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Dr Kevin Lynch

BSc, PhD

Contact Details

Lecturer In Physical Geography
Geography
AC 125a
School of Geography and Archaeology
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday, 3-4 pm

T: +353 91 49 5779
E: kevin.lynch@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

I received my PhD from the University of Ulster, Coleraine in 2006. My research interests lie in the field of coastal processes, with a focus on beach-dune environments. A core aspect of this research is to investigate links between short-term variables and longer-term beach-dune morphological development. These scale issues - at the heart of my process geomorphological work - are also evident in his coastal management research. Our work in the coastal management area is of a more applied nature, seeking to build decision-making capacities in the coastal zone.  All of this research is conducted in collaborative partnerships: I am member of the Environmental Change Research Cluster in Geography and the Marine and Coastal Process research group in the Ryan Institute of NUI Galway; I work in partnership with the Coastal Systems research group of Ulster University, Coleraine and as part of the Atlantic Network for Coastal Risk Management.

A description of current projects and activities available here
Coastal Dynamic Research Group, Geography, NUI Galway  

Current Positions
Lecturer above the Bar - Physical Geography
Head of Geography Discipline
Treasurer of the Irish Geomorphology Group (IGGy)



Research Interests

Research Funding

Description of current projects and activities available here
Coastal Dynamic Research Group, Geography, NUI Galway

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS  

Coastal Flooding and Erosion: Post-Storm Recovery of Beach-Dune Systems in Ireland
(The Maharees, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry) Funding: Office of Public Works

Principal Investigators: Dr. Eugene Farrell (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Kevin Lynch (NUIG, Geography) Overview: This long-term field-based monitoring coastal project measures the impact of storms on beach-dune systems in Ireland. Currently there is very little scientific information available on how our coastal systems respond after large disturbances (e.g. storm clusters) so documenting the response of our coastline to these storms is critical in order to assess the resilience of our beaches and coastal dune systems - especially as they are the first line of defence against storm surge and support diverse habitats that are unique to Ireland. The project will be notable in that it represents the first comprehensive assessments of the post-storm response and (where applicable) recovery rates of beach-dune systems in Ireland and the processes that control their subsequent response. The results of this project will provide some of the fundamental, necessary baseline scientific data to provide guidance in future coastal management strategies that occur in the complex arena of ocean, land and people. 


From Source-To-Sink: The response and recovery of coastal catchment ecosystems to large perturbations
(Keel, Achill Island, Co.Mayo) Funding: EPA, Climate 2014 Call: Vulnerability of natural and managed ecosystems to Climate Change with a full integrated assessment

Principal Investigators: Dr. Eugene Farrell (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Kevin Lynch (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Terry Morley (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Tiernan Henry (NUIG, Earth and Ocean Sciences), Dr. Mary Bourke (Trinity College Dublin), Dr. Jonathan Turner (University College Dublin), and Dr. Barry O'Dwyer (University College Cork).
Overview: This multidisciplinary research measures the response of a small coastal catchment to extreme events in order to assess the resilience of the Irish landscape to both short- (event scale) and long-term (climate change) drivers of change. To fully grasp the implications of a changing climate in Ireland, we need to understand the complexity that drives the variability within our natural systems (climate, hydrological, geomorphological, biological, and ecological) where one small change (tipping point) in one system can lead to numerous significant, and sometimes irreversible changes, in one or more connected systems. This integrated, cross-disciplinary study will measure patterns in the sediment and water routing system, specifically, the transport of sediment and solutes from the net-erosional (source) to the net depositional (sink) parts of the system. The EPA-funded project Ireland’s Climate Information Platform (ICIP) is developing a development stage, one stop web-based resource of climatic and adaptation information for Ireland. This research will contribute to ICIP through: the provision of information and data on the responses of vulnerable ecosystems in Ireland to climatic changes and the development of recommendations for the management of these ecosystems. This information will be provided to ICIP in order to increase decision-makers understanding of the resilience and dynamics of vulnerable ecosystems in Ireland and how these might change under projected climate changes. The research couples expertise-driven multidisciplinary research with policy so as to build capacity at local and national levels.
 

