The Mitrovica Group

Our research explores the structure, dynamics and evolution of the Earth system through a combination of advanced theoretical work, numerical modeling and data analysis. The Earth sciences are defined by long-standing sub-disciplines that are often studied in isolation. Our approach, in contrast, is deeply interdisciplinary. We believe that transformative scientific advances come from research at and across the boundary between these sub-disciplines.

Our recent work reflects our interdisciplinary philosophy. Members of the group are investigating, for example, migration routes of humans into Australia, the catastrophic flooding of seas, the effects of 3D mantle viscosity on Antarctic ice dynamics, and the locations of major sediment-hosted metal deposits. All of our questions are driven by a profound curiosity and desire to resolve enigmas that mark critical events shaping Earth’s history from the early solar system to the modern world.

Our group fosters active collaboration and interactions between undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty. We welcome members with a diverse set of experiences, both in and outside academia. In the past, the group has included members with training in geophysics, mathematics, geology, archaeology, physics, engineering, the humanities and the arts. This supportive community broadens the expertise and interests of everyone in the group and the diversity of perspective lies at the heart of our science.

We welcome people of different backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and queer folx. As socially conscious scientists, we encourage group members to discuss, listen and learn about obstacles each other are facing, and broader cultural issues affecting marginalized groups. We see it as our duty to take anti-racist actions in academia and broader society, as well as advancing the rights of queer, disabled, foreign-born, low-income, and otherwise marginalized people. Our group values activism within the department and within the larger sphere of academia, and has a history of participating in causes related to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, graduate student unions, and community-focused applications of our sea-level work. We believe the work group members are doing to create a better research environment and push for justice is an important part of our journey in academia.

The average time for completion of a PhD under sole supervision in the Mitrovica group is 4 years and 9 months. You can visit our Group Members page to discover and contact current and former members, and our Group Expectations page to learn about expectations for graduate students.