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4. Kenneth Higgs

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Biography

I graduated from Sheffield University with a BSc in Geology and PhD in Palynology. I was employed as a Palaeontologist in the Geological Survey of Ireland in Dublin from 1975-1986. I was appointed as Lecturer in the Department of Geology at University College Cork in 1986, teaching in the fields of Palaeontology and Stratigraphy.  I was promoted to Statutory (Senior) Lecturer  in 1990 and promoted to Associate Professor in 2002. I have served as Acting Head of the Geology Department at UCC in 1997, 2001 and 2005. I have established a Palynology research laboratory and research group of international standing at UCC. I have developed an expertise in Devonian and Carboniferous palynology and my principal area of palynological research is the application of palynology in biostratigraphy, evolution and palaeoenvironmental studies. The palynological research group at UCC has been very active at both postgraduate and postdoctoral level. I have supervised, and directed 26 research projects at PhD, MSc and Post-Doctoral research levels that have covered a range of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic palynology topics. I have eighty peer reviewed publications. Virtually all of the research has been funded by external grants obtained from a variety of sources such as Irish Government (Basic Science research scheme, the Higher Education / Industry Co-operation research programmes, and the Petroleum Infrastructure Programme). ‍

Research Interests

My principal area of research is Palynology - the study of organic walled microfossils and in particular their application in biostratigraphy, evolution and palaeoenvironmental studies. In 1987, I established a Palynology Research Laboratory within the Department of Geology at UCC. I have since developed a strong palynological research group that is active at both postgraduate and postdoctoral level. This research has involved over 14 postgraduate and 11 postdoctoral projects. Virtually all of the palynological research is funded by external grants obtained from either Oil companies, from the Enterprise Ireland Basic Science and the Higher Education / Industry Co-operation  research programmes (listed separately).
Research is being actively carried out in two broad areas:

• Academic palynology - particularly in the of the fields of Stratigraphic Palynology, Taxonomy and Palynofacies analysis of Palaeozoic rocks in western and eastern Europe, the Middle East and the eastern USA
  
• Applied palynology - involving palynostratigraphy and palynofacies studies of potential hydrocarbon bearing Mesozoic, and Tertiary rocks from offshore Ireland, specifically in the Porcupine Basin and Rockall Trough).  

In recent years I have developed a strong research interest in the evolution of Devonian and Carboniferous terrestrial ecoystems. This research is multidisciplinary and involves the integration of palaeontology, sedimentology, geochronology / geochemistry and in some cases structural geology. This work involves collaboration with both national and international researchers.

Research Grants

	Project	Funding Body	Start Date	End Date	Award
	Extension of onshore bedrock geology to offshore based on existing INFOMAR data: aninvestigation of potential approaches and methodologies with sample map outputs for selected areas in southwest Ireland				€27,700.00
	A palynological investigation of Upper Carboniferous successions in the Porcupine Basin and western onshore Ireland with regard to the provenance of potential Mesozoic reservoir intervals				€41,800.00
	Regional palynostratigraphic study of the Carboniferous Mullagnmore and Dowra Sandstones, NW Ireland				€66,600.00

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Publications

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Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2009)	'The Devonian tetrapod trackway on Valentia Island' K. T. Higgs; (2009) 'The Devonian tetrapod trackway on Valentia Island' In: The Iveragh Peninsula. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
	(2009)	'The geology of the Iveragh Peninsula' Higgs, K. T.; (2009) 'The geology of the Iveragh Peninsula' In: The Iveragh Peninsula. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]