I Like Beaches (NUIG, Galway City Beaches) Funding: EXPLORE, NUI Galway

Principal Investigators: Dr. Eugene Farrell (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Kevin Lynch (NUIG, Geography), Mr. Shaun Byrne, Ms. Jennifer Corbett, Ms. Jennifer Logan, Ms. Aisling Miller, Mr. Micheal Murphy (all NUIG final year BA students 2014)
Overview: Universities have recently realigned their extracurricular activities and expectations from staff to do far more than just preparing students for careers in Industry. There is now much more emphasis on contributing to civil society, in building sustainable communities and creating well rounded citizens of the community. This research is a recent partnership between Galway City Council and students and staff of National University Ireland Galway to provide science education of the coastal and marine environment of Galway using a series of attractive, easy-to-read, display boards. The “I Like Beaches” (ILB) project developed working partnerships between the university, the community and the local government and established the willingness of the public to learn about, and participate in, protecting Galway’s coastal resources. The potential longer lasting impacts of the project are building trust within the wider community which facilitates future natural heritage projects in Galway. The ILB project template and skills are readily transferable to different environments (riverine, wetland, glacial) in other locations in Galway or Ireland. The students have benefited by (1) taking an idea and working to turn it into reality to initiate change in the community; (2) CV building through professional project management experience, project activities and networking; and (3) participating within a Group and having different roles and responsibilities during different stages of the project.   

PhD student: GUILLERMO CASTRO CAMBA An evaluation of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for long-term monitoring of coastal catchments Dr. Eugene Farrell (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Kevin Lynch (NUIG, Geography)

Masters student SINEAD WILKES OROZCO Linking micro-scale sediment exchange processes to meso-scale beach-dune behaviour Dr. Eugene Farrell (NUIG, Geography), Dr. Kevin Lynch (NUIG, Geography)  

COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS  

Atlantic Network for Coastal Risk Management (ANCORIM)
2009-12 Funding: INTERREG IV - Atlantic Area Transnational programme.

The project focused on strengthening the operational capacity of decision-makers in Atlantic regions, with the aim of preventing coastal risks and in particular those linked to climate change.
Partners: 15 EU partners from Ireland, UK, France, Portugal and Spain
Total Project Budget €1.9m NUI Galway
Dr Kevin Lynch lead a work package on coastal land planning. This work package initially created a database of all relevant stakeholders and available resources, and followed this by developing a didactic handbook for coastal land planners that outlined national legislative tools that supported a consideration of coastal risks in their decision-making process. He was also responsible for managing and reporting of NUI Galway budget. Other activities included: organising a national seminar in NUI Galway (120 participants), producing a set of ‘good practice’ handbooks, hosting international case study visits.    


Secondary airflow patterns under offshore winds over coastal foredunes: implications for aeolian sediment transport
2009-11 Funding: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK. 

The project investigated the role of offshore winds on foredune development and behaviour, using field measurement of wind and sediment transport coupled with state-of-the-art aerodynamic modelling. The project brought together a unique combination of novel approaches from the engineering and environmental sciences to address the important question of the origin and morphodynamics of aeolian dunefields on leeside coasts. While the project has officially ended further journal papers are expected over the next few years due to the quality and volume of data recorded over three very successful field campaigns. Please see publications page for outputs.
Partners: NUI Galway, University of Ulster, Coleraine, King’s College, London and RWDI, Ontario.

Masters Student: Zoe Elliott
Understanding the sediment transport dynamics of maërl debris on a high conservation value beach system (Dr Kevin Lynch, Dr Marie Mahon and Prof. Charles Lemckert (Griffith University, Australia) 

Kevin Lynch's PhD Project
Aeolian sediment transport dynamics
2003-06 University of Ulster, Coleraine. Vice-Chancellor PhD Studentship

The project was a field-based investigation of aeolian sediment transport dynamics, with the primary aim of elucidating links between short-term variables and longer-term beach-dune morphological development. The successful completion of the project has been enhanced by the publication of the findings in peer-reviewed international journals. Supervised by Dr Derek Jackson and Prof Andrew Cooper  


Other successful funding applications and projects
2015       Intertrade Ireland - travel support for applications 
2014       Enterprise Ireland - travel support for applications 
2014       MARNET travel funds
2014       MARNET support for networking meeting
2012       Working and Educating for Biodiversity (WEB)
2009       NUI Galway. Millennium Research Fund: Purchase of Trimble R8 GPS surveying system

