Environmental Sciences Research Institute

  1. Background
  2. Publications
  3. Research Grants
  4. Teaching Interests

Rory Quinn

Senior Lecturer


School of Environmental Sciences
University of Ulster
Coleraine
Co. Derry
BT52 1SA
Northern Ireland


Office G1107, Centre for Coastal and Marine Research
Phone +44 (0) 2870 124884
E-mail RJ.Quinn@ulster.ac.uk
Research Group Centre for Maritime Archaeology


Qualifications

1997 PhD Marine Geophysics, University of Southampton
1994 MSc Geophysics, University of Durham
1993 BSc Geology, University College Cork


Experience

2006- Senior Lecturer, University of Ulster
1998-2006 Lecturer, University of Ulster
1994-1997 Research Assistant, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton


Research interests

  • Development, integration and application of marine geophysical, geological and archaeological techniques
  • Geophysical signatures of submerged and buried materials
  • Underwater site formation processes
  • Reconstruction of submerged landscapes


Publications

Number of items: 51.

Plets, R, Clements, A, Quinn, R and Strong, J (2012) Marine substratum map of the Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland. Journal of Maps, 8 (1). pp. 1-13.

Sacchetti, F, Benetti, S, Georgiopoulou, A, Shannon, PM, O'Reilly, BM, Dunlop, P, Quinn, R and Ó Cofaigh, C (2012) Deep-water geomorphology of the glaciated Irish margin from high-resolution marine geophysical data. Marine Geology, 291-294. pp. 113-131.

van Rein, H, Schoeman, DS, Brown, CJ, Quinn, R and Breen, J (2012) Development of low-cost image mosaics of hard-bottom sessile communities using SCUBA: comparisons of optical media and of proxy measures of community structure. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 92 (01). pp. 49-62.

Quinn, R, Lafferty, B, Westley, K and Plets, R (2012) Rathlin Island - Natural Environment. In: Rathlin Island - an archaeological survey of a maritime landscape. (Eds: Forsythe, W and McConkey, R), TSO, pp. 20-44. ISBN 9780337097041

Sacchetti, F, Benetti, S, Georgiopoulou, A, Dunlop, P and Quinn, R (2011) Geomorphology of the Irish Rockall Trough, North Atlantic Ocean, mapped from multibeam bathymetric and backscatter data. Journal of Maps, v2011. pp. 60-81.

Callaway, A, Quinn, R, Brown, CJ, Service, M and Benetti, S (2011) Trace metal contamination of Beaufort’s Dyke, North Channel, Irish Sea: A legacy of ordnance disposal. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62. pp. 2345-2355.

Quinn, R (2011) Acoustic Remote Sensing in Maritime Archaeology. In: The Oxford Handbook of Maritime Archaeology. (Eds: Catsambis, A, Ford, B and Hamilton, DL), Oxford University Press, pp. 68-89. ISBN 978-0-19-537517-6

McGonigle, C, Grabowski, JH, Brown, CJ, Weber, TC and Quinn, R (2011) Detection of deep water benthic macroalgae using image-based classification techniques on multibeam backscatter at Cashes Ledge, Gulf of Maine, USA. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 91 (1). pp. 87 - 101.

Plets, R, Quinn, R, Forsythe, W, Westley, K, Bell, T, Benetti, S, McGrath, F and Robinson, R (2011) Using Multibeam Echo-Sounder Data to Identify Shipwreck Sites: archaeological assessment of the Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey data. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 40 (1). pp. 87-98.

Westley, K, Quinn, R, Forsythe, W, Plets, R, Bell, T, Benetti, S, McGrath, F and Robinson, R (2011) Mapping Submerged Landscapes Using Multibeam Bathymetric Data: a case study from the north coast of Ireland. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 40 (1). pp. 99-112.

Westley, K, Bell, T, Plets, R and Quinn, R (2011) Investigating Submerged Archaeological Landscapes: a research strategy illustrated with case studies from Ireland and Newfoundland, Canada. In: Submerged Prehistory. (Eds: Benjamin, J, Bonsall, C, Pickard, C and Fischer, A), Oxbow Books, pp. 129-144. ISBN 978-1-84217-418-0

Callaway, A, Quinn, R, Brown, C, Service, M, Long, D and Benetti, S (2011) The formation and evolution of an isolated submarine valley in the North Channel, Irish Sea: an investigation of Beaufort’s Dyke. Journal of Quaternary Science, 26 (4). pp. 362-373.

van Rein, H, Brown, CJ, Quinn, R, Breen, J and Schoeman, DS (2011) An evaluation of acoustic seabed classification techniques for marine biotope monitoring over broad-scales (>1 km2) and meso-scales (10 m2–1 km2). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 93. pp. 336-349.