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Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2013)	'High resolution miospore stratigraphy of the Upper Famennian of eastern Belgium, and correlation with the conodont zonation' Higgs, KT,Prestianni, C,Streel, M,Thorez, J (2013) 'High resolution miospore stratigraphy of the Upper Famennian of eastern Belgium, and correlation with the conodont zonation'. Geologica Belgica, 16 :84-130 [Details]
	(2012)	'Trace fossils and palaeoenvironments of the Middle Devonian Caherbla Group, Dingle Peninsula, southwest Ireland' Morrissey, LB,Braddy, S,Dodd, C,Higgs, KT,Williams, BPJ (2012) 'Trace fossils and palaeoenvironments of the Middle Devonian Caherbla Group, Dingle Peninsula, southwest Ireland'. Geological Journal, 47 :1-29 [DOI] [Details]
	(2011)	'Palynology and palaeoenvironments of the Silurian Coosglass Slate and Ferriter¿s Cove Formations in the Dunquin Inlier, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland' Higgs, K. T. & Williams, B. P. J. (2011) 'Palynology and palaeoenvironments of the Silurian Coosglass Slate and Ferriter¿s Cove Formations in the Dunquin Inlier, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland'. Geological Quarterly, 55 (2):95-108 [Details]
	(2011)	'Trace fossils and palaeoenvironments of the Middle Devonian Caherbla Group, Dingle Peninsula, southwest Ireland' Morrissey L. B., S. Braddy, S., Dodd, C., Higgs, K. T. &. Williams, B. P., J. (2011) 'Trace fossils and palaeoenvironments of the Middle Devonian Caherbla Group, Dingle Peninsula, southwest Ireland'. Geological Journal, [Details]
	(2010)	'The palynology of the Pabay Shale Formation (Lower Jurassic) of SW Raasay, northern Scotland' Brittain, JM; Higgs, KT; Riding, JB; (2010) 'The palynology of the Pabay Shale Formation (Lower Jurassic) of SW Raasay, northern Scotland'. Scottish Journal of Geology, 46 :67-75 [DOI] [Details]
	(2009)	'Age of the Peel Sandstone Group, Isle of Man' Crowley, S. F., Higgs, K.T., Piper, J.D.A., Morrissey, L.B. (2009) 'Age of the Peel Sandstone Group, Isle of Man'. Geological Journal, [Details]
	(2008)	'Mississippian microfloras from the South Munster Basin, Ireland' Higgs, K. T. & Forsythe, E. (2008) 'Mississippian microfloras from the South Munster Basin, Ireland'. Comunicações Geológicas, [Details]
	(2008)	'The early Carboniferous Spelaeotriletes balteatus - S. pretiosus Miospore Complex: Defining the base of the Spelaeotriletes pretiosus - Raistrickia clavata (PC) Miospore Biozone' Brittain, J. M. & Higgs, K. T. (2008) 'The early Carboniferous Spelaeotriletes balteatus - S. pretiosus Miospore Complex: Defining the base of the Spelaeotriletes pretiosus - Raistrickia clavata (PC) Miospore Biozone'. Comunicações Geológicas, [Details]
	(2007)	'Early to Middle Devonian miospores from northern Saudi Arabia' Breuer, P., Al-Ghazi, A., AL-Ruwaili, M., Higgs, K. T., Steemans, P. & Wellman, C.H. ; (2007) 'Early to Middle Devonian miospores from northern Saudi Arabia'. Revue de Micropaleontologie, [Details]
	(2005)	''First results from shallow stratigraphic boreholes on the eastern flank of the Rockall Basin, offshore western Ireland' Haughton, P., Praeg, D., Shannon, P., Harrington, G., Higgs, K.T., Amy, L., Tyrell, S. & Morrissey, T. , T.; (2005) ''First results from shallow stratigraphic boreholes on the eastern flank of the Rockall Basin, offshore western Ireland'. Geological Society of London Special Publication, [Details]
	(2005)	'Stratigraphy and palynology of the Westphalian strata in the leinster coalfield' Higgs, K. T. & O'Connor, K. T.; (2005) 'Stratigraphy and palynology of the Westphalian strata in the leinster coalfield'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 23 (*):84-99 [Details]
	(2004)	'An Early Devonian (Lochkovian) microflora from the Freshwater West Formation, Lower Old Red Sandstone, southwest Wales' Higgs, KT; (2004) 'An Early Devonian (Lochkovian) microflora from the Freshwater West Formation, Lower Old Red Sandstone, southwest Wales'. Geological Journal, 39 :359-374 [DOI] [Details]
	(2002)	'Biometry and paleoenvironment of Retispora lepidophyta (Kedo) Playford 1976 and associated miospores in the latest Famennian nearshore marine facies, eastern Ardenne (Belgium)' Maziane, N,Higgs, KT,Streel, M; (2002) 'Biometry and paleoenvironment of Retispora lepidophyta (Kedo) Playford 1976 and associated miospores in the latest Famennian nearshore marine facies, eastern Ardenne (Belgium)'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 118 :211-226 [DOI] [Details]
	(2002)	'Cambrian palynology of the Bray Group in County Wicklow and South County Dublin, Ireland' Vanguestaine, M,Bruck, PM,Maziane-Serraj, N,Higgs, KT; (2002) 'Cambrian palynology of the Bray Group in County Wicklow and South County Dublin, Ireland'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 120 :53-72 [DOI] [Details]
	(2002)	'Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous microfloras from the Hakkari Province of southeastern Turkey' Higgs, K.T., Finucane, D. & Tunbridge, I. P; (2002) 'Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous microfloras from the Hakkari Province of southeastern Turkey'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 118 (*):141-156 [Details]
	(2002)	'Biometry and palaeoenvironment of Retispora lepidophyta (Kedo) Playford 1976 and associated miospores in the latest Famennian nearshore marine facies of the eastern Ardennes (Belgium)' Maziane-Serraj, N., Higgs, K.T. & Streel, M; (2002) 'Biometry and palaeoenvironment of Retispora lepidophyta (Kedo) Playford 1976 and associated miospores in the latest Famennian nearshore marine facies of the eastern Ardennes (Belgium)'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 118 (*):211-226 [Details]
	(2001)	'The Valentia Island Devonian tetrapod trackway –first tentative steps' HIGGS, K. T. (2001) 'The Valentia Island Devonian tetrapod trackway –first tentative steps'. Journal of The Open University Geological Society, 22 (2):12-14 [Details]
