Dr Sophie Ward

• Professional: ILM Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors
  2023
• PhD: A new proxy for constraining palaeotidal simulations of the northwest European shelf seas
  Bangor University, 2010–2015
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE)
  2013
• MSc: Applied Physical Oceanography
  Bangor University, 2009–2011
• BSc: Natural Sciences
  University of Bath, 2004–2007

I am a physical oceanographer with special interest in ocean modelling. I have experience of applying models to a broad range of research topics including marine renewable energy, past climate conditions, marine biosecurity and the aquaculture industry.

I have worked for several years as a physical oceanographer on a number projects, including:

• Convex Seascape Survey (current)
• Menai Offshore Subsurface Shellfish Systems
• Shellfish Centre
• ECOSTRUCTURE
• Cockles
• SEACAMS and SEACAMS 2

as well as contributing to external projects (e.g., Angle Shark Project: Wales and SIARC) as an hydrodynamic- and biophysical modeller.

Particular areas of research interest include: numerical modelling (physical, biophysical), sediment dynamics, marine renewable energy, sea-level rise and climate change. 

I have a range of research interests in which PhD projects could be developed. Please contact me by email in the first instance regarding any of the following areas:

• Tidal modelling (past, present or future)
• Marine renewable energy
• Dispersal of marine organisms (including invasive species and aquaculture)

2023

• PublishedThe UK’s first climate refugees: why more defences may not save this village from rising sea levels
  Ward, S. & Austin, M., 31 Mar 2023, The Conversation.
  Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
• PublishedThe importance of resolving nearshore currents in coastal dispersal models
  Ward, S., Robins, P., Owen, A., Demmer, J. & Jenkins, S., 1 Jun 2023, In: Ocean Modelling. 183, 102181.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2022

• PublishedPresent day: Tides in a changing climate
  Wilmes, S-B., Ward, S. & Uehara, K., 2022, A Journey Through Tides. Green, M. & Duarte, J. (eds.). Elsevier, p. 185-230
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
• PublishedTidal Stream Energy
  Ward, S., 2022, Comprehensive Renewable Energy. 2 ed. Oxford: Elsevier, Vol. 8. p. 104-122 (Comprehensive Renewable Energy).
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
• PublishedWhy is there a tide?
  Ward, S., Bowers, D., Green, M. & Wilmes, S-B., 7 Oct 2022, A Journey Through Tides. Green, M. & Duarte, J. (eds.). Elsevier, p. 81-113
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2021

• PublishedA new seabed mobility index for the Irish Sea: Modelling seabed shear stress and classifying sediment mobilisation to help predict erosion, deposition, and sediment distribution.
  Coughlan, M., Guerrini, M., Creane, S., O'Shea, M., Ward, S., Van Landeghem, K., Murphy, J. & Doherty, P., 1 Nov 2021, In: Continental Shelf Research. 229, 104574.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTides
  Ward, S., 2021, 30-Second Oceans: 50 key ideas about the sea's importance to life on earth. Green, M. & Lenn, Y-D. (eds.). The Ivy Press
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2020

• PublishedNon-linear landscape and cultural response to sea-level rise
  Barnett, R., Charman, D. J., Johns, C., Ward, S., Bevan, A., Bradley, S. L., Cambridge, K., Fyfe, R. M., Gehrels, W. R., Hatton, J., Khan, N. S., Marshall, P., Maezumi, S. Y., Mills, S., Mulville, J., Perez, M., Roberts, H. M., Scourse, J. D., Shepherd, F. & Stevens, T., 4 Nov 2020, In: Science Advances. 6, 45, eabb6376.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe challenges of constraining shelf sea tidal models using seabed sediment grain size as a proxy for tidal currents
  Ward, S., Scourse, J., Yokoyama, Y. & Neill, S., Dec 2020, In: Continental Shelf Research. 205, 104165.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2019

• PublishedAdvance and retreat of the marine-terminating Irish Sea Ice Stream into the Celtic Sea during the Last Glacial: Timing and maximum extent
  Scourse, J., Saher, M., Van Landeghem, K., Lockhart, E., Purcell, C., Callard, S. L., Roseby, Z., Allison, B., Pieńkowski, A., Ó Cofaigh, C., Praeg, D., Ward, S., Chiverrell, R. C., Moreton, S., Fabel, D. & Clark, C., 1 Jun 2019, In: Marine Geology. 412, p. 53-68
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTracking Holocene palaeostratification and productivity changes in the Western Irish Sea: A multi-proxy record
  Woods, M. A., Wilkinson, I. P., Leng, M. J., Riding, J. B., Vane, C. H., Lopes dos Santos, R. A., Kender, S., De Schepperd, S., Hennissen, J. A. I., Ward, S. L., Gowing, C. J. B., Wilby, P. R., Nichols, M. D. & Rochelle, C. A., 15 Oct 2019, In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 532
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2018

• PublishedThe role of megatides and relative sea level in controlling the deglaciation of the British-Irish and Fennoscandinavian ice sheets
  Scourse, J., Ward, S., Wainwright, A., Bradley, S. L. & Uehara, K., Feb 2018, In: Quaternary Science. 33, 2, p. 139-149
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTidal range energy resource and optimization – past perspectives and future challenges
  Neill, S., Angeloudis, A., Robins, P., Walkington, I., Ward, S., Masters, I., Lewis, M., Piano, M., Avdis, A., Piggott, M., Aggidis, G., Evans, P., Adcock, T., Zidonis, A., Ahmadian, R. & Falconer, R., Nov 2018, In: Renewable Energy. 127, November, p. 763-778
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTidal stream resource characterisation in progressive versus standing wave systems
  Ward, S., Robins, P., Lewis, M., Iglesias, G., Hashemi, M. R. & Neill, S., 15 Jun 2018, In: Applied Energy. 220, p. 274-285
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

