Rachel Mills
Professor Rachel Mills is Dean of Natural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Southampton. Rachel was previously Head of Ocean and Earth Science, based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. She has also been Associate Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences. She was Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics from 2009-2010 and Deputy Head of School (Education Development), School of Ocean and Earth Science from 2005-2009.
Rachel’s research into the earth-ocean system has focused on deep sea hydrothermal vents and improving the understanding of how material is transported into the oceans and its impact on life processes.
Rachel is an alumna of the University of Southampton, graduating with the first cohort of 12 oceanography students in 1988. She gained a PhD in marine geochemistry from the University of Cambridge before returning to Southampton in 1993 as a lecturer in oceanography.
Over the course of her career she has led research expeditions to remote and deep, unexplored parts of the ocean, graduated more than 20 PhD students, developed undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes including a massive open online course ‘exploring our oceans’, and provided advice and direction for a range of international and UK funding bodies and high profile projects.
Rachel was President of the Society from 2016 - 2018 and now sits on council as the past President until 2019.
Latest News
The oceans, the blue economy and implications for climate change event
The oceans, the blue economy and implications for climate change
Date: 29 November 2023, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Speaker: Rupert Howes, Joanna Post, Dr John Siddorn, Dr Siva Thambisetty, Professor Elizabeth Robinson, Dr Darian McBain
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Theatre, Cheng Kin Ku Building, LSE Campus and online
Many conversations about sustainability and climate-change focus on activities on land – the green part of our planet. This misses a vital part of the puzzle, the role that our oceans play.
Ocean and Coastal Futures - Bursary
As part of our commitment to encouraging and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, Ocean and Coastal Futures is launching its first Coastal Futures Bursary in partnership with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. This opportunity is open for young people aged 18 to 30 years old, who are currently underrepresented in the marine and coastal sector and face financial barriers to attending. Individuals do not have to be working or studying in the sector currently but must reside in the UK.
CLASS Modelling Workshop 2024
The CLASS Programme is hosting a Modelling Workshop in early 2024. This is aimed at UK participants only. Event details and criteria to sign up are available here.