	(2001)	'A Silurian microflora from the Ballytoohy Formation (Upper Clew Bay Complex) on Clare Island' Higgs, K.T. & Williams, M.D. (2001) 'A Silurian microflora from the Ballytoohy Formation (Upper Clew Bay Complex) on Clare Island'. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 2 :19-34 [Details]
	(2001)	'Stratigraphy of Dinantian rocks in the WB3 Borehole from Co Armagh, N. Ireland' Somerville, I.D., Strogen, P., Mitchell,W.I., Somerville, A. & Higgs, K. T.; (2001) 'Stratigraphy of Dinantian rocks in the WB3 Borehole from Co Armagh, N. Ireland'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 19 (*):51-78 [Details]
	(2000)	'U - Pb zircon geochronology of silicic tuffs and chronostratigraphy of the earliest OldRed Sandstone in the Munster Basin , SW Ireland' WILLIAMS, E.A., SERGEEV, S.A., STOSSEL, I, FORD, M. & HIGGS, K.T. (2000) 'U - Pb zircon geochronology of silicic tuffs and chronostratigraphy of the earliest OldRed Sandstone in the Munster Basin , SW Ireland'. Geological Society of London Special Publication, [Details]
	(2000)	'Systematic study and stratigraphic correlation if the Grandispora complex in the Famennian of northwest and eastern Europe' Higgs, K. T., Avkhimovitch, V.I., Loboziak, S., Maziane, N., Stempien-Salek. & Streel, M; (2000) 'Systematic study and stratigraphic correlation if the Grandispora complex in the Famennian of northwest and eastern Europe'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 112 (*):207-228 [Details]
	(2000)	'A mid-Frasnian marine incursion into the southern part of the Munster Basin-evidence from the Foilcoagh Bay beds, Sherkin Formation, SW County Cork' Higgs, K. T., MacCarthy, I. A. J. & O'Brien, M. M.; (2000) 'A mid-Frasnian marine incursion into the southern part of the Munster Basin-evidence from the Foilcoagh Bay beds, Sherkin Formation, SW County Cork'. Geological Society Special Publication, 180 (*):319-332 [Details]
	(2000)	'Palynological evidence for Mesozoic Karst at Piltown , Co. Kilkenny, Ireland' Higgs, K.T. & Jones, G. Ll.; (2000) 'Palynological evidence for Mesozoic Karst at Piltown , Co. Kilkenny, Ireland'. Geological Magazine, 111 (*):355-362 [Details]
	(2000)	'New palynological data from the Leinster Lower Palaeozoic Massif, Southeast Ireland' Brück, P.M., Higgs,K.T., Maziane-Serraj, N. & Vanguestaine, M.; (2000) 'New palynological data from the Leinster Lower Palaeozoic Massif, Southeast Ireland'. Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 91 (*):509-514 [Details]
	(2000)	'An Early Ordovician age for the Annascaul Formation of the SE Dingle Peninsula, SW Ireland' Todd, SP,Connery, C,Higgs, KT,Murphy, FC; (2000) 'An Early Ordovician age for the Annascaul Formation of the SE Dingle Peninsula, SW Ireland'. Journal of the Geological Society of London, 157 :823-833 [Details]
	(2000)	'Systematic study and stratigraphic correlation of the Grandispora complex in the Famennian of northwest and eastern Europe' Higgs, KT,Avkhimovitch, VI,Loboziak, S,Maziane-Serraj, N,Stempien-Salek, M,Streel, M; (2000) 'Systematic study and stratigraphic correlation of the Grandispora complex in the Famennian of northwest and eastern Europe'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 112 :207-228 [Details]
	(2000)	'The role of reworked Carboniferous palynomorphs in provenance studies of selected Mesozoic sandstone rich horizons in the Porcupine Basin, offshore western Ireland' SMITH, J. & HIGGS, K. T. ; (2000) 'The role of reworked Carboniferous palynomorphs in provenance studies of selected Mesozoic sandstone rich horizons in the Porcupine Basin, offshore western Ireland'. Geological Society of London Special Publication, [Details]
	(2000)	'Early Silurian (Llandovery) cryptospores and trilete spores from the NYYM - 2 borehole Saudi Arabia' STEEMANS, P., HIGGS, K. T. & WELLMAN, C.H. ; (2000) 'Early Silurian (Llandovery) cryptospores and trilete spores from the NYYM - 2 borehole Saudi Arabia'. Geo Arabia Special Publication, [Details]
	(2000)	'Spore assemblages from a Silurian sequence in borehole HWYH - 151 from Saudi Arabia' Wellman, C.H., Steemans, P. & Higgs, K. T. (2000) 'Spore assemblages from a Silurian sequence in borehole HWYH - 151 from Saudi Arabia'. Geo Arabia Special Publication, [Details]
	(2000)	'An early Ordovician age for the Annascaul Formation of S.E. Dingle, SW Ireland' Todd, S.P., Connery, C., Higgs, K.T. & Murphy, F.C. 2000. (2000) 'An early Ordovician age for the Annascaul Formation of S.E. Dingle, SW Ireland'. Journal of the Geological Society of London, [Details]
	(2000)	'Ordovician and Silurian acritarch assemblages from the west Leinster and Slievenamon areas of southeast Ireland' Maziane-Serraj, N,Bruck, PM,Higgs, KT,Vanguestaine, M; (2000) 'Ordovician and Silurian acritarch assemblages from the west Leinster and Slievenamon areas of southeast Ireland'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 113 :57-71 [Details]
	(1999)	'Revision of the late Famennian miospore zonation scheme in eastern Belgium' Maziane, N,Higgs, KT,Streel, M; (1999) 'Revision of the late Famennian miospore zonation scheme in eastern Belgium'. Journal of Micropalaeontology, 18 :17-25 [Details]
	(1999)	'Palynological zonation of the late Devonia and early Carboniferous of the Avon Gorge , southwest England' Hennesey, D & Higgs K.T.; (1999) 'Palynological zonation of the late Devonia and early Carboniferous of the Avon Gorge , southwest England'. Bolletino Della Soc Palaeontologica Italiana, 38 (*):177-186 [Details]
	(1999)	'Tremadoc - Arenig acritarchs from the Annascaul Formation, Dingle Peninsula Company. Kerry, Ireland' Connery, C & Higgs, K.T.; (1999) 'Tremadoc - Arenig acritarchs from the Annascaul Formation, Dingle Peninsula Company. Kerry, Ireland'. Bolletino Della Soc Palaeontologica Italiana, 38 (*):133-153 [Details]
	(1999)	'Early Devonian Spore assemblages from the Dingle Group in Co. Kerry, Ireland' Higgs, K.T.; (1999) 'Early Devonian Spore assemblages from the Dingle Group in Co. Kerry, Ireland'. Bolletino Della Soc Palaeontologica Italiana, 38 (*):187-196 [Details]