Other applications

 2015 Funding Call: EU Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans). BESTµPLAST: Beach Stranded microplastics: Monitoring dynamics, abundance, fate and effects Partner network: Spain, Universidad de Cadiz (PI); Ireland, School of Geography and Archaeology, NUI Galway; Spain, Instituto Tecnológico del Plástico; Italy, Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia; Italy, Università degli Studi di Fierenze; Portugal, Univerdidade Nova de Lisboa; France, Université de Nantes ; Germany, MARUM, Bremen University  

2014 Funding Call: LIFE Action Grants: LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency Bridging Terrestrial and Marine Spatial Planning in Ireland: A Demonstration Project for Galway Bay Principal investigators Kevin Lynch, NUI Galway & Wesley Flannery, Queen's University of Belfast Partner network: Bord Iascaigh Mhara; Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly: Clare County Council; Geological Survey of Ireland; Galway City Council; Galway County Council  

2011 Funding Call: UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Mesoscale sediment budgets to coastal dunes: bridging the gaps Partner network:  Ulster University (PI); Kings College London (PI); NUI Galway; Kings College London; University of British Columbia Okanagan, Canada; University of Guelph, Canada: University of Victoria, Canada





Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2016) 'The fetch effect on aeolian sediment transport on a sandy beach: a case study from Magilligan Strand, Northern Ireland'
Lynch, K,Jackson, DWT,Cooper, JAG (2016) 'The fetch effect on aeolian sediment transport on a sandy beach: a case study from Magilligan Strand, Northern Ireland'. Earth Surface Processes And Landforms, 41 :1129-1135 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Consideration of coastal risk in the Irish spatial planning process'
Flannery, W, Lynch, K, O'Cinneide, M (2015) 'Consideration of coastal risk in the Irish spatial planning process'. Land Use Policy, 43 :161-169 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Alongshore variation of aeolian sediment transport on a beach, under offshore winds'
Lynch, K.,Delgado-Fernandez, I.,Jackson, D. W. T.,Cooper, J. A. G.,Baas, A. C. W.,Beyers, J. H. M. (2013) 'Alongshore variation of aeolian sediment transport on a beach, under offshore winds'. Aeolian Research, 8 (00):11-18 [Details]
(2013) 'Field characterization of three-dimensional lee-side airflow patterns under offshore winds at a beach-dune system'
Delgado-Fernandez, I,Jackson, DWT,Cooper, JAG,Baas, ACW,Beyers, JHM,Lynch, K (2013) 'Field characterization of three-dimensional lee-side airflow patterns under offshore winds at a beach-dune system'. Journal Of Geophysical Research-Earth Surface, 118 :706-721 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Airflow reversal and alternating corkscrew vortices in foredune wake zones during perpendicular and oblique offshore winds'
Jackson, D. W. T.,Beyers, M.,Delgado-Fernandez, I.,Baas, A. C. W.,Cooper, A. J.,Lynch, K. (2013) 'Airflow reversal and alternating corkscrew vortices in foredune wake zones during perpendicular and oblique offshore winds'. Geomorphology, 187 :86-93 [Details]
(2011) 'Re-attachment zone characterisation under offshore winds blowing over complex foredune topography'
Delgado-Fernandez, I.,Jackson, D. W. T.,Cooper, J. A. G.,Baas, A. C. W.,Lynch, K.,Beyers, J. H. M. (2011) 'Re-attachment zone characterisation under offshore winds blowing over complex foredune topography'. Journal of Coastal Research, :273-277 [Details]
(2011) 'Investigation of three-dimensional wind flow behaviour over coastal dune morphology under offshore winds using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and ultrasonic anemometry'
Jackson, D. W. T.,Beyers, J. H. M.,Lynch, K.,Cooper, J. A. G.,Baas, A. C. W.,Delgado-Fernandez I, I. (2011) 'Investigation of three-dimensional wind flow behaviour over coastal dune morphology under offshore winds using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and ultrasonic anemometry'. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 36 (88):1113-1124 [Details]
(2010) 'Coastal foredune topography as a control on secondary airflow regimes under offshore winds'
Lynch, K.,Jackson, D. W. T.,Cooper, J. A. G. (2010) 'Coastal foredune topography as a control on secondary airflow regimes under offshore winds'. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 35 (33):344-353 [Details]
(2009) 'Foredune accretion under offshore winds'
Lynch, K.,Jackson, D. W. T.,Cooper, J. A. G. (2009) 'Foredune accretion under offshore winds'. Geomorphology, 105 (1-21-2):139-146 [Details]
(2008) 'Aeolian fetch distance and secondary airflow effects: the influence of micro-scale variables on meso-scale foredune development'
Lynch, K.,Jackson, D. W. T.,Cooper, J. A. G. (2008) 'Aeolian fetch distance and secondary airflow effects: the influence of micro-scale variables on meso-scale foredune development'. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 33 (77):991-1005 [Details]
(2007) 'Swash bar dynamics on a high-energy mesotidal beach'
Jackson, D. W. T.,Anfuso, G.,Lynch, K. (2007) 'Swash bar dynamics on a high-energy mesotidal beach'. Journal of Coastal Research, :738-745 [Details]
(2006) 'A remote-sensing technique for the identification of aeolian fetch distance'
Lynch, K.,Jackson, D. W. T.,Cooper, J. A. G. (2006) 'A remote-sensing technique for the identification of aeolian fetch distance'. Sedimentology, 53 (66):1381-1390 [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2014) Conference of Irish Geographers (2014), University College Dublin, Ireland
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K., Corbett, J., Logan, J., Miller, A., Murphy, M., Fahy, F., Morley, T., and Reilly, K. (2014) I Like Beaches: A University community knowledge initiative (CKI) to promote civic engagement Conference of Irish Geographers (2014), University College Dublin, Ireland [Details]
(2011) Re-attachment zone characterisation under offshore winds blowing over complex foredune topography
Delgado-Fernandez, I,Jackson, DWT,Cooper, JAG,Baas, ACW,Lynch, K,Beyers, JHM (2011) JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH Re-attachment zone characterisation under offshore winds blowing over complex foredune topography , pp.273-277 [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2015) 'Comments on Marine Litter in Oceans, Seas and Beaches: Characteristics and Impacts'
Anfuso G, Lynch K, Williams AT, Perales JA, Pereira da Silva C, et al. (2015) 'Comments on Marine Litter in Oceans, Seas and Beaches: Characteristics and Impacts' Annals of Marine Biology and Research, 2 (1) . [Details]

