Trevor McDougall of UNSW Mathematics and Statistics retires
Trevor McDougall, who won the 2022 Prime Minister's Prize for Science, has had a highly awarded, illustrious career.
Published on the 15 May 2023 by Susannah Waters
After 11 years in the School, Trevor John McDougall AC FRS FAA FAGU FInstP FRSN retired on Friday 28 April, and has been appointed as an Emeritus Professor.
Globally recognised as a leader in the field of physical oceanography, he is also the world’s foremost authority on ocean thermodynamics and has made groundbreaking contributions to modern understanding of the subject. His research focuses on the ocean’s role in climate, ocean mixing processes and the thermodynamics of seawater. Professor McDougall’s major discoveries have positioned Australia at the forefront of ocean physics and climate research.
His work has improved the modelling of the effects of climate change and has led to the discovery of several new ocean mixing processes, and the development of entirely new methods of analysing oceanographic data.
Professor McDougall obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1978 under the supervision of Stewart Turner and Paul Linden. On returning to Australia, he took up a position at the Australian National University on a Queen’s Fellowship and then a role at CSIRO as a physical oceanographer.
In 2012, Professor McDougall joined the School of Mathematics and Statistics at UNSW Sydney as a Scientia Professor.
During his distinguished career, Professor McDougall has received a plethora of awards and accolades. These include the 2022 Prime Minister's Prize for Science; his 2018 appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia; the 2017 NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry and Physics; his 2015 election as a Fellow of The Royal Society of NSW; the 2015 Australian Academy of Science Jaeger Medal; his 2012 election as Fellow of The Royal Society of London; the 2011 Prince Albert I Medal; and the Humboldt Prize (1997).
His colleagues wish Trevor a very happy retirement!
Public Lecture by Trevor McDougall
Emeritus Professor Trevor McDougall will deliver a public lecture at UNSW on Thursday 29 June, "What’s the ocean got to do with climate change?", which will celebrate his numerous contributions during his stellar scientific career.
More details and registration via button below.
