Stephen Gallagher

Stephen Gallagher is an Associate Professor and Reader in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences within the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne. He obtained his BSc (Hons) in 1988 and PhD in 1992 from University College Dublin, Ireland. Gallagher's early career included roles as a Research Demonstrator in Geology at University College Dublin from 1991 to 1993 and as a Micropalaeontologist at Geochem Group Ltd. in Chester, England, from 1991 to 1993, where he analyzed microfossils for petroleum exploration in regions such as the North Sea and Niger Delta. He also consulted part-time for Conodate Ltd. in Dublin from 1990 to 1991. Joining the University of Melbourne's School of Earth Sciences in 1993 as Lecturer A, he progressed to Lecturer B (tenured 2000, 1997-2001), Senior Lecturer C (2002-2007), and his current tenured position as Associate Professor and Reader since 2008. Gallagher serves as the coordinator for the Geoscience major in the Bachelor of Science program.

Gallagher's research centers on palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction using Carboniferous to Recent microfossils, sedimentology, and stratigraphy. His studies elucidate the history of key ocean currents including the Indonesian Throughflow, Kuroshio, Tsushima, and Leeuwin Currents, and their influence on Australian hydroclimate variability from the Miocene to Pleistocene. As co-chief scientist for International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 356, he contributed to proceedings on sites along the Northwest Shelf of Australia (2017). Highly cited publications include 'The Pliocene to recent history of the Kuroshio and Tsushima Currents: a multi-proxy approach' (Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, 2015, 234 citations), 'Cenozoic stratigraphic succession in southeastern Australia' (Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2004, 198 citations), 'Origin and timing of the Miocene-Pliocene unconformity in southeast Australia' (Journal of Sedimentary Research, 2002, 196 citations), 'Neogene history of the West Pacific warm pool, Kuroshio and Leeuwin currents' (Paleoceanography, 2009, 152 citations), and 'Indonesian Throughflow drove Australian climate from humid Pliocene to arid Pleistocene' (Geophysical Research Letters, 2017, 131 citations). He has edited symposia such as 'Origin of the Australian Highlands' (2009) and authored IODP scientific prospectuses. Awards include the Progress in Earth and Planetary Science Most Cited Paper Award (2018), Most Accessed Paper Awards (2017, 2018), Austin B. Edwards Medal for best economic geology paper (2006), University of Melbourne Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award (2003), and David White Award for teaching excellence (2004). Gallagher's work has advanced stratigraphic frameworks and climate modeling in the Australasian region.

Professional Email: sjgall@unimelb.edu.au