Van Rein, H, Schoeman, DS, Brown, CJ, Quinn, R and Breen, J (2011) Development of benthic monitoring methods using photoquadrats and scuba on heterogeneous hard-substrata: a boulder-slope community case study. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 21 (7). pp. 676-689.

Van Rein, H, Brown, C J, Schoeman, DS, Quinn, R and Breen, J (2011) Fixed-station monitoring of a harbour wall community: the utility of low-cost photomosaics and scuba on hard-substrata. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 21 (7). pp. 690-703.

Dunlop, P, Shannon, R, McCabe, M, Quinn, R and Doyle, E (2010) Marine geophysical evidence for ice sheet extension and recession on the Malin Shelf: New evidence for the western limits of the British Irish Ice Sheet . Marine Geology, 276 (1-4). pp. 86-99.

Quinn, R and Boland, D (2010) The role of time-lapse bathymetric surveys in assessing morphological change at shipwreck sites. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37 (11). pp. 2938-2946.

McGonigle, C, Brown, CJ and Quinn, R (2010) Operational Parameters, Data Density and Benthic Ecology: Considerations for Image-Based Classification of Multibeam Backscatter. Marine Geodesy, 33 (1). pp. 16-38.

McGonigle, C, Brown, CJ and Quinn, R (2010) Insonification orientation and its relevance for image-based classification of multibeam backscatter . ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67 (5). pp. 1010-1023.

McGonigle, C, Brown, CJ, Quinn, R and Grabowski, J (2009) Evaluation of image-based multibeam sonar backscatter classification for benthic habitat discrimination and mapping at Stanton Banks, UK. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 81 (3). pp. 423-437.

Callaway, A, Smyth, J, Brown, CJ, Quinn, R, Service, M and Long, D (2009) The impact of scour processes on a smothered reef system in the Irish Sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 84 (3). pp. 409-418.

van Rein, H, Brown, CJ, Quinn, R and Breen, J (2009) A review of sublittoral monitoring methods in temperate waters: a focus on scale. Underwater Technology, 28 (3). pp. 99-113.

McKenna, J, Quinn, R, Donnelly, DJ and Cooper, JAG (2008) Accurate mental maps as an aspect of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK): a case study from Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland. Ecology and Society, 13 (1). pp. 1-23.

Bell, T, Westley, K, Plets, R, Quinn, R and Renouf, P (2008) Submerged archaeological landscapes: from ancient myth to new frontier. Journal of Ocean Technology, 3 (4). pp. 13-20.

Quinn, R, Dix, J and Dean, M (2008) Geophysical and remote sensing surveys. In: Archaeology Underwater: The Nautical Archaeology Society Guide to Principles and Practice. (Eds: Bowens, A), Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 103-113. ISBN 9781405175913

Quinn, R and Boland, D (2008) Illuminating shipwreck sites using sonar technology. Journal of Ocean Technology, 3 (4). pp. 21-25.

Quinn, R, Forsythe, W, Breen, C, Boland, D, Lane, P and Omar, A Lali (2007) Process-based models for port evolution and wreck site formation at Mombasa, Kenya. JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 34 (9). pp. 1449-1460.

McDowell, L, Knight, J and Quinn, R (2007) Mesoscale changes in present-day nearshore surface sediments and bedform dynamics off the north coast of Ireland. In: Coastal and Shelf Sediment Transport. (Eds: Balson, PS and Collins, MB), The Geological Society of London, pp. 103-116. ISBN 9781 86239 217 5

Quinn, R (2007) The assimilation of marine geophysical data into the maritime sites and monuments record, Northern Ireland. Historical Archaeology, 41 (3). pp. 9-24.

Breen, C, Quinn, R and Forsythe, W (2007) A preliminary analysis of historic shipwrecks in northern Ireland. HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 41 (3). pp. 4-8.

Kelley, JT, Cooper, JAG, Jackson, DWT, Belknap, DF and Quinn, R (2006) Sea-level change and inner shelf stratigraphy off Northern Ireland. MARINE GEOLOGY, 232 (1-2). pp. 1-15.

Quinn, R (2006) The role of scour in shipwreck site formation processes and the preservation of wreck-associated scour signatures in the sedimentary record - evidence from seabed and sub-surface data. JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 33 (10). pp. 1419-1432.

Lafferty, B, Quinn, R and Breen, C (2006) A side-scan sonar and high-resolution Chirp sub-bottom profile study of the natural and anthropogenic sedimentary record of Lower Lough Erne, northwestern Ireland. JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 33 (6). pp. 756-766.

Lafferty, B, Quinn, R and Breen, C (2006) Subglacial imprints associated with the isolation and decay of an ice mass in the Lower Lough Erne basin, Co. Fermanagh, NW Ireland. JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 163 (Part 3). pp. 421-430.

Quinn, R, Dean, M, Lawrence, M, Liscoe, S and Boland, D (2005) Backscatter responses and resolution considerations in archaeological side-scan sonar surveys: a control experiment. JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 32 (8). pp. 1252-1264.

