Overview
Profile summary
Richard is the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, and the University’s Senior Accountable Officer. His role includes:
- Responsibility to the Board of Governors for all aspects of the leadership and performance of the institution, including its overall strategy
- Member of the Board of Governors
- Chair of University Executive Group and Senate
- Institutional Profile raising and ambassadorial work at regional, national and international level.
He has been the Vice-Chancellor of the University since October 2024, when he joined from the University of Newcastle where he was PVC Global and Sustainability. Prior to this, he was Director of Durham Energy Institute and Dean Knowledge Exchange and Impact at Durham University. He is an earth scientist by training, studying at the University of Reading and the University of Edinburgh before working in the oil and gas industry for ExxonMobil. His research has focused on sedimentary basins, climate change and marine methane hydrates. As Vice-Chancellor, he is committed to enhancing student experience and driving impactful research that benefits Plymouth, the South West, and the wider global community. In his spare time, he is an avid squash player and plays at a competitive level for the University of Plymouth team.
Academic qualifications
PhD Geology, University of Edinburgh
1991 → 1995
BSc Geology, University of Reading
1987 → 1990
Research Interests
- Climate Change
- Marine Methane Hydrates
- Building projects in the area of carbon capture and storage
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Research output
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What does specialisation for a university mean in a defence-led economy?
Davies, R., 11 Nov 2025, WONKHE: Home of The Higher Education Debate.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
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Long-distance migration and venting of methane from the base of the hydrate stability zone
Davies, R. J., Yang, J., Ireland, M. T., Berndt, C., Maqueda, M. Á. M. & Huuse, M., Jan 2024, In: Nature Geoscience. 17, 1, p. 32-37 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Insights into Gas Hydrate Dynamics from 3D Seismic Data, Offshore Mauritania
Berndt, C., Davies, R., Li, A. & Yang, J., 1 Jan 2022, World Atlas of Submarine Gas Hydrates in Continental Margins. Springer International Publishing, p. 323-329 7 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Climatically driven instability of marine methane hydrate along a canyon-incised continental margin
Davies, R. J., Maqueda, M. Á. M., Li, A. & Ireland, M., 2021, In: Geology. 49, 8, p. 973-977 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Dynamic baselines for the detection of water quality impacts-the case of shale gas development
Worrall, F., Davies, R. J. & Hart, A., Aug 2021, In: Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts. 23, 8, p. 1116-1129 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access