themed areas of Ulster University

    Work with Us

    • Recruit top talent
    • Business School student placements
    • Scholarships, sponsorships and corporate giving
    • Upskill courses by Sector

    Business Engagement

    • Build a course
    • Executive Education Courses
    • Apprenticeship Hub
    • Business leader Peer Mentoring
    • Postgraduate short courses

    Research Expertise

    • Work with us
    • Funding opportunities
    • Innovation Ulster Ltd
    • Case studies
    • Meet the team

    Further Information

    • Market information
    • Hire one of our venues
  • Graduates of Ulster University
  • Home - Go to homepage
  • Study Options at Ulster University
  • Find a course at Ulster University
  • Campus Life
  • Research & Impact at Ulster University
  • Business at Ulster University
  • Graduates - find out about Alumni and Supporters at Ulster University
  • Global Students – become part of our global community at Ulster University

  • Student Guide
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • Portal – customise and access your online services

  •   Twitter account for Ulster University
  •   Facebook account for Ulster University
  •   YouTube account for Ulster University
Ulster University
  • Search
  • Link for Ulster University
  • Link for News
  • Link for 2021
  • Link for May

Ulster University Geoscientist Recognised as One of Ireland’s Leading World Class Researchers

Professor Derek Jackson, from the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Ulster University, was admitted to the Royal Irish Academy during a formal Admittance Ceremony, delivered remotely on 21st May.

24 May 2021
Share Article: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn

Professor Derek Jackson, from the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Ulster University, was admitted to the Royal Irish Academy during a formal Admittance Ceremony, delivered remotely on 21st May.

He was among a small but elite group of only 27 new members for 2021 who were elected for their exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service. These members, alongside existing members, are considered to be Ireland’s world-class researchers.

Derek Jackson is an internationally-renowned coastal geographer (geomorphologist) and a professor of Coastal Geomorphology at Ulster University. He has made major research advances in a number of interdisciplinary fields within the broader theme of coastal oceanography. He is a leading international expert in beach and dune systems, coastal storm impacts and longer-term environmental system dynamics, publishing extensively in these fields. His work focusses on dynamic coastal landscape change due to marine (wave) erosion and build-up.

He also studies Martian windblown landform processes and holds funding to help in terrain hazard mapping for the European Space Agency’s 2022 ExoMars rover mission.

A highly distinguished scholar in his field, Professor Jackson has also been exemplary in his mentorship and training of young scientists, successfully supervising to completion multiple PhD and Masters students and over 20 postdoctoral staff.

Helene McNulty, Professor of Nutritional Science at Ulster University and Member of the Royal Irish Academy, who nominated Professor Jackson for membership of the RIA, commented:

“This is a great achievement for Derek personally and for the University. Membership of the Royal Irish Academy is the most prestigious and highest academic honour in Ireland. I want to congratulate Derek on his election as Member of the Academy.

Derek is a world leading expert in Coastal Geomorphology and has published extensively in this discipline. His latest achievement is richly deserved and yet another testament to the significance and continuous impact of his work, not just across the scientific field but for society as a whole."

Tim Brundle, Director of Research and Impact at the University, added:

"I am delighted for Derek and want to offer him my sincere congratulations. I'm delighted his stellar work and contribution has been recognised as world leading. We hold ourselves to the highest standard for research at Ulster University aiming to continuously push boundaries in knowledge, drive progress and solve the biggest challenges we face as a society. Derek has shown time and time again that his work embodies this ethos, and I can’t wait to see what’s next."

Reflecting on the election, Professor Derek Jackson said:

"It's an honour and absolute privilege to be elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy. The study of geoscience in a climatically changing world, impacts all our lives particularly within coastal and marine environments, and I look forward to joining the membership of distinguished scholars to progress the Academy's mission, champion academic research and promote awareness of how science can enrich our lives right across society. Definitely, a moment I will not forget."

Dr Mary Canning, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said:

“These 27 new Members are recognised for their scholarly achievements, typically reflecting many years of research, or for significant contributions to Irish society. They bring international academic distinction to our country and we should be immensely proud of these remarkable women and men. As Members of the Academy, they will strengthen our capacity to provide expert advice on Higher Education and Research policy.”

There are 637 Members of the Royal Irish Academy including: Nobel Laureates William C. Campbell and John O'Keefe; Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford; Frances Ruane, economist; Philip Lane, European Central Bank; Fabiola Gianotti, Director General CERN; Brigid Laffan, Irish political scientist and Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies; and Geraldine Byrne-Nason, Irelands Permanent Representative to the UN.

The Academy has been honouring Ireland’s leading contributors to the world of learning since its establishment in 1785. Past Members have included Maria Edgeworth, a pioneer of the modern novel and Nobel laureates: WB Yeats; Ernest Walton, Erwin Schrödinger and Seamus Heaney.


Related news

  1. Thu 30 Jun 2022

    Ulster University supports Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Conference for UK Business Educators

  2. Thu 30 Jun 2022

    The 120 miles a day uni roundtrip that led to a dream research job in the USA

  3. Wed 29 Jun 2022

    Things come full circle for outstanding PhD graduate

  4. Tue 28 Jun 2022

    First cohort of Danske Futures apprenticeship programme graduate from Ulster University

Elsewhere on Ulster

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School- Faculty

Courses & Research

  • Search for courses
  • Undergraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Postgraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Part-time courses at Ulster University
  • Short courses & CPD at Ulster University
  • Study online at Ulster University
  • Research & Impact
  • Doctoral College
  • PURE

Campus locations

  • Belfast campus
  • Coleraine campus
  • Jordanstown campus
  • Magee campus
  • London and Birmingham
  • Qatar

Campus facilities

  • Residential Services / Accommodation
  • Sports Services - Memberships and Facilities
  • Library Services and resources supporting learning, teaching and research at the University

About The University

  • About Ulster University
  • Contact Details
  • Job opportunities
  • Key calendar dates
  • Faculties
  • News - Ulster University
  • Events - Ulster University

Other sites

  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Confucius Institute
  • Get advice from Employability and Careers
  • Finance Department
  • Flexible Education
  • Digital Services - computing, digital and media services
  • People & Culture
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Sustainability

Ulster University social

@StudyAtUlster Follow us on Twitter @UlsterUni Follow us on Twitter
/studyatulster /ulsteruniversity
/StudyAtUlster /UlsterUniversity
/ulsteruni
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statements
  • Copyright
  • Freedom of Information
  • Modern Slavery Statement

© Copyright Ulster University 2022.

Ulster University is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC100166).