McDowell, L, Knight, J and Quinn, R (2005) High-resolution geophysical investigations of estuarine and nearshore sediment dynamics, Bann Estuary, Northern Ireland. In: High Resolution Investigations of the Morphodynamics and Sedimentary Evolution of Estuaries; Series: Coastal Systems and Continental Margins. (Eds: Fitzgerald, DM and Knight, J), Springer, pp. 11-32. ISBN 9781402032967

Forsythe, W, Quinn, R and Breen, C (2003) Subtidal archaeological investigations in Mombasa's Old Port. In: Researching Africa's Past: New contributions from British Archaeologists. (Eds: Mitchell, P, Haour, A and Hobart, J), Oxbow Books, pp. 133-138. ISBN 978-0-947816-58-2

Cooper, JAG, Kelley, JT, Belknap, DF, Quinn, R and McKenna, J (2002) Inner shelf seismic stratigraphy off the north coast of Northern Ireland: new data on the depth of the Holocene lowstand. MARINE GEOLOGY, 186 (3-4). pp. 369-387.

Quinn, R, Forsythe, W, Breen, C, Dean, M, Lawrence, M and Liscoe, S (2002) Comparison of the Maritime Sites and Monuments Record with side-scan sonar and diver surveys: A case study from Rathlin Island, Ireland. GEOARCHAEOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, 17 (5). pp. 441-451.

Quinn, R, Breen, C, Forsythe, W, Barton, K, Rooney, S and O'Hara, D (2002) Integrated geophysical surveys of The French Frigate La-Surveillante (1797), Bantry Bay, Co. Cork, Ireland. JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 29 (4). pp. 413-422.

Forsythe, W, Quinn, R and Breen, C (2002) Shipwrecking and maritime casualties in Strangford Lough. In: Strangford Lough: an archaeological survey of the maritime cultural landscape. (Eds: McErlean, T, McConkey, R and Forsythe, W), Blackstaff Press, pp. 377-403. ISBN 978-0856407239

Breen, C, Forsythe, W and Quinn, R (2002) Offshore archaeology of the North Coast. In: Field Guide to the Coastal Environments of Northern Ireland . (Eds: Knight , Jasper), University of Ulster, pp. 109-114. ISBN 1 85923 158 6

Breen, C, Forsythe, W, Lane, P, McErlean, T, McConkey, R, Omar, A Lali, Quinn, R and Williams, B (2001) Ulster and the Indian Ocean? Recent maritime archaeological research on the East African coast. Antiquity, 75 (290). pp. 797-798.

Quinn, R, Rooney, S, Barton, K, O' Hara, D and Sheehan , K (2001) An integrated marine geophysical investigation of the 'La Surveillante' wreck-site. In: Integrated Marine Investigations on the Historic Shipwreck 'La Surveillante'. (Eds: Breen, C), Impact Printing, pp. 45-54. ISBN 1 85923 153 5

Quinn, R, Cooper, JAG and Williams, B (2000) Marine geophysical investigation of the inshore coastal waters of Northern Ireland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 29 (2). pp. 294-298.

Quinn, R, Adams, JR, Dix, JK and Bull, JM (1998) The Invincible (1758) site - an integrated geophysical assessment (Shipwrecks, naval archaeology). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 27 (2). pp. 126-138.

Bull, JM, Quinn, R and Dix, JK (1998) Reflection coefficient calculation from marine high resolution seismic reflection (Chirp) data and application to an archaeological case study. MARINE GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCHES, 20 (1). pp. 1-11.

Quinn, R, Bull, JM and Dix, JK (1998) Optimal processing of marine high-resolution seismic reflection (Chirp) data. Marine Geophysical Researches, 20 (1). pp. 13-20.

Quinn, R, Bull, JM and Dix, JK (1997) Buried scour marks as indicators of palaeo-current direction at the Mary Rose wreck site. MARINE GEOLOGY, 140 (3-4). pp. 405-413.

Quinn, R, Bull, JM, Dix, JK and Adams, JR (1997) The Mary Rose site - Geophysical evidence for palaeo-scour marks. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 26 (1). pp. 3-16.

Quinn, R, Bull, JM and Dix, JK (1997) Imaging wooden artefacts using Chirp sources. Archaeological Prospection, 4. pp. 25-35.

This list was generated on Thu May 17 03:48:52 2012 BST.

