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Research interests My wide research expertise encompasses palaeontology (from alpha taxonomy to biodiversity change), palaeobiogeography, Caledonide terrane evolution, sedimentary geochemistry and stratigraphy. This has enabled me to address a wide spectrum of palaeobiological and geological problems and has resulted in 112 published papers and books.
I am the longest serving voting member of the International Subcommission on the Ordovician System, an editor of the international journal Lethaia and a recent member of the NERC Peer Review College.
Current research 1. Ordovician-Silurian Biodiversity change
I was one of the leaders of International Geoscience Programme Project No. 503 ‘Ordovician Palaeogeography & Palaeoclimate’ (2004-2009) (http://sarv.gi.ee/igcp503/) which involved over 260 scientists in 35 countries and sought to understand the environmental factors that promoted the Ordovician biodiversification, the end-Ordovician mass extinction and the early Silurian radiation. I was also the Geological Society National Correspondent on IGCP 503. The project was graded Excellent by the IGCP Board in February 2010. In addition to my own research contributions to the project, I organised one of the annual meetings and edited Special Issues of the international journals Lethaia and (with Thomas Servais) Palaeo3 comprising papers arising from the project.
My continuing work includes:
· Regional biodiversity change at the clade and community level and its implications for understanding the global patterns.
· The significance of Ordovician deep water and island faunas to understanding biogeographical and evolutionary patterns. Collaborators: Profs David Harper (University of Copenhagen) & David Bruton (University of Oslo), Dr Mike Romano (University of Sheffield).
2. Ordovician Biogeography and Caledonide Terrane Evolution
This work provides vital constraints on the recognition and plate tectonic histories of terranes in and around the Iapetus Ocean and on the faults presently bounding them.
· Composition, ecology and diversity of faunas in the Girvan area, Midland Valley terrane. Collaborators; Dr Sarah Stewart (National Museums of Scotland) and Ms Kathy Keefe (SUERC).
· Biogeography, palaeoecology and taxonomy of faunas from the Leinster terrane and the complex mosaic of terranes in the Iapetus suture zone. Principal collaborators: Drs Mike Romano (University of Sheffield) and Matthew Parkes (National Museum of Ireland), Prof. Dave Harper (University of Copenhagen).
· Chert geochemistry and fingerprinting of the Highland Border Complex. Collaborators: Drs Howard Armstrong (University of Durham) and Geoff Tanner (University of Glasgow).
3. Trilobite Taxonomy, Biology and Evolution In addition to the systematic palaeontology associated with biodiversity, biogeographical and stratigraphical programmes noted above, I am currently engaged in the following projects on trilobites:
· Structure, chemistry, function and biomineralisation of calcite lenses in the eyes of trilobites and other invertebrates. Collaborators Dr Martin Lee & and Miss Clare Torney (Univ. of Glasgow), Prof. Robert Martin (University of Strathclyde).
· Taxonomy and evolution of the Trinucleidae and Encrinuridae including work for the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Collaborators; Drs Keith Ingham and Alison Bowdler-Hicks.
· Ontogeny and development of Calyptaulax. Collaborators: Prof. Euan Clarkson and Ms Claire Brenner (formerly University of Edinburgh).
· The biological significance of trilobite abnormalities, injuries and diseases.
4. Carboniferous palaeoecology – numerical ("statistical") discrimination of faunal associations; biodiversity patterns.
Collaborators Dr Maxine Akhurst and Mr Mark Dean (BGS). Dr Alison Bowdler-Hicks, Dr Alistair McGowan, Mr Craig Dooris.
Papers in press
Owen, A.W. & Romano, M. Deep shelf trilobite biofacies from the upper Katian (Upper Ordovician) of the Grangegeeth Terrane, eastern Ireland. Geological Journal
Harper, D.A.T., Li Jun, Munnecke, A., Owen, A.W., Servais, T. & Sheehan. P.M. Concluding IGCP 503: Towards a holistic view of Ordovician and Silurian Earth systems. Episodes.
Zwaan, K.B., Harper, D.A.T., Larsen, A, Owen A.W., Siedlecka, A., Whitaker B.T., J.H. Berggrunnskart HØNEFOSS 1815 III, M 1:50.000, foreløpig utgave, Norges geologiske undersøkelse.
Recent publications | View all publications >> Harper, D.A.T., Li Jun, Munnecke, A., Owen, A.W., Servais, T. & Sheehan. P.M. (in press) Concluding IGCP 503: Towards a holistic view of Ordovician and Silurian Earth systems. Episodes. Owen, A.W. & Romano, M. (in press) Deep shelf trilobite biofacies from the upper Katian (Upper Ordovician) of the Grangegeeth Terrane, eastern Ireland. Geological Journal Dean, M.T. Owen, A.W., Bowdler-Hicks, A. and Akhurst, M. C. 2010. Trophic structure and spatial distribution of macrofaunas in the Hurlet and Index limestones (Carboniferous: upper Viséan and lower Serpukhovian) of Ayrshire, Scotland, UK. Scottish Journal of Geology 46, 169-180. Recent research grants | View all grants >> Owen, A. W. 2008. Biodiversity in the Chaetetes-Band: statistical discrimination £5,375 (British Geological Survey University Funding Initiative).
Owen, A. and Lee, M. 2007-2010. Mineral eyes - lessons from the natural world, £63,000 (The Leverhulme Trust). Co-investigator: Professor Robert Martin (Physics, University of Strathclyde) Owen, A. W. 2004. Carboniferous palaeontology: statistical discrimination - extension, £2,023 (British Geological Survey). Teaching responsibilities During my career I have given courses in a wide range of subjects from crystallography and mineralogy to structural geology and global tectonics although the main core of my teaching has always been in palaeontology and stratigraphy.
My current teaching comprises:
Level 1
Life on Earth and parts of the Earth History course.
Level 2
Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy.
Leader of the day course on Ardmore Point and associated tutorials.
Level 3
Stratigraphy and associated day course at Stonehaven.
Day field class at Rosneath
Oban field course.
Coordinator of Second Semester student seminars.
Level 4
Organiser and co-leader of the residential field course in the Cleveland Basin
Day petroleum geology field class at St Monance.
Major Earth Processes - sessions on mass extinctions.
Mapping dissertation seminar assessor.
I am a Senate Assessor on the University Court and the External Examiner on the BSc Geology degree at the University of Cardiff. Current postgraduate students
Clare Torney (PhD candidate)
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