	(1999)	'Probing volcanic dust from the past' O'Brien, M. M., Higgs, K. T. & MacCarthy, I. A. J.; (1999) 'Probing volcanic dust from the past'. Irish Scientist Year Book, 6 (*):160-160 [Details]
	(1996)	'Taxonomy and systematic study of some Tournaisian (Hastarian) spores from Belgium' Higgs, KT; (1996) 'Taxonomy and systematic study of some Tournaisian (Hastarian) spores from Belgium'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 93 :269-297 [Details]
	(1996)	'Implications of new microfloral evidence from the Clew Bay Complex for Silurian relationships in the western Irish Caledonides' Williams, DM,Harkin, J,Higgs, KT (1996) 'Implications of new microfloral evidence from the Clew Bay Complex for Silurian relationships in the western Irish Caledonides'. Journal of The Geological Society, 153 :771-777 [Details]
	(1996)	'Implications of New Microfloral Evidence From the Clew Bay Complex for Silurian Relationship in the Western Irish Caledonides [B764]' Williams, D. M.; Harkin, J.; Higgs, K. T.; (1996) 'Implications of New Microfloral Evidence From the Clew Bay Complex for Silurian Relationship in the Western Irish Caledonides [B764]'. Journal of The Geological Society (London), 153 :771-777 [Details]
	(1996)	'Taxonomy and Systematic Study of Some Tournaisian (Hastarian) Spores From Belgium [B766]' Higgs, K.T.; (1996) 'Taxonomy and Systematic Study of Some Tournaisian (Hastarian) Spores From Belgium [B766]'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 93 :269-297 [Details]
	(1994)	'A Late Caledonian Melange in Ireland: Implications for Tectonic Models [B757]' Williams, D. M.; Harkin, J.; Armstrong, H. A.; Higgs, K. T.; (1994) 'A Late Caledonian Melange in Ireland: Implications for Tectonic Models [B757]'. Journal of The Geological Society (London), 151 :307-314 [Details]
	(1994)	'Taxonomy and Stratigraphical Distribution of `Verrucosisporites Nitidus' Playford, 1964 and Related Species [B756]' Turnau, E.; Avchimovich, V. I.; Byvscheva, T. V.; Clayton, G.; Higgs, K. T.; Owens, B.; (1994) 'Taxonomy and Stratigraphical Distribution of `Verrucosisporites Nitidus' Playford, 1964 and Related Species [B756]'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 81 :289-285 [Details]
	(1993)	'Palynological Data From the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary Beds in the New Stockum Trench II and the Hasselbachtal Borehole. Northern Rhenish Massif, Germany [B750]' Higgs, K. T.; Streel, M.; Korn, D.; Paproth, E.; (1993) 'Palynological Data From the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary Beds in the New Stockum Trench II and the Hasselbachtal Borehole. Northern Rhenish Massif, Germany [B750]'. Annals De La Société Géologique De Belgique, 115 :551-557 [Details]
	(1993)	'Palynological Age for the Lower Part of the Hangenberg Shales in Sauerland, Germany [B753]' Higgs, K.T.; (1993) 'Palynological Age for the Lower Part of the Hangenberg Shales in Sauerland, Germany [B753]'. Annals De La Société Géologique De Belgique, 116.fasc 2 :243-247 [Details]
	(1992)	'Palynostratigraphy of the Tournaisian (Hasterian) Rocks in the Namur Synclinorium, West Flanders, Belgium [B748]' Higgs, K. T.; Dressen, R.; Dusar, M.; Streel, M.; (1992) 'Palynostratigraphy of the Tournaisian (Hasterian) Rocks in the Namur Synclinorium, West Flanders, Belgium [B748]'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 72 :149-158 [Details]
	(1992)	'Eustatic Cycles Around the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary and the Sedimentary and Fossil Record in Sauerland (Federal Republic of Germany) [B751]' Bless, M. J. M.; Becker, R. T.; Higgs, K. T.; Paproth, E.; Streel, M.; (1992) 'Eustatic Cycles Around the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary and the Sedimentary and Fossil Record in Sauerland (Federal Republic of Germany) [B751]'. Annals De La Société Géologique De Belgique, 115 :689-702 [Details]
	(1989)	'Upper Visean and Lower Namurian miospore assemblages from Co. Cork, Ireland' Higgs, K. T. (1989) 'Upper Visean and Lower Namurian miospore assemblages from Co. Cork, Ireland'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 10 :115-127 [Details]
	(1988)	'Miospore systematics and stratigraphic correlation of Devonian-Carboniferous boundary deposits of the U.S.S.R. and western Europe' Avkhimovitch, V., Byvscheva, T.V., Higgs, K.T., Streel, M. & Umnova, V. (1988) 'Miospore systematics and stratigraphic correlation of Devonian-Carboniferous boundary deposits of the U.S.S.R. and western Europe'. Courier Forsch Institute Senckenberg, 100 :169-192 [Details]
	(1988)	'New data on palynological boundaries within the Irish Dinantian' Higgs, K.T., Clayton, G., Keegan, J.B. & McPhilemy, B. (1988) 'New data on palynological boundaries within the Irish Dinantian'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 56 :61-68 [Details]
	(1988)	'Dinantian and Namurian stratigraphy, Seven Heads peninsula, Co. Cork' Naylor, D., Higgs, K.T., Reilly, T.A. & Sevastopulo, G.D. (1988) 'Dinantian and Namurian stratigraphy, Seven Heads peninsula, Co. Cork'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 9 :1-17 [Details]
	(1988)	'Systematic and stratigraphic palynology of the Tournaisian rocks of Ireland' Higgs, K.T., Clayton, G. & Keegan, J.B. (1988) 'Systematic and stratigraphic palynology of the Tournaisian rocks of Ireland'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 7 :1-110 [Details]
	(1987)	'The stratigraphy and palaeontology of the Namurian rocks of the Leinster Coalfield' Higgs, K. T. (1987) 'The stratigraphy and palaeontology of the Namurian rocks of the Leinster Coalfield'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 3 :257-267 [Details]
	(1987)	'Spore stratigraphy and correlation with faunas and floras in the type marine Devonian of the Ardennes-Rhenish regions' Streel, M., Higgs, K.T., Loboziak, S., Riegel, W. & Steemans, P. (1987) 'Spore stratigraphy and correlation with faunas and floras in the type marine Devonian of the Ardennes-Rhenish regions'. Review Palynology Palaeobotany, 50 :211-229 [Details]
