It is the tradition in Trinity College Dublin that newly appointed Professors are invited to give an inaugural lecture. The lecture represents the recognition of their promotion to full Professor, and the lecture itself provides an opportunity to showcase their achievements in research, innovation, engagement and teaching activities before an audience of members of the University community, invited stakeholders and the general public. An inaugural lecture is a significant event in an academic staff member’s career. In Trinity College Dublin, inaugural lectures are a ceremonial occasion; academic robes are worn by the inaugural professor and the rest of the platform party. The Faculty is proud to present the inaugural lecture of Professor Iris Möller.

Location: Robert Emmet Theatre (Room 2037), Trinity Arts Building on 18th May at 4.40pm - 6pm. Refreshments provided.

We hope you will join us for Professor Iris Möller's talk on The magic of mud: soft coastal fringes offer strong climate adaptation solutions.

Talk Abstract

When it comes to the impact of a changing climate, coastal areas are home to some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and human communities on our planet. Coastal wetlands are common on the most vulnerable of coasts: low-lying estuarine and soft-sediment shores, embayments and lagoons.

Historically, such depositional coastal environments have been regarded as areas waiting to be reclaimed and converted towards agricultural or industrial use. Over the last decades, however, we have begun to increasingly understand the dependency of human society on coastal wetlands. Their importance as carbon stores, supporting global biodiversity, local fisheries, and water quality regulation, as well as their role as nature-based coastal protection elements of the coastal landscape have all become the focus of much scientific, political, and cultural attention.

The challenge is to keep these valuable but vulnerable coastal ecosystems functioning in the context of a changing climate, sea level, and increasing direct human pressures. To meet this challenge, research that addresses how biological, physical, and human processes interact in and around coastal wetlands is indispensable and has begun to inform coastal management approaches as we face an uncertain future of accelerating environmental change.

If you have any mobility issues please email Aoife at ahayes8@tcd.ie in advance so that we can facilitate you