James Dyke

I’m fascinated by the Earth system, how life emerged and evolved on it, and what that meant for the development of the planet. My current research explores how we interact with the Earth and how such interactions will affect humans now and potentially far into the future.

My doctoral research was on Daisyworld which is a model of a simple biosphere that regulates surface temperature. Daisyworld was originally intended to explore notions of Gaian homeostasis or planetary self regulation. My postdoctoral research was carried out at the Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry as part of an International astrobiology project where I explored how surface life interacts with various planetary processes. I took up a lectureship at the Institute of Complex Systems Simulation at the University of Southampton which allowed me to continue my interests in co-evolving system. I then transferred to the School of Geography & Environmental Science and led undergraduate and postgraduate sustainability research and teaching.

I joined the University of Exeter in 2018 and am currently focused on developing new postgraduate teaching and research for the new Global Systems Institute (GSI).