	(1986)	'A Jurassic microflora from the Colbond Clay of Cloyne, Co. Cork' HIGGS, K.T. & BEESE, A.P. (1986) 'A Jurassic microflora from the Colbond Clay of Cloyne, Co. Cork'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 7 :99-109 [Details]
	(1986)	'Late devonian and early Carboniferous palaeogeography of southern Ireland and southwest Britain' Clayton, G., Graham, J., Higgs, K.T., Sevastopulo, G.D. & Welsh, A. (1986) 'Late devonian and early Carboniferous palaeogeography of southern Ireland and southwest Britain'. Annals de la Société géologique de Belgique, 109 :103-111 [Details]
	(1985)	'Stratigraphic palynology of the Carboniferous rocks in northwest Ireland' Higgs, K. T. (1985) 'Stratigraphic palynology of the Carboniferous rocks in northwest Ireland'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 3 :171-201 [Details]
	(1984)	'Spore stratigraphy at the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary in the northern ¿Rheinsches Schiefergebirge¿' Higgs, K.T. & Streel, M. (1984) 'Spore stratigraphy at the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary in the northern ¿Rheinsches Schiefergebirge¿'. Courier Forsch Institute Senckenberg, 67 :157-180 [Details]
	(1984)	'Hasselbachtal, the section best displaying the Devonian/Carboniferous boundary beds in the Rhenish Massif' Becker, T., Bless, M.J.M., Brauckmann, C., Friman, I., Higgs, K.T., Keupp, H., Korn, D., Langer, W., Paproth, E., Rachedoeuf, M., Stoppel,S., Streel, M. & Kakowa, H. (1984) 'Hasselbachtal, the section best displaying the Devonian/Carboniferous boundary beds in the Rhenish Massif'. Courier Forsch Institute Senckenberg, 67 :187-191 [Details]
	(1984)	'Spore correlations between the Rhenish slate mountains and Russian platform near the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary' Byvscheva, T.V., Higgs, K.T. & Streel, M. (1984) 'Spore correlations between the Rhenish slate mountains and Russian platform near the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary'. Courier Forsch Institute Senckenberg, 67 :37-45 [Details]
	(1983)	'Stratigraphy of the late Devonian- early Carboniferous rocks of south Co. Wexford' Sleeman, A.G., Higgs, K.T. & Sevastopulo, G.D. (1983) 'Stratigraphy of the late Devonian- early Carboniferous rocks of south Co. Wexford'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 3 :143-158 [Details]
	(1982)	'Megaspores from the uppermost Devonian (Strunian) of Hook Head, Co. Wexford' Higgs, K.T. & Scott, A.C. (1982) 'Megaspores from the uppermost Devonian (Strunian) of Hook Head, Co. Wexford'. Palaeontographica, 181 :79-109 [Details]
	(1982)	'Palynological evidence for Carboniferous strata in two wells drilled in the Celtic sea area' Higgs, K. T. (1982) 'Palynological evidence for Carboniferous strata in two wells drilled in the Celtic sea area'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 3 :107-112 [Details]
	(1981)	'Upper Devonian microfloras from southeast Co. Kerry, Ireland' Higgs, K.T. & Russell, K. (1981) 'Upper Devonian microfloras from southeast Co. Kerry, Ireland'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 3 :10-45 [Details]
	(1980)	'The geology of the coastline east of Kinsale Harbour, Co. Cork' Naylor, D. & Higgs, K.T. (1980) 'The geology of the coastline east of Kinsale Harbour, Co. Cork'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 2 :371-388 [Details]
	(1980)	'Devonian rocks in Ireland: a review' Clayton, G., Graham, J., Higgs, K.T., Holland, C.H. & Naylor, D (1980) 'Devonian rocks in Ireland: a review'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 2 :161-185 [Details]
	(1979)	'The Tournaisian marine transgression in Ireland' Clayton, G & Higgs, K.T. (1979) 'The Tournaisian marine transgression in Ireland'. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 2 :1-10 [Details]
	(1978)	'Correlation of the palynological zonation of the Dinantian of the British Isles' Clayton, G., Higgs, K.T. & Keegan, J.B. (1978). (1978) 'Correlation of the palynological zonation of the Dinantian of the British Isles'. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 1 :137-147 [Details]
	(1978)	'Preliminary stratigraphy palynology of five sections through the Old Head Sandstone formation and Kinsale formation (upper Devonian - lower Carboniferous) on the west side of Cork Harbour' Sleeman, A.C., Reilly, T. & Higgs, K.T. (1978) 'Preliminary stratigraphy palynology of five sections through the Old Head Sandstone formation and Kinsale formation (upper Devonian - lower Carboniferous) on the west side of Cork Harbour'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 2 :167-187 [Details]
	(1977)	'Late Devonian and early Carboniferous occurrences of the miospore genus Emphanisporites Mcgregor in south Ireland' Clayton, G., Higgs, K.T. & Keegan, J.B. (1977) 'Late Devonian and early Carboniferous occurrences of the miospore genus Emphanisporites Mcgregor in south Ireland'. Pollen et Spores, 19 :415-425 [Details]
	(1977)	'Stratigraphy on the north flank of the Dunmanus syncline, West Cork' Naylor, D., Higgs, K.T. & Boland, M. (1977) 'Stratigraphy on the north flank of the Dunmanus syncline, West Cork'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 2 :143-147 [Details]
	(1977)	'Tournaisian miospores and conodonts from Co. Kilkenny' Clayton, G., Colthurst, J., Higgs, K.T., Jones, G. & Keegan, J.B. (1977) 'Tournaisian miospores and conodonts from Co. Kilkenny'. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Ireland, 2 :99-106 [Details]
	(1975)	'Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous miospore assemblages from hood head, Co. Wexford, Ireland' Higgs K. T. (1975) 'Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous miospore assemblages from hood head, Co. Wexford, Ireland'. Micropaleontology, 21 :420-440 [Details]
	(1974)	'Palynological correlations in the Cork Beds (upper Devonian - upper Carboniferous) in southern Ireland' Clayton, G., Higgs, K.T., Gueinn, K. & van Gelder, A. (1974) 'Palynological correlations in the Cork Beds (upper Devonian - upper Carboniferous) in southern Ireland'. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 74B :145-155 [Details]

