Dr Daniel Harris
Dr

Daniel Harris

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56084

Background

My research career began when I recognised that the marine world has a history and pattern that can explain the past, understand the present, and predict the future. I started studying beaches and coral reefs since they are iconic and complex systems where marine, ecological, geological and human processes interact to produce the ecosystems we see today. My goal, and that of my lab (The BeachLab), is to develop tools, gather data, and provide analyses to help coastlines and coral reefs navigate a warmer world. Our projects are focused on fundamental research questions about how coasts and coral reefs change through time. We also have applied research objectives to support the future management of coastal and coral reef systems.

I am now a teacher and researcher in Geography at the School of the Environment at UQ. Prior to my appointment at UQ, I was a teacher and researcher at The University of Sydney (where I completed my Undergraduate and PhD degrees) and in a combined post at The University of Bremen (MARUM) and the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT). Perhaps equally importantly I grew up on the east coast of Australia and I have a personal and professional passion for beaches, coral reefs, surf, and the ocean.

Availability

Dr Daniel Harris is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Climate change impacts and adaptation Earth Sciences Environmental Sciences Geology Marine geoscience Oceanography Physical oceanography

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney

Research interests

  • Morphodynamics

    My research broadly fits into the topic of morphodynamics, which examines the mutual interactions between physical processes (i.e. waves, tides, and currents) and morphology of coastal systems (e.g. beaches and coral reefs). More simply I study coastal change and the processes driving such change, and attempt to establish conceptual and numerical models that describe coastal and coral reef change.

  • Coral Reefs

    The effects of hydrodynamics and sea level changes on coral reef geomorphology and ecology is the primary focus of my research. This includes a wide range of topics such as: sea level change and geological development of coral reefs, surf zone science, and linking hydrodynamic forcing to changes in ecological assemblages. This work is conducted in collaboration with a wide range of reef ecologists, geologists, and coastal scientists. The aim of this work is to build a sophisticated understanding of coral reef change by incorporating methods from multiple disciplines and ultimately improve our knowledge of coral reef evolution on scales relevant to planners and managers.

  • Coral reefs and coastal protection

    The observed worldwide degradation of reef building corals has led to concerns regarding the provision of ecosystem services provided by coral reefs in the future. Coastal protection is one of the most important services provided by coral reefs and yet is poorly studied. This work attempts to quantify the wave climates and coastal change on tropical coastlines for future scenarios of coral reef health.

  • Beach change and surf zone processes

    This area focuses on collecting and assessing surf zone wave data in order to test the prevailing models that describe surf zone processes in coral reefs and beaches. There are research projects almost constantly available in this area of study looking at coral reefs and the beaches on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Search Professor Daniel Harris’s works on UQ eSpace

56 works between 1945 and 2025
All (56) Journal Article (44) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (5)

41 - 56 of 56 works

2016

Journal Article

Geomorphic changes of a coral shingle cay measured using Kite Aerial Photography

Bryson, Mitch, Duce, Stephanie, Harris, Dan, Webster, Jody M., Thompson, Alisha, Vila-Concejo, Ana and Williams, Stefan B. (2016). Geomorphic changes of a coral shingle cay measured using Kite Aerial Photography. Geomorphology, 270, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.06.018

Geomorphic changes of a coral shingle cay measured using Kite Aerial Photography

2016

Journal Article

The analysis of Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) relative sea-level indicators: Reconstructing sea-level in a warmer world

Rovere, Alessio, Raymo, Maureen E., Vacchi, Matteo, Lorscheid, Thomas, Stocchi, Paolo, Gomez-Pujol, Lluís, Harris, Daniel L., Casella, Elisa, O'Leary, Michael J. and Hearty, Paul J. (2016). The analysis of Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) relative sea-level indicators: Reconstructing sea-level in a warmer world. Earth-Science Reviews, 159, 404-427. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2016.06.006

The analysis of Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) relative sea-level indicators: Reconstructing sea-level in a warmer world

2016

Journal Article

Influence of hydrodynamic energy on Holocene reef flat accretion, Great Barrier Reef

