Associate Professor David Callaghan
Associate Professor

David Callaghan

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53517

Background

Before joining the University of Queensland, Dave P. Callaghan held positions within industry including Parsons Brinckerhoff and Lawson and Treloar and research sector including Nederlands Instituut voor Ecologie and the University of Queensland. He is an observer of the Queensland Water Panel and active in the newly created Australian Hydraulic Modelling Association. He is the author of a book section and more than 50 other technical documents with applied and research applications. He is a consultant to private and government organisations. He has worked recently with private and government organisations to improve understanding of extreme coastal weather responses. He is recognised for leading edge research in coastal engineering including statistics of extremes, beach erosion from extreme events, physical and biological interactions of salt marshes and coral reefs, lagoon dynamics and wave propagation.

Availability

Associate Professor David Callaghan is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Civil engineering Computational methods in fluid flow, heat and mass transfer (incl. computational fluid dynamics) Earth Sciences Ecology Education Education systems Engineering Environmental engineering Fluid mechanics and thermal engineering not elsewhere classified Geophysical and environmental fluid flows Geophysics Higher education Information and Computing Sciences Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) Maritime engineering Ocean engineering Oceanography Physical oceanography Risk engineering Turbulent flows Water resources engineering

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Coastal Engineering

    All aspects of Coastal engineering including wave growth, propagation and dissipation, sediment transport and coastal morphology, surge dynamics, extreme probabilities for coastal variables including beach erosion and oceanic inundation, surf and swash zone hydrodynamics, river entrance hydraulics and morphodynamics and coastal groundwater dynamics.

Research impacts

My research is under continued translation through Civil Engineering consulting work (coastal erosion when managing beaches under changing climate, extreme values for setting flood levels and assessing beach erosion, climate change assessments for flood hazards), Environmental Engineering consulting work (cyclone and non-cyclonic wave climates under a changing climate for the entire Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef and Jervis Bay and coral habitat mapping of the Great Barrier Reef), and through ARC linkages (Redland City Council and DHI Group), Cooperative Research Centres (Blue economy, Bushfires and natural hazards and Tourism) and National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility projects, were research was operationalised by working hand in hand with industry. My discoveries around coastal erosion and extreme values assessments are becoming the normal standard for engineering projects, particularly in NSW, which has a high wave energy coastline.

Search Professor David Callaghan’s works on UQ eSpace

162 works between 2002 and 2025
All (162) Journal Article (88) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (58) Book (1) Other Outputs (12)

1 - 20 of 162 works

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Probabilistic estimation of storm erosion using analytical, semi-empirical, and process based storm erosion models

Callaghan, David P., Ranasinghe, Roshanka and Roelvink, Dano (2013). Probabilistic estimation of storm erosion using analytical, semi-empirical, and process based storm erosion models. Coastal Engineering, 82, 64-75. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.08.007

Probabilistic estimation of storm erosion using analytical, semi-empirical, and process based storm erosion models

Featured

2013

Journal Article

A geospatial assessment of the relationship between reef flat community calcium carbonate production and wave energy

Hamylton, S. M., Pescud, A., Leon, J. X. and Callaghan, D. P. (2013). A geospatial assessment of the relationship between reef flat community calcium carbonate production and wave energy. Coral Reefs, 32 (4), 1025-1039. doi: 10.1007/s00338-013-1074-5

A geospatial assessment of the relationship between reef flat community calcium carbonate production and wave energy

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Coastal retreat and improved water quality mitigate losses of seagrass from sea level rise

Saunders, Megan I., Leon, Javier, Phinn, Stuart R., Callaghan, David P., O'Brien, Katherine R., Roelfsema, Chris M., Lovelock, Catherine E., Lyons, Mitchell B. and Mumby, Peter J. (2013). Coastal retreat and improved water quality mitigate losses of seagrass from sea level rise. Global Change Biology, 19 (8), 2569-2583. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12218

Coastal retreat and improved water quality mitigate losses of seagrass from sea level rise

Featured

2012

Conference Publication

Scoping metalearning opportunity in the first three years of engineering

Meyer, Jan, Knight, David, Baldock, Tom, Kizil, Mehmet, O'Moore, Liza and Callaghan, David (2012). Scoping metalearning opportunity in the first three years of engineering. 23rd Annual Conference of the Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AAEE 2012), Melbourne, Australia, 3 - 5 December 2012. Melbourne, Australia: Swinburne University of Technology.