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Conference Publications

	Year	Publication
		CIMP international palynology conference Higgs, K. T. Late Devonian microfloras from southwest Turkey CIMP international palynology conference Prague, Czech Republic, , 10-SEP-07 - 13-SEP-07 [Details]

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Other

	Year	Publication
	(2011)	Palynology and palaeoenvironments of the Silurian Coosglass Slate and Ferriter's Cove formations in the Dunquin Inlier (Dingle Peninsula, Ireland). Higgs, KT,Williams, BPJ (2011) Palynology and palaeoenvironments of the Silurian Coosglass Slate and Ferriter's Cove formations in the Dunquin Inlier (Dingle Peninsula, Ireland). Other [Details]
	(2001)	New palynological data from the Leinster Lower Palaeozoic massif, southeastern Ireland. Bruck, PM,Higgs, KT,Maziane-Serraj, N,Vanguestaine, M (2001) New palynological data from the Leinster Lower Palaeozoic massif, southeastern Ireland. Other [Details]
	(2000)	Palynological evidence for Mesozoic karst at Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Higgs, KT,Jones, GL (2000) Palynological evidence for Mesozoic karst at Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Other [Details]
	(1998)	An Early to mid Frasnian marine incursion into the southern part of the Munster Basin-Evidence from the Foilcoagh Bay Beds Sherkin Formation, southwest Cork, Ireland. Higgs, K. T., MacCarthy, I. A. J. O'Brien, M. M.; (1998) An Early to mid Frasnian marine incursion into the southern part of the Munster Basin-Evidence from the Foilcoagh Bay Beds Sherkin Formation, southwest Cork, Ireland. Other [Details]

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Professional Activities

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Honours and Awards

	Year	Title	Awarding Body
	2006	Presidents award for innovation in Teaching	UCC

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Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	Cork Geological Association	President	01-JAN-92 / 31-DEC-05
	Micropalaeontological Society	Member	/
	Irish Geological Association	member	/
	American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists (AASP)	Member	/
	Commission Internationale de Microflore du Paleozoique (CIMP)	Execctive committee	/
	Palaeontological Association	Member	/
	Institute of Geologists of Ireland	Members	/