Dechnik, Belinda, Webster, Jody M., Nothdurft, Luke, Webb, Gregory E., Zhao, Jian-xin, Duce, Stephanie, Braga, Juan C., Harris, Daniel L., Vila-Concejo, Ana and Puotinen, Marji (2016). Influence of hydrodynamic energy on Holocene reef flat accretion, Great Barrier Reef. Quaternary Research, 85 (1), 44-53. doi: 10.1016/j.yqres.2015.11.002

Influence of hydrodynamic energy on Holocene reef flat accretion, Great Barrier Reef

2016

Conference Publication

The role of coral reef rugosity in dissipating wave energy and coastal protection

Harris, Daniel, Rovere, Alessio, Parravicini, Valeriano and Casella, Elisa (2016). The role of coral reef rugosity in dissipating wave energy and coastal protection. EGU General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016.

The role of coral reef rugosity in dissipating wave energy and coastal protection

2015

Journal Article

Spatial variations in wave transformation and sediment entrainment on a coral reef sand apron

Harris, D.L., Vila-Concejo, A., Webster, J.M. and Power, H.E. (2015). Spatial variations in wave transformation and sediment entrainment on a coral reef sand apron. Marine Geology, 363, 220-229. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2015.02.010

Spatial variations in wave transformation and sediment entrainment on a coral reef sand apron

2015

Journal Article

Late holocene sea-level fall and turn-off of reef flat carbonate production: Rethinking bucket fill and coral reef growth models

Harris, Daniel L., Webster, Jody M. , Vila-Concejo, Ana, Hua, Quan, Yokoyama, Yusuke and Reimer, Paula J. (2015). Late holocene sea-level fall and turn-off of reef flat carbonate production: Rethinking bucket fill and coral reef growth models. Geology, 43 (2), 175-178. doi: 10.1130/G35977.1

Late holocene sea-level fall and turn-off of reef flat carbonate production: Rethinking bucket fill and coral reef growth models

2014

Journal Article

Sediment transport and mixing depth on a coral reef sand apron

Vila-Concejo, Ana, Harris, Daniel L., Power, Hannah E., Shannon, Amelia M. and Webster, Jody M. (2014). Sediment transport and mixing depth on a coral reef sand apron. Geomorphology, 222, 143-150. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.09.034

Sediment transport and mixing depth on a coral reef sand apron

2014

Journal Article

Geomorphology and sediment transport on a submerged back-reef sand apron: One Tree Reef, Great Barrier Reef

Harris, Daniel L., Vila-Concejo, Ana and Webster, Jody M. (2014). Geomorphology and sediment transport on a submerged back-reef sand apron: One Tree Reef, Great Barrier Reef. Geomorphology, 222, 132-142. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.03.015

Geomorphology and sediment transport on a submerged back-reef sand apron: One Tree Reef, Great Barrier Reef

2013

Conference Publication

Coral reef sediment dynamics: Evidence of sand-apron evolution on a daily and decadal scale

Vila-Concejo, Ana, Harris, Daniel L., Shannon, Amelia M., Webster, Jody M. and Power, Hannah E. (2013). Coral reef sediment dynamics: Evidence of sand-apron evolution on a daily and decadal scale. doi: 10.2112/SI65-103

Coral reef sediment dynamics: Evidence of sand-apron evolution on a daily and decadal scale

2013

Journal Article

A comparative study of modern carbonate mud in reefs and carbonate platforms: Mostly biogenic, some precipitated

Gischler, Eberhard, Dietrich, Sarah, Harris, Daniel, Webster, Jody M. and Ginsburg, Robert N. (2013). A comparative study of modern carbonate mud in reefs and carbonate platforms: Mostly biogenic, some precipitated. Sedimentary Geology, 292, 36-55. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2013.04.003

A comparative study of modern carbonate mud in reefs and carbonate platforms: Mostly biogenic, some precipitated

2013

Journal Article

Coral reef sediment dynamics: evidence of sand-apron evolution on a daily and decadal scale

