Dr Sophie Ward

Research Fellow

sophie.ward@bangor.ac.uk

+44 1248 383978

Dr Sophie Ward

I am a physical oceanographer specialising in numerical ocean modelling, with a particular interest in understanding how marine systems respond to environmental change. My research spans physical and biophysical modelling, sediment dynamics, and climate-driven processes, with applications across blue carbon, marine renewable energy, and ecosystem resilience.

Current and past projects include:

  • SEACAMS and 

as well as contributing to external projects (e.g., and ) as an hydrodynamic- and biophysical modeller.

Research interests

  • Numerical modelling (physical and biophysical)
  • Sediment dynamics and seabed processes
  • Blue carbon and carbon cycling in marine sediments
  • Marine renewable energy
  • Sea-level rise, past climates and climate change impacts.
  • 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
    ¶º±ÆÖ±²¥, 2010–2015
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE)
    2013
  • MSc: Applied Physical Oceanography
    ¶º±ÆÖ±²¥, 2009–2011
  • BSc: Natural Sciences
    University of Bath, 2004–2007

I have a range of research interests where postgraduate and PhD projects can be developed. My core focus is on blue carbon - particularly long-term carbon storage in subtidal sedimentary systems, palaeotidal modelling, and coastal processes influencing long-term carbon dynamics. I also welcome enquiries in the following areas:

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

If you are interested in developing a project in any of these areas, please contact me by email in the first instance.

2026

  • Published
    Earland, J. L., Kender, S., Schone, B., Sengupta, T., Ward, S., Bradley, S. L., Blaauw, M., Ascough, P. & Scourse, J. D., 1 Jan 2026, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 372, 109711.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2025

  • Published
    Dunn, N., Ward, S., Barker, J., Davies, J., Davies, S., Wray, B., Robins, P., Apetroaie, I., Willams, J., Hopkins, K. & Curnick, D., 24 Jan 2025, In: Ecology and Evolution. 15, 1, e70857.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    Preston, J., Debney, A., Gamble, C., Hardy, M. J., Underwood, G. J. C., Garbutt, A., Harley, J., Baker, R., Dunk, R. M., Grigg, M., Hancock, B. T., Hendy, I. W., La Marca, E. C., Murray, J., Pettorelli, N., Pittman, S. J., Reeves, S. E., Robertson, M., Sturrock, A. M. & Thurstan, R. H. & 10 others, Unsworth, R. K. F., Ward, E. A., Ward, S. L., Watson, G. J., Watson, S. C. L., Wedding, L. M., Worthington, T. A., Wright, R. A., Yesson, C. & zu Ermgassen, P. S. E., 12 Jun 2025, In: npj Ocean Sustainability. 4, 33.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    Ward, S., Bradley, S. L., Roseby, Z. A., Wilmes, S.-B., Vosper, D. F., Roberts, C. M. & Scourse, J. D., 4 Apr 2025, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. 130, 4, e2024JC022092.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • E-pub ahead of print
    Roseby, Z. A., Sengupta, T., Ward, S., Vosper, D. F., Blaauw, M., Roberts, C. M. & Scourse, J., 1 Feb 2026, In: Marine Geology. 107676.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2024

  • Published
    Ward, S., 2024.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
  • Published
    Ward, S., 2024.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
  • Published
    Scourse, J., Ward, S., Wainwright, A., Bradley, S., Wilson, J. K. & Guo, J., Jul 2024, In: Journal of Quaternary Science. 39, 5, p. 831-838 8 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    Jones, N., Robins, P., Christie, D., Demmer, J., Faizal, I., Giebink, N., Huang, P., Jones, G., Kantamaneni, K., Lewis, M., Pratama, M., Purba, N. & Ward, S., 16 May 2024, In: Cambridge Prisms: Plastics.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • E-pub ahead of print
    Garratt, M., Bloor, I., Coleman, M., Colvin, C., Hiddink, J. G., Hold, N., Phillips, E., Ward, S. & Jenkins, S., 11 Sept 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: ICES Journal of Marine Science. 81, 9, p. 1817–1826
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    Jackson-Bue, T., Evans, A. J., Lawrence, P., Brooks, P., Ward, S., Jenkins, S., Moore, P. J., Crowe, T., Neill, S. & Davies, A., 1 Jan 2024, In: Science of the Total Environment. 167494.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Ward, S. & Austin, M., 31 Mar 2023, The Conversation.
    Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

2022

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Togneri, M., Jones, D., Neill, S., Lewis, M., Ward, S., Piano, M. & Masters, I., 5 Sept 2017, In: Energy Procedia. 125, p. 260-267
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    Roche, R., Walker-Springett, K., Robins, P., Jones, J., Veneruso, G., Whitton, T., Piano, M., Ward, S., Duce, C., Waggitt, J., 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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    Green, M., Davies, A. G., Bowers, D. G., Zhu, F., Ward, S. L. & Porter, K., Sept 2013, In: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Maritime Engineering. 166, 3, p. 101-108
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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

  • 01/07/2022 – 30/04/2027 (Active)

  • 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:

  • 01/04/2017 – 31/05/2017 (Finished)