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Conference Contributions

	Year	Publication
	(2012)	AASP Annual Conference, Higgs, K.T. (2012) Palynology of some late Givetian and Frasnian shale sequencies in the Appalachian Basin of western New York State, USA. [Oral Presentation], AASP Annual Conference, Lexington, Kentucky, USA . [Details]
	(2011)	AASP annual conference, Higgs, K. T. and Hughes, G.; (2011) Correlation of Spores, Acritarchs and U-Pb isochrons in the Lower Devonian of Cherry Valley, New York State, USA. [Invited Oral Presentation], AASP annual conference, Southampton UK , 04-SEP-11 - 07-SEP-11. [Details]
	(2010)	CIMP annual international conference, Higgs, K. T & Williams, B. P. J.; (2010) Palynology and palaeoenvironments of the Silurian rocks of the Dunquin Inlier, Dingle Peninsula, southwest Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], CIMP annual international conference, Warsaw poland , 15-SEP-10 - 19-SEP-10. [Details]
	(2009)	CIMP annual international conference, Higgs, K.T.; (2009) Palynology of Late Devonian tidal and estuarine deposits in the Cork Harbour area of the South Munster Basin of southern Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], CIMP annual international conference, Faro, Portugal , 21-SEP-09 - 25-SEP-09. [Details]
	(2008)	XII International Palynology Congress, Brittain, J. & Higgs, K.T.; (2008) Palynological correlation of horizons in the Tournaisian of southern Ireland and south Wales. Bonn, Germany. [Invited Oral Presentation], XII International Palynology Congress, Bonn, Germany , 08-SEP-08 - 12-SEP-08. [Details]
	(2007)	CIMP annual international conferfence, Higgs, K. T. & Forsythe , E.; (2007) Mississippian microfloras from the South Munster Basin Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], CIMP annual international conferfence, Lisbon , Portugal , 17-SEP-07 - 13-SEP-07. [Details]

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Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	UCC Staff Enhancement and Professional Development Committee 2007-2010		/
	UCC Student Discipline Committee 2007-2010		/
	UCC Quality Promotion Committee 2007-2012		/
	Geology Department Quality Review Co-ordinating Commitee	Chair	2005 / 2005
	Working group on ‘Development and Enhancement of Academic Staff’	Member of the Academic Council	/
	Acting Head of Geology Department, UCC	Acting Head of Geology Department	1997 / 1998
	School of BEES Quality Review Co-ordinating Committee	Chair	2011 / 2011
	Acting Head of Geology Department, UCC	Acting head	2004 / 2005
	Panel of Experts for Irish Geological Heritage - Geological Survey Ireland and Duchas,	Member	/
	UCC Quality Promotion Committee	Member	/
	CIMP Spores and Pollen Subcommission	Member	/
	Acting Head of Geology Department, UCC	Acting Head	2001 / 2002

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Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	Geological Survey of Ireland	Palaeontologist	01-JAN-75 / 31-DEC-86
	Department of Geology, UCC	Associate Professor	01-JAN-02 / 31-DEC-12
	Department of Geology, UCC	College Lecturer	01-JAN-86 / 31-DEC-90
	Department of Geology, UCC	Statutory Lecturer	01-JAN-90 / 31-DEC-01
	Quality Promotion Unit, UCC	Acting Director	01-JAN-12 / 31-DEC-13
	School of BEES, UCC	Emeritus Professor	01-JAN-12 /

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Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	1975	University of Sheffield	PHD	Systematic and Stratigraphic Palynology of the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous rocks at Ringabella Co. Cork and Hook Head Co. Wexford. Ireland
	1971	University of Sheffield	BSC	Geology

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Outreach Activities

	Description
	Appearances on national RTE television (PM Live, Out of the Blue) and RTE radio 1, BBC radio 4 (Today Programme) and numerous local radio stations and articles in the national newspapers concerning the discovery, conservation and heritage of the internationally important geological sites, such as, Valentia Island (Devonian Tetrapod Trackway site) and at the Old Head of Kinsale(the Courceyan stratotype section).
	CORK GEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION In 1992, I was a founder member of this local geological society. It now has a membership of over 100 members and is the most active amateur geological society in the country. I have given several lectures and have taken the members on field excursions to Valentia Island, Galley Head, Old Head of Kinsale ,Mizen Head and Cork Harbour. I was elected an Honorary Member in 1996 and President in 1999.
	Leader of many Geology Day Fieldtrips to Myrtleville, Ringsakiddy and the Old Head of Kinsale for the general public and school groups from 1989 to 2008 (as part of International Year of Plant Earth activities).
	COPPER COAST GEOPARK AND KERRY GEOPARKS Invited lecture series on the geological history of Ireland and one day fieldtrips to examine the local geology in the two geoparks. The aim is to provide geological education and awareness of geoheritage for park leaders and members of the local communities.
	IRISH GEOLOGICAL GEOHERITAGE Geological Survey Ireland in partnership with Dúchas is fulfilling a statutory responsibility for geological conservation through its Irish Geological Heritage programme. The main objective of the programme is the scientific selection of the most important geological sites in Ireland for designation as Natural Heritage areas (NHAs). I am an invited member of the Expert Panel of geologists that is assessing the most important palaeontological sites. The work so far includes, Theme 2 - PreCambrian to Devonian Palaeontology (1998-2000) (unpublished reports listed below) and Theme 3 - Carboniferous to Pliocene Palaeontology (2000-present). Higgs, K.T. 2000. Irish Devonian Palaeontology Site Reports. – Report to the Geological Survey of Ireland .- Irish Geological Heritage Project. Parkes, M. & Higgs, K.T. 2001. The PreCambrian to Devonian palaeontological heritage of the Republic of Ireland . Report of the Geological Survey of Ireland.

