Professor Paul Morris delivers 1st Faculty Inaugural Lecture

The faculty was delighted to host Professor Morris’ lecture in celebration of his impressive research career.

On Wednesday 7 October, Professor Paul Morris gave the opening lecture in the Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences Inaugural Lecture Series – a series which celebrates the achievement of colleagues who have been promoted to or appointed at the rank of Professor.

Professor Paul Morris is Professor of Biogeoscience in the School of Geography.

Professor Paul Morris delivering his inaugural lecture.

Paul’s research aims to understand the role of wetlands in the Earth system, and their response to external drivers such as climate and human alteration. He is particularly interested in carbon-dense wetlands such as peatlands and mangroves, and uses modelling, field and laboratory techniques to understand these landscapes.

Paul delivered his inaugural lecture, “How Peatlands Remember”, to an audience of colleagues, students, family and friends.

Professor Morris delivering his inaugural lecture.

During the lecture, Paul reflected on collaborative research projects across his career, using the concept of environmental memory to show how peatlands record and retain evidence of past climates, ecosystems and environmental change. Drawing on examples from around the world, he explored three expressions of environmental memory: peatlands as archives of the past, the lasting legacy of ancient events on present-day ecosystems, and the sharing of memory across interconnected landscapes.

Building on this framework, Paul showed how his research has generated insights into the past, present and future of peatlands, while highlighting the collaborative effort that underpins successful scientific research. Reflecting on the lessons learned throughout his career, Paul emphasised three guiding principles: surround yourself with excellent people, empower colleagues through trust, and seek the simplest possible explanations of complex phenomena.

The lecture was followed by a Q&A session, and finally by a drinks reception. A recording of Paul’s lecture is available to view on YouTube.

Audience question asked by Dr James Greenwood-Reeves (School of Law).

The second Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences Inaugural Lecture will be delivered by the School of Education’s Professor Vanessa Kind at 4pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026.

If you are not a colleague or postgraduate researcher in the Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences and would like to be added to the mailing list for the series, please email Dr Izzy Jenkinson (Faculty Events and Communications Officer) at I.K.Jenkinson@leeds.ac.uk.  

Audience applause for Professor Morris' Faculty Inaugural Lecture.