Research Grants


2012 NI Environment Agency
Project: Maritime archaeology services
Investigator(s): Breen, C., Forsythe, W., McErlean, T., McNeary, R., Quinn, R., Westley, K.
Awarded: £210,861

2011-14 NERC
Project: Late Glacial Sea Level Minima in the Western British Isles [NE/H024301/1]
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Quinn R., Jackson, D.W.T.
Awarded: £716,274

2011 Marine Institute [Integrated Marine Exploration Programme]
Project: Undergraduate offshore training
Investigator(s): Quinn, R., Plets, R., Westley, K., Clements, A.
Awarded: 7 days ship time on RV Celtic Voyager

2011 Invest NI
Project: Enabling Tidal Energy for Northern Ireland [EnTERNI] - Phase 1
Investigator(s): Quinn, R.
Awarded: £455

2011 NI Environment Agency
Project: Maritime archaeology services
Investigator(s): Breen, C., Forsythe, W., McErlean, T., McNeary, R., Quinn, R., Westley, K.
Awarded: £164,593

2011-14 Seismic Micro-Technology, Inc.
Project: University Gift Program Kingdom Suite software
Investigator(s): Quinn, R., Plets, R.
Awarded: $486,920 (in-kind)

2010-11 NERC
Project: National Facility for Scientific Diving support for ’Archaeological applications of the JIBS data’ [NFSD/2010/01]
Investigator(s): Quinn R., Westley, K., Plets, R., Forsythe, W.
Awarded: £32,127 (in-kind)

2010 NI Environment Agency
Project: Maritime archaeology services
Investigator(s): Breen, C., Forsythe, W., McErlean, T., McNeary, R., Quinn, R., Westley, K.
Awarded: £160,000

2010 Marine Institute [Integrated Marine Exploration Programme]
Project: Undergraduate offshore training
Investigator(s): Quinn, R., Plets, R., Westley, K.
Awarded: 7 days ship time on RV Celtic Voyager

2010 NI Environment Agency
Project: Habitat mapping of the Skerries/Causeway proposed Marine SAC
Investigator(s): Quinn, R., Plets, R.
Awarded: £9,843

2009 NI Environment Agency
Project: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £93,833

2009 Marine Institute [Integrated Marine Exploration Programme]
Project: 21st Century Graduate - Undergraduate offshore training
Investigator(s): Brown, C.J., Quinn, R.
Awarded: 7 days ship time on RV Celtic Explorer

2008-09 Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Project: JNCC Offshore Survey Programme - Habitat Mapping of the Solan Banks
Investigator(s): Brown, C.J., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £33,300

2008-10 Heritage Council [Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research Programme 2008-10]
Project: Archaeological applications of the JIBS data
Investigator(s): Quinn, R., Forsythe, W., Plets, R. and Westley, K., Bell, T., Benetti, S., McGrath, F., Robinson, R.
Awarded: £128,442

2008 NI Environment Agency
Project: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £206,000

2008-11 Seismic Micro-Technology, Inc.
Project: University Gift Program Kingdom Suite software
Investigator(s): Quinn, R., Brown, C.J.
Awarded: $190,863 (in-kind)

2007 Environment and Heritage Service
Project: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £151,000

2007-08 Marine Institute [Integrated Marine Exploration Programme]
Project: 21st Century Graduate
Investigator(s): Brown, C.J., Quinn, R.
Awarded: 7 days ship time on RV Celtic Explorer

2007-09 Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada
Project: Marine geophysical signatures of submerged archaeological sites off Newfoundland and Ireland
Investigator(s): Quinn, R.
Awarded: £4,121

2006 Environment and Heritage Service
Project: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £175,444

2006-10 Environment and Heritage Service
Project: Monitoring methods for assessing change in benthic habitats
Investigator(s): Brown, C.J., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £80,537

2005 Environment and Heritage Service
Project: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £151,345

2004-05 Irish Shelf Petroleum Studies Group
Project: Consideration for Archaeological Assessment during Oil Industry Seabed Surveys
Investigator(s): Quinn, R.
Awarded: £10,662

2004 Environment and Heritage Service
Title: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £151,345

2003 Environment and Heritage Service
Title: Maritime Archaeology Services
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £151,345

2002-03 Environment and Heritage Service
Title: Geophysical investigation of the inshore coastal waters of Northern Ireland
Investigator(s): Cooper, J.A.G., Breen, C., Quinn, R.
Awarded: £23,041

1998 IRTU Networking Programme
Title: Establishing a centre of excellence in underwater archaeology
Investigator(s): Quinn, R.
Awarded: £5,246

Teaching Interests


I teach aspects of spatial mapping and acoustic remote sensing on the degree programmes in Marine Science, Environmental Science and Geography. I also contribute to field courses and co-ordinate the UU undergraduate training cruises - CE0803, CE0920, CV10002 and CV11016.

Module co-ordinator

EGM001 Introduction to environmental studies
EGM302 Research methods and field school (Marine Science)
EGM502 Seafloor mapping

Module contributor

EGM101 Skills toolbox
EGM310 Introduction to GIS and remote sensing
EGM302/303/350 Dissertation preparation co-ordinator
EGM504 Environmental science synoptic paper