Scoping metalearning opportunity in the first three years of engineering

Featured

2008

Journal Article

Statistical simulation of wave climate and extreme beach erosion

Callaghan, D., Nielsen, P., Short, A. and Ranasinghe, R. (2008). Statistical simulation of wave climate and extreme beach erosion. Coastal Engineering, 55 (5), 375-390. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2007.12.003

Statistical simulation of wave climate and extreme beach erosion

2025

Journal Article

The spatial risk of cyclone wave damage across the Great Barrier Reef

Cheung, Mandy W.M., Chaloupka, Milani, Mumby, Peter J. and Callaghan, David P. (2025). The spatial risk of cyclone wave damage across the Great Barrier Reef. Ecological Informatics, 89 103175, 103175-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103175

The spatial risk of cyclone wave damage across the Great Barrier Reef

2025

Journal Article

Interdisciplinary solutions to enable nature-based solutions for coastal protection achieve ecological and engineering outcomes

Twomey, Alice J., Erickson, Katherine, Bishop, Melanie J., Boody, Kris, Callaghan, David P., Cannard, Toni, Lovelock, Catherine E., Mayer-Pinto, Mariana, Morris, Rebecca L., Pomeroy, Andrew W.M., Saunders, Megan I., Steven, Andy, Waltham, Nathan J. and Bugnot, Ana (2025). Interdisciplinary solutions to enable nature-based solutions for coastal protection achieve ecological and engineering outcomes. Environmental Science and Policy, 171 104157, 104157-171. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104157

Interdisciplinary solutions to enable nature-based solutions for coastal protection achieve ecological and engineering outcomes

2025

Journal Article

Discoveries on coastal retrogressive breach failures inspired by failure of an underwater fixed platform

Man, Xiamei, Dally, William R., Callaghan, David P. and Nielsen, Peter (2025). Discoveries on coastal retrogressive breach failures inspired by failure of an underwater fixed platform. Marine Geology, 484 107530, 107530-484. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2025.107530

Discoveries on coastal retrogressive breach failures inspired by failure of an underwater fixed platform

2025

Journal Article

Quantifying the impact of future climate change on the risk of coral rubble instability across the Great Barrier Reef by 2100

Liu, Dongfang, Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2025). Quantifying the impact of future climate change on the risk of coral rubble instability across the Great Barrier Reef by 2100. Journal of Environmental Management, 386 125716. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125716

Quantifying the impact of future climate change on the risk of coral rubble instability across the Great Barrier Reef by 2100

2025

Conference Publication

Structural and hydrodynamic analysis of the breakage of branching and plate corals

Deng, Wen, Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2025). Structural and hydrodynamic analysis of the breakage of branching and plate corals. 38th Conference on Coastal Engineering, Rome, Italy, 8-14 September 2024. Reston, VA USA: American Society of Civil Engineers. doi: 10.9753/icce.v38.management.22

Structural and hydrodynamic analysis of the breakage of branching and plate corals

2025

Journal Article

Accelerating coral rubble instability assessments with machine learning: insights from the Great Barrier Reef

Liu, Dongfang, Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2025). Accelerating coral rubble instability assessments with machine learning: insights from the Great Barrier Reef. Applied Ocean Research, 158 104580, 104580. doi: 10.1016/j.apor.2025.104580

Accelerating coral rubble instability assessments with machine learning: insights from the Great Barrier Reef

2025

Journal Article

Structural and hydrodynamic modelling of the probability of breakage of branching and plate coral colonies

Deng, Wen, Eigeland, Karen, Kenyon, Tania, Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2025). Structural and hydrodynamic modelling of the probability of breakage of branching and plate coral colonies. Coastal Engineering, 195 104647, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2024.104647

Structural and hydrodynamic modelling of the probability of breakage of branching and plate coral colonies

2025

Journal Article

A probabilistic coral rubble mechanical instability model applied with field observations from the Great Barrier reef

Liu, Dongfang, Callaghan, David P., Wuppukondur, Ananth and Baldock, Tom E. (2025). A probabilistic coral rubble mechanical instability model applied with field observations from the Great Barrier reef. Coastal Engineering, 195 104655. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2024.104655

A probabilistic coral rubble mechanical instability model applied with field observations from the Great Barrier reef

2025

Journal Article

Bio-degradable ‘reef bags’ used for rubble stabilisation and their impact on rubble stability, binding, coral recruitment and fish occupancy

Kenyon, Tania M., Jones, Conor, Rissik, David, Brassil, Wills, Callaghan, David, Mattocks, Neil and Baldock, Tom E. (2025). Bio-degradable ‘reef bags’ used for rubble stabilisation and their impact on rubble stability, binding, coral recruitment and fish occupancy. Ecological Engineering, 210 107433. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2024.107433

Bio-degradable ‘reef bags’ used for rubble stabilisation and their impact on rubble stability, binding, coral recruitment and fish occupancy

2024

Other Outputs

Case studies of estimating climate projections of flooding hazard using NARClim 1.5 for Gwydir River, Macquarie River, Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga Settlement and Illawarra Catchment.