Vila-Concejo, Ana, Harris, Daniel L., Shannon, Amelia M., Webster, Jody M. and Power, Hannah E. (2013). Coral reef sediment dynamics: evidence of sand-apron evolution on a daily and decadal scale. Journal of Coastal Research, 606-611. doi: 10.2112/SI65-103.1

Coral reef sediment dynamics: evidence of sand-apron evolution on a daily and decadal scale

2013

Conference Publication

Wave transformation on a coral reef rubble platform

Harris, Daniel L. and Vila-Concejo, Ana (2013). Wave transformation on a coral reef rubble platform. 12th International Coastal Symposium (ICS2013), Plymouth, United Kingdom, 8-12 April 2013. Coconut Creek, FL, United States: Coastal Education & Research Foundation. doi: 10.2112/SI65-086.1

Wave transformation on a coral reef rubble platform

2011

Journal Article

Medium term behavior and evolution of a beach cusps system in a low energy beach, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia

Benavente, J., Harris, D. L., Austin, T. P. and Vila-Concejo, A. (2011). Medium term behavior and evolution of a beach cusps system in a low energy beach, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia. Journal of Coastal Research (SPEC. ISSUE 64), 170-174.

Medium term behavior and evolution of a beach cusps system in a low energy beach, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia

2011

Journal Article

Geomorphology and morphodynamics of a sand apron, One Tree Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef

Harris, D. L., Webster, J. M., De Carli, E. V. and Vila-Concejo, A. (2011). Geomorphology and morphodynamics of a sand apron, One Tree Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Coastal Research, 760-764.

Geomorphology and morphodynamics of a sand apron, One Tree Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef

2011

Journal Article

Estuarine beach evolution in relation to a flood-tide delta

Vila-Concejo, A., Austin, T. P., Harris, D. L., Hughes, M. G., Short, A. D. and Ranasinghe, R. (2011). Estuarine beach evolution in relation to a flood-tide delta. Journal of Coastal Research, 190-194.

Estuarine beach evolution in relation to a flood-tide delta

1945

Journal Article

SYMPTOMS OF MALNUTRITION IN DEER

HARRIS, D (1945). SYMPTOMS OF MALNUTRITION IN DEER. Journal of Wildlife Management, 9 (4), 319-322. doi: 10.2307/3796373

SYMPTOMS OF MALNUTRITION IN DEER

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Future trajectories coral reef islands - integrating sediment budgets and reef island models.
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Waves through the Great Barrier Reef:Coastal wave climate and hazards in Queensland tropics (RICF funding administered by AIMS)
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    RRAP-RS-01-V1 Rubble location, prediction and sub-program management (GBRF funding administered by AIMS)
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    RRAP-RS-02-V1 Approaches to stabilisation
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    RRAP-RS-03-V1 Synthesis and Tools Rubble Stabilisation
    Australian Institute of Marine Science
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2021
    How do tropical shorelines change if coral reefs decline and sea levels rise?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    The influence of wave exposure on coral reef sea level records: Can wave energy resolve the meltwater pulse discrepancies? (IODP ANZIC grant)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Hydrodynamics & Materials Transport in the Mary River Estuary: An Initial Assessment
    Mary River Catchment Coordination Assoc Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018
    The history of late-Holocene relative sea level and coral reef flat carbonate production in the southern Great Barrier Reef
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Daniel Harris is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Surf zone processes in coral reefs and beaches

    There are projects available at the Honours or Masters level in examining surf zone processes on coral reef flats in the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific. Ideally, the student would have some understanding of GIS and MATLAB as this work will in general be based in developing a numerical understanding of coral reef surf zones. However, if you are comupter savvy and enthusiastic you are welcome to discuss projects. There are currently no specific plans for field work in this area but there are always plans for addtional data collection. Potential PhD students are also wlelcome to come and discuss projects if interested in this area.

  • PhD, Masters, and Honours Research Projects

    The links goes to the lab website where some potential projects are sporadically updated. You can also look at the projects page to see what we are actively working on which will usually have student research projects available as well.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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