• PublishedCharacteristics of the velocity profile at tidal-stream energy sites
  Lewis, M., Neill, S., Robins, P., Hashemi, M. R. & Ward, S., Dec 2017, In: Renewable Energy. 114, Part A, p. 258-272
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedComparison of 4- and 5-beam acoustic Doppler current profiler configurations for measurement of turbulent kinetic energy
  Togneri, M., Jones, D., Neill, S., Lewis, M., Ward, S., Piano, M. & Masters, I., 5 Sep 2017, In: Energy Procedia. 125, p. 260-267
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTidal stream resource assessment uncertainty due to flow asymmetry and turbine yaw misalignment
  Piano, M., Neill, S., Lewis, M., Robins, P., Hashemi, R., Davies, A., Ward, S. & Roberts, M., Dec 2017, In: Renewable Energy. p. 1363-1375
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2016

• PublishedResearch priorities for assessing potential impacts of emerging marine renewable energy technologies: Insights from developments in Wales (UK)
  Roche, RC., Walker-Springett, K., Robins, PE., Jones, J., Veneruso, G., Whitton, TA., Piano, M., Ward, SL., Duce, CE., Waggitt, JJ., Walker-Springett, G., Neill, S., Lewis, M. & King, J., 1 Dec 2016, In: Renewable Energy. 99, December, p. 1327-1341 15 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSensitivity of palaeotidal models of the northwest European shelf seas to glacial isostatic adjustment since the Last Glacial Maximum
  Ward, S., Neill, S., Scourse, J., Bradley, S. L. & Uehara, K., 1 Nov 2016, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 151, p. 198-211
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

• PublishedCharacterising the spatial and temporal variability of the tidal-stream energy resource over the northwest European shelf seas
  Robins, P. E., Neill, S. P., Lewis, M. J. & Ward, S. L., 1 Jun 2015, In: Applied Energy. 147, p. 510-522
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedCharacterizing the tidal energy resource of the West Anglesey Demonstration Zone (UK), using TELEMAC-2D and field observations
  Piano, M., Ward, S. L., Robins, P. E., Neill, S. P., Lewis, M. J., Davies, A. G., Powell, B. I., Owen, A. W. & Hashemi, R. M., 15 Oct 2015.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
• PublishedClassifying seabed sediment type using simulated tidal-induced bed shear stress
  Ward, S. L., Neill, S. P., Van Landeghem, K. J. & Scourse, J. D., 30 May 2015, In: Marine Geology. 367, p. 94-104
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• PublishedBriefing: Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference 2012
  Green, M., Davies, A. G., Bowers, D. G., Zhu, F., Ward, S. L. & Porter, K., Sep 2013, In: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Maritime Engineering. 166, 3, p. 101-108
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedModelling tides and sea-level rise: To flood or not to flood
  Pelling, H. E., Green, J. A. M. & Ward, S. L., Mar 2013, In: Ocean Modelling. 63, p. 21-29
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSimulated Late-glacial and Holocene relative sea-level and palaeotidal changes on the Isles of Scilly: a new approach for assessing changes in the areal extent of the inter-tidal zone
  Mortimer, T. A., Scourse, J. D., Ward, S. L. & Uehara, K., 31 Dec 2013, In: Geoscience in South-West England. 13, 2, p. 152-158
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2012

• PublishedTides, sea-level rise and tidal power extraction on the European shelf
  Ward, S. L., Green, J. A. M. & Pelling, H. E., Aug 2012, In: Ocean Dynamics. 62, 8, p. 1153-1167
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Convex Seascape Survey

  01/07/2022 – 30/04/2027 (Active)

• NRN-LCEE Returning Fellowship

  01/02/2018 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

  Description

  The NRN-LCEE was a bold, innovative pan-Wales initiative for Welsh research funded by Welsh Government and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) as part of Sêr Cymru 1; comprising of partners from Bangor, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea Universities, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology at Bangor, British Geological Survey Wales, and UK MetOffice. The NRN-LCEE aimed to promote excellent collaborative and interdisciplinary research within Wales into the sustainable use of natural resources for the provision of energy, water, food, and other ecosystem services; and explicitly encouraged interdisciplinary research across departments, universities, research centres, industry and third sector parties. As such, the NRN-LCEE was the catalyst to bring a diverse set of talented researchers and partners into new collaborations, in order to conduct innovative research that was highly pertinent on an international research agenda.

  Links:

• ADCP deployment

  01/04/2017 – 31/05/2017 (Finished)

British Council: Challenge Prize, Research Link Climate Change. Mapping marine litter pathways and sea-level rise in Indonesia (£9,795, PI, 2021)

Nature Networks Fund: SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities) (£18,617 to Bangor, Co-I, 2021).

Contract research: research project with Zoological Society of London (£6,259, Co-I, 2021).

PRIMaRE Early Career Researcher-Travel Grant (2019)

Bangor University Early Career Researcher Award (£1,500, 2018).

NRN-LCEE Returning Fellowship (£6,000, 2017)

Contract research (€76,000, 2017).