About the Research Centre
Research Centre History
SCIDR was established in 1995 as an independent research centre of the University of Sheffield. Its rationale was to provide an inter-disciplinary research focus between the department of Geography and department of Archaeology and Prehistory both of whom have internationally recognised research reputations. At its core were ca. 25 academic staff and post-graduate researchers who were actively engaged in various aspects drylands research. These ranged from aeolian process based work, Aegean archaeology, early agricultural practices through to society-environment interactions in drylands and reconstructing past environmental changes.
Since then SCIDR has broadened its remit to embrace researchers across The University of Sheffield who are actively working in drylands. Some SCIDR highlights:-
- 1995 Setting up Luminescence dating laboratory specialising in the finding of the burial age of drylands sediments
- Between 1997-2002 SCIDR’s former director co-led International Global Correlation Programme 413 entitled ‘Understanding Future Dryland Environmental Changes from Past Dynamics’.
- 2005 Building of EROSION laboratory to simulate runoff and erosion with much research focussed simulating and modelling the impacts of low frequency high intensity rainfall events in dryland areas
- 2007Hosting the UK luminescence dating meeting
- 2009 Hosting the UK Geoarchaeology conference
Research Aims
We undertake research into past, present and future environmental changes, focusing on the causes and processes of change and human interactions, ranging from environment-human evolution relationships to diversification.
Research Overview
Drylands, both hot and cold, cover nearly 50% of the earth´s landsurface. They also support over 20% of the world human population, a percentage that is growing.
What Are Drylands?
Drylands are characterised by low moisture availability either through low precipitation and/or high evapotranspiration. Over the last 30,000+ years climate changes mean that dryland areas have fluctuated significantly. They are currently predicted to respond rapidly to and expand under the influence of global warming and human induced desertification.
Current Projects
At the University of Sheffield we strive to maintain the highest standards of excellence as a research-led institution, whose staff work at the frontiers of academic enquiry and who educate students in a research environment. The centre focuses on human-environmental interactions, in the past, at present and into the future. It also is involved with climatic and environmental change and environmental processes in drylands. We have access to a range of specialist expertise and facilities including luminescence dating and rainfall-simulation laboratories. Current major research projects include investigations into:
- Soil erosion in Arizona, USA
- Dust emission monitoring ins southern Africa
- Effects of landuse policies in Southern African drylands
As the Map shows, international collaboration is a major characteristic of SCIDR activities with past and current research projects and collaborations all over the world.
Click here for full list of locations