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Journal Activities

	Journal	Role	To / From
	Irish Journal Of Earth Sciences	Member of Editorial Board	04-DEC-09 - 01-JAN-10
	Geological Quarterly	Referee	10-MAR-10 - 05-APR-10
	Palaeontology	Referee	18-AUG-11 - 10-SEP-11
	Review Of Palaeobotany And Palynology	Member of Editorial Board	-
	Comunicações Geológicas,	Member of Editorial Board	-
	Revue De Micropaleontologie	Referee	-
	Bolletino Della Soc Palaeontologica Italiana	Referee	-
	Journal Of Micropalaeontology	Referee	-
	Geological Quarterly	Referee	-

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Other Activities

	Description
	CONFERENCE ORGANISATION Joint organiser of the Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists (AASP) and the Commission Internationale de Microflore du Palaeozoique (CIMP) Joint International Palynology Conference in Dublin 1982. Joint organiser of the first conference of the CIMP Spore/Pollen Subcommission, held in UCC September 2001.
	BOARDS OF ASSESSORS Since 1993 I have served on numerous Faculty boards of assessors for College Lectureships in Geology, Geography and Zoology.
	PhD EXAMINATIONS Since 1990, I have acted as external examiner for PhDs at University of Southampton, University of Wales, University of Leeds, University of Liege, University of Sheffield and Trinity College Dublin.
	DSc EXAMINATION I have acted as external examiner of DSc, Trinity College Dublin 2001 to assess the research publications of Professor G. Clayton.

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Teaching Activities

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Teaching Interests

Since my appointment at UCC in 1986, my primary teaching and examining responsibilities are in the fields of Palaeontology, Stratigraphy and Field Geology. Most of the modules I teach are core modules for Honours Geology and Earth Science degree programmes but some are also available as cognate modules for students studying Environmental Science, Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science degree courses.

UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AND EXAMINING

GL1001  - Introduction to Geology (4 lectures, 1 day field class)

GL1002  - Geological History of Ireland (6 lectures, 4 day residential field course)

GL2019 -Marine Ecosystems through time (20 Lectures, 10 x 3hr Practicals)

ER2002  - Easter Fieldcourse  (6 day residential field course)

GL3024  - Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems (20 lectures, 6 x 3hr practicals, 1day field course)

GL4001 - Micropalaeontology and Palynology (20 lectures and 8 x 3 hr practicals)

GL4007 - Frontiers in Geology  (2 lectures)

GL 4009 - Research project  (student  supervision in field and lab 4 days)

GL4013 - Palaeoecology and Palaeoenvironments (2 day field course)

ZY3018 Evolution (2 lectures, 1 x 3hr Practical) 
 

ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION TEACHING

I have taught on the UCC Diploma in Geology since its inception in 1990. The Geology Diploma is a two year evening course. I teach Palaeontology, Statigraphy and Field Geology within the following modules:

GL1081 Introduction to Geology II  - 20 hours

GL2800 Earth and Life - 40 hours

GL2801 Applied Geology - 20 hours

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Recent Postgraduates

	Graduation Year	Student Name	Institution	Degree Type	Thesis Title
	1995	James S. Smith	UCC	PHD	Palynofacies analysis of the Carboniferous Leitrim Group in the Lough Allen Basin, northwest Ireland
	1992	Paul Carlile	UCC	MSc	Stratigraphy and Palaeontology of the Upper Carboniferous rocks of the Slieve Ardagh Coalfield, Co. Tipperary
	2002	Toni Connery	UCC	PHD	An integrated study of the Palaeobotany, Palynology and Sedimentology of the Late Devonian plant bearing horizons in the Toe Head Sandstone Formation at Toe Head, West Cork, Ireland
	1993	Geraldine O’Connor	UCC	PHD	Stratigraphic Palynology and selected palynofacies analysis of the Westphalian rocks of southern Ireland
	2004	Gareth Hughes	UCC	PHD	Palynology and Biostratigraphy of the Devonian Strata in the Appalachian Basin, eastern USA
	1992	David E. Jarvis	UCC	PHD	The Stratigraphic Palynology, palynofacies and sedimentology of the Devonian-Carboniferous Kiltorcan Formation of southern Ireland.
	1999	Carol Connery	UCC	MSc	Palynology of the Annascaul Formation of the Dingle peninsula of Co. Kerry Ireland
	1992	Michael O’Liátháin	UCC	PHD	Stratigraphic Palynology and palynofacies of the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous in the South Munster Basin Ireland and North Devon England
	1999	Debbie Hennessey	UCC	MSc	Palynological zonation of the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous of the Avon Gorge southwest England
	1999	Edward J. Forsythe	UCC	PHD	Stratigraphic palynology and palynofacies analysis of the Mid/Late Tournaisian, Visean and Early Namurian in the South Munster Basin, Ireland
	2009	Jenny Brittain	UCC	PHD	Palynology, Ichnology and Palaeoenvironmental analysis of early Carboniferous (Missisippian) storm bed events sequences in southeast Ireland and south Wales
	2002	Dan Finucane	UCC	PHD	Microfloral extinctions at the Devonian – Carboniferous boundary in southwest Britain, Germany and Turkey
	2004	Maeve Hegarty	UCC	MSc	Stratigraphic palynology and palynofacies analysis of Upper Carboniferous in south Wales and Bristol coalfield

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Modules Taught

	Term (ID))	Title	Link	Subject
	2015	Earth and Life	GL2800	Earth and Life

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Research Information

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Internal Collaborators

	Name	Institute	Country
	Dr Pat Meere	UCC	IRELAND

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External Collaborators

	Name	Organisation/ Institution	Country
	Professor J. Over	New York State University	U.S.A.
	Professor Geoff Clayton	Trinity College Dublin	IRELAND
	Dr C. ver Straeten	New York State Museum	U.S.A.
	Dr R. Goodhue	Trinity College Dublin	IRELAND
	Dr Tomas de Oliveira	Geological Survey of Portugal	PORTUGAL
	Dr Paulo Fernandez	University of Algarve	PORTUGAL