Media - Community Engagement

  Year Publication
(2016) Present and future challenges in coastal management: the steps ahead for The Maharees. Castlegregory (Co. Kerry).
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K.L., Wilkes Orozco, S., and Castro Cambo, G. (2016) Present and future challenges in coastal management: the steps ahead for The Maharees. Castlegregory (Co. Kerry). Media - Community Engagement [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2017) The response and recovery of coastal beach-dune systems to storms. European Geoscience Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K.L., Wilkes Orozco, S., and Castro Cambo, G. (2017) The response and recovery of coastal beach-dune systems to storms. European Geoscience Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria. Conference Paper [Details]
(2017) The response and recovery of coastal beach-dune systems to storms. 49th Conference of Irish Geographers, UCC, Ireland.
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K.L., Wilkes Orozco, S., and Castro Cambo, G. (2017) The response and recovery of coastal beach-dune systems to storms. 49th Conference of Irish Geographers, UCC, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(2017) Challenges of protecting rural coastal communities in Ireland. Sea, Land & Spirit, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K.L., Wilkes Orozco, S., and Castro Cambo, G. (2017) Challenges of protecting rural coastal communities in Ireland. Sea, Land & Spirit, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(2016) Linking micro-scale sediment exchange processes to meso-scale beach-dune behaviour in The Maharees, Co. Kerry.
Wilkes Orozco, S., Farrell, E.J., and Lynch, K.L. (2016) Linking micro-scale sediment exchange processes to meso-scale beach-dune behaviour in The Maharees, Co. Kerry. Conference Paper [Details]
Micro-scale to meso-scale controls on aeolian sediment transport from beach to foredunes. British Geomorphological Research Group Spring Symposium University of Southampton.
Lynch,K. Micro-scale to meso-scale controls on aeolian sediment transport from beach to foredunes. British Geomorphological Research Group Spring Symposium University of Southampton. Southampton: Conference Paper [Details]
A remote-sensing technique for the identification of aeolian fetch distance. British Geomorphological Research Group (BGRG) Spring Symposium.
Lynch,K. A remote-sensing technique for the identification of aeolian fetch distance. British Geomorphological Research Group (BGRG) Spring Symposium. University of Ulster: Conference Paper [Details]
Controls on aeolian sediment transport: the influence of moisture. International Conference of Coastal Conservation and Management.
lynch,K. Controls on aeolian sediment transport: the influence of moisture. International Conference of Coastal Conservation and Management. Tavira, Portugal: Conference Paper [Details]
Micro-scale to meso-scale controls on aeolian sediment transport. Environ 2006 University College Dublin.
Lynch,K. Micro-scale to meso-scale controls on aeolian sediment transport. Environ 2006 University College Dublin. Dublin: Conference Paper [Details]
Foredune accretion under offshore winds. Sixth International Conference on Aeolian Research.
Lynch,K. Foredune accretion under offshore winds. Sixth International Conference on Aeolian Research. University of Guelph, Canada: Conference Paper [Details]
(2010) Field testing and CFD LES simulation of offshore wind flows over coastal dune terrain in Northern Ireland. Fifth International Symposium on Computational Wind Engineering (CWE2010).
Beyers, J.H.M. ,Jackson, D.W.T.,K. Lynch,Cooper, J.A.G.,Baas, A.C.W.,Delgado-Fernandez, I. ,Pierre-Olivier, D. (2010) Field testing and CFD LES simulation of offshore wind flows over coastal dune terrain in Northern Ireland. Fifth International Symposium on Computational Wind Engineering (CWE2010). North Carolina, USNorth Carolina, US: Conference Paper [Details]