Callaghan, David (2024). Case studies of estimating climate projections of flooding hazard using NARClim 1.5 for Gwydir River, Macquarie River, Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga Settlement and Illawarra Catchment.. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8e4bf7a

Case studies of estimating climate projections of flooding hazard using NARClim 1.5 for Gwydir River, Macquarie River, Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga Settlement and Illawarra Catchment.

2023

Journal Article

Assessing coastline recession for adaptation planning: sea level rise versus storm erosion

Ranasinghe, Roshanka, Callaghan, David P., Li, Fan, Wainwright, David J. and Duong, Trang Minh (2023). Assessing coastline recession for adaptation planning: sea level rise versus storm erosion. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 8286, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-35523-8

Assessing coastline recession for adaptation planning: sea level rise versus storm erosion

2023

Journal Article

Mobilisation thresholds for coral rubble and consequences for windows of reef recovery

Kenyon, Tania M., Harris, Daniel, Baldock, Tom, Callaghan, David, Doropoulos, Christopher, Webb, Gregory, Newman, Steven P. and Mumby, Peter J. (2023). Mobilisation thresholds for coral rubble and consequences for windows of reef recovery. Biogeosciences, 20 (20), 4339-4357. doi: 10.5194/bg-20-4339-2023

Mobilisation thresholds for coral rubble and consequences for windows of reef recovery

2023

Conference Publication

A process-based numerical model of shoreface profile evolution

Patterson, Dean, Nielsen, Peter, Callaghan, Dave and Baldock, Tom (2023). A process-based numerical model of shoreface profile evolution. International Conference on Coastal Engineering 2022, Sydney, Australia, 4-9 December.

A process-based numerical model of shoreface profile evolution

2023

Conference Publication

Wave drag coefficient useful for nature: seagrass-based coastal protection design in estuaries

Twomey, Alice, O'Brien, Katherine, Callaghan, David and Saunders, Megan (2023). Wave drag coefficient useful for nature: seagrass-based coastal protection design in estuaries. 37th Conference on Coastal Engineering, Sydney, NSW Australia, 4-9 December 2022. Reston, VA USA: American Society of Civil Engineers. doi: 10.9753/icce.v37.management.57

Wave drag coefficient useful for nature: seagrass-based coastal protection design in estuaries

2023

Conference Publication

Hydrodynamic modelling on Heron Island to predict coral breakage and rubble motion

Wuppukondur, Ananth, Deng, Wen, Liu, Dongfang, Callaghan, Dave and Baldock, Tom (2023). Hydrodynamic modelling on Heron Island to predict coral breakage and rubble motion. Australasian Coasts and Ports 2023 Conference, Twin Waters, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2023. Barton, ACT Australia: Engineers Australia.

Hydrodynamic modelling on Heron Island to predict coral breakage and rubble motion

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    NSW regional-scale flood hazard projections under climate change
    New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment
    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

  • 2021 - 2024
    Managing the existing and emerging threats from coastal flow slides
    ARC Linkage Projects
    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
  • 2019 - 2023
    Next generation offshore blue water aquaculture
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Understanding reservoir sedimentation
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Coastal Engineering Research Field Station (CERFS) (ARC LIEF project administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Resilience to clustered disaster events on the coast - storm surge
    Commonwealth Government Geoscience Australia
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Healthy Waterways model custodian
    Healthy Waterways Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    North West Channel Trial Dredging Project
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Assessing and enhancing the resilience of Australian beaches to sea level rise.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Development and validation of an innovative wind stress model to obtain robust storm surge forecasts
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Seagrass as an ecological indicator: resolving challenges of scale and complexity
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Optimising SWRO Concentrate Discharge During 'Hot Standby' Operation
    Murdoch University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    A model framework for assessing risk and adaptation to climate change on Australian coasts
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Development of an adaptive statistical model for oceanic flooding hazards along the East Australian coast
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Near-bed wave kinetics
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor David Callaghan is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Amity Point Flow Slides: Intermediate scale investigations

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Nielsen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Coastal erosion when managing beaches under changing climate

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alexander Scheuermann

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing and modelling of breaching and coastal erosion risks on Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast under current and future wave climates.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Remo Cossu, Professor Tom Baldock

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impacts of climate change-induced large-scale disturbances on coral reef connectivity and recovery

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Offshore seaweed and renewable energy farms: solutions for integration and co-location

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Chien Ming Wang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Examination of the performance of XBeach numerical model for beaches on open coasts and behind coral reefs using laboratory, field and aerial imaging data

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tom Baldock

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor David Callaghan directly for media enquiries about:

  • beach ersion
  • coastal engineering
  • fluid mechanics
  • storm surge
  • wave modelling

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