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
University of Ulster, Coleraine Lecturer 2006 - 2007 /
National University of Ireland Galway Lecturer in Physical Geography 01-SEP-07 / 31-DEC-15

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2006 University of Ulster, Coleraine PhD Coastal Science

Reviews

  Journal Role
Journal Of Geophysical Research-Earth Surface Reviewer
The Holocene Reviewer
Journal Of Coastal Research Reviewer
Sedimentary Geology Reviewer
Earth Surface Processes And Landforms Reviewer
Geomorphology Reviewer

Teaching Interests

Graduate supervision
Current
PhD candidate GUILLERMO CASTRO CAMBA
Masters candidate SINEAD WILKES OROZCO

Completed
Master's candidate Zoe Elliott - Understanding the sediment transport dynamics of maërl debris on a high conservation value beach system
(Dr Kevin Lynch, Dr Marie Mahon and Prof. Charles Lemckert (Griffith University, Australia))

Graduate Teaching

MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments: physical processes, policy and practice
  • Coastal risk: management and prevention
  Undergraduate Teaching Current individual modules
  • TI 303 Coastal Dynamics
  • TI 363 Research Seminar in Geography (Dissertation)
  • TI 3103: Research Seminar in Beach Dune Dynamics (Dissertation)
  Other individual modules developed and delivered
  • TI 248 Coastal Environments
  • TI 255 Geomorphology
  • TI 215 Hydrology
  • TI 341 River Systems, Hydrology and Geomorphology

 Current team-taught modules
  • 1st-year: TI151 Principles of Physical Geography, TI152 Geography in Practice
  • 2nd-year: TI251 Theory and Practice in Geography 1 (also involved in the module’s development), TI224 Residential Field Class  (Led module in Portugal 2009 and 2013)
  • 3rd-year: TI 335 Research Project Design and Development (also involved in the module’s development)











Internal Collaborators

  Name Description of Collaboration
Internal Collaborators
Martin Ryan Institute - Marine and coastal processes cluster, Biodiversity cluster, Earth and Ecosystems Science cluster School of Geography and Archaeology - Environmental Change clusterIBSSPP's CEDS cluster

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
External Collaborators
University of Ulster Coleraine King’s College London Klimaat Consulting & Innovation Inc., Canada University of Southampton ANCORIM partnership French Conseil Régional d’Aquitaine BRGM - Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières CREAA - Centre régional d’expérimentation et d’application aquacole IAAT - Institut Atlantique d’Aménagement du Territoire Poitou-Charentes Conseil Régional de Bretagne Cap l’Orient Agglomération GEOS AEL IFREMER - Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer Portugal IHRH - Instituto de Hidráulica e Recursos Hídricos University of Coimbra Spain The Council of A Coruña GEOMA - University of Vigo CETMAR - Centro Tecnologico del Mar Xunta de Galicia Ireland Údarás na Gaeltachta Mayo County Council