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)

41 - 60 of 162 works

2020

Journal Article

Near-reef and nearshore tropical cyclone wave climate in the Great Barrier Reef with and without reef structure

Callaghan, David P., Mumby, Peter J. and Mason, Matthew S. (2020). Near-reef and nearshore tropical cyclone wave climate in the Great Barrier Reef with and without reef structure. Coastal Engineering, 157 103652, 103652. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2020.103652

Near-reef and nearshore tropical cyclone wave climate in the Great Barrier Reef with and without reef structure

2020

Conference Publication

Statistical modelling of extreme ocean climate with incorporation of storm clustering

Jiang, Wenping, Davies, Gareth, Callaghan, David P., Baldock, Tom and Nichol, Scott (2020). Statistical modelling of extreme ocean climate with incorporation of storm clustering. 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, MODSIM 2015, Gold Coast, Australia, 29 November - 4 December 2015. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc. (MSSANZ).

Statistical modelling of extreme ocean climate with incorporation of storm clustering

2020

Other Outputs

Statistical simulations of Swansea Channel flooding under uncertain sea level rise

Callaghan, David, Wainwright, David and Hanslow, David (2020). Statistical simulations of Swansea Channel flooding under uncertain sea level rise. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2020.714

Statistical simulations of Swansea Channel flooding under uncertain sea level rise

2020

Journal Article

Two-dimensional modelling of wave dynamics and wave forces on fringing coral reefs

Baldock, Tom E., Shabani, Behnam, Callaghan, David P., Hu, Zhifang and Mumby, Peter J. (2020). Two-dimensional modelling of wave dynamics and wave forces on fringing coral reefs. Coastal Engineering, 155 103594, 103594. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2019.103594

Two-dimensional modelling of wave dynamics and wave forces on fringing coral reefs

2019

Conference Publication

Unravelling the Influence of Surface Water Waves on Desalination Plant Discharges

Baum, Mitchell, Albert, Simon, Callaghan, David, Grinham, Alistair and Gibbes, Badin (2019). Unravelling the Influence of Surface Water Waves on Desalination Plant Discharges. 38th IAHR World Congress 2019, Panama City, Panama, 1-6 September 2019. Beijing, China: International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research. doi: 10.3850/38WC092019-1175

Unravelling the Influence of Surface Water Waves on Desalination Plant Discharges

2019

Journal Article

Open access Bayesian Belief Networks for estimating the hydrodynamics and shoreline response behind fringing reefs subject to climate changes and reef degradation

Baldock, T. E., Shabani, B. and Callaghan, D. P. (2019). Open access Bayesian Belief Networks for estimating the hydrodynamics and shoreline response behind fringing reefs subject to climate changes and reef degradation. Environmental Modelling and Software, 119, 327-340. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2019.07.001

Open access Bayesian Belief Networks for estimating the hydrodynamics and shoreline response behind fringing reefs subject to climate changes and reef degradation

2019

Other Outputs

Great Barrier Reef and Capricorn Bunker Group Cyclonic Wave Climate

Callaghan, David (2019). Great Barrier Reef and Capricorn Bunker Group Cyclonic Wave Climate. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.169

Great Barrier Reef and Capricorn Bunker Group Cyclonic Wave Climate

2019

Conference Publication

Modelling stratified flow within a pacific Atoll lagoon: Manihiki, Cook Islands

McCall, Emma L. and Callaghan, David P. (2019). Modelling stratified flow within a pacific Atoll lagoon: Manihiki, Cook Islands. Australasian Coasts and Ports 2019 Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 10 - 13 September 2019. Hobart, TAS, Australia: Australian Coasts and Ports.

Modelling stratified flow within a pacific Atoll lagoon: Manihiki, Cook Islands

2018

Journal Article

Communicating physics-based wave model predictions of coral reefs using Bayesian belief networks

Callaghan, David P., Baldock, Tom E., Shabani, Behnam and Mumby, Peter J. (2018). Communicating physics-based wave model predictions of coral reefs using Bayesian belief networks. Environmental Modelling & Software, 108, 123-132. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.07.021

Communicating physics-based wave model predictions of coral reefs using Bayesian belief networks

2018

Journal Article

Water residence time controls the feedback between seagrass, sediment and light: implications for restoration

Adams, Matthew P., Ghisalberti, Marco, Lowe, Ryan J., Callaghan, David P., Baird, Mark E., Infantes, Eduardo and O'Brien, Katherine R. (2018). Water residence time controls the feedback between seagrass, sediment and light: implications for restoration. Advances in Water Resources, 117, 14-26. doi: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2018.04.004

Water residence time controls the feedback between seagrass, sediment and light: implications for restoration

2018

Journal Article

Coral reef habitat mapping: a combination of object-based image analysis and ecological modelling

Roelfsema, Chris, Kovacs, Eva, Ortiz, Juan Carlos, Wolff, Nicholas H., Callaghan, David, Wettle, Magnus, Ronan, Mike, Hamylton, Sarah M, Mumby, Peter J. and Phinn, Stuart (2018). Coral reef habitat mapping: a combination of object-based image analysis and ecological modelling. Remote Sensing of Environment, 208 (2018), 27-41. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2018.02.005

Coral reef habitat mapping: a combination of object-based image analysis and ecological modelling

2018

Journal Article

Laboratory investigation of the Bruun Rule and beach response to sea level rise

Atkinson, Alexander L., Baldock, Tom E., Birrien, Florent, Callaghan, David P., Nielsen, Peter, Beuzen, Tomas, Turner, Ian L., Blenkinsopp, Chris E. and Ranasinghe, Roshanka (2018). Laboratory investigation of the Bruun Rule and beach response to sea level rise. Coastal Engineering, 136, 183-202. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2018.03.003

Laboratory investigation of the Bruun Rule and beach response to sea level rise

2018

Conference Publication

The relative contribution of sea level rise and storm erosion to long term net coastline recession

Ranasinghe, Roshanka, Wainwright, David, Callaghan, Dave and Duong, Trang (2018). The relative contribution of sea level rise and storm erosion to long term net coastline recession. 36th International Conference on Coastal Engineering 2018, Baltimore, MD United States, 30 July-3 August 2018. Reston, VA United States: American Society of Civil Engineers. doi: 10.9753/icce.v36.sediment.3

The relative contribution of sea level rise and storm erosion to long term net coastline recession

2017

Journal Article

Morphological hysteresis in the evolution of beach profiles under sequences of wave climates - Part 1; observations

Baldock, T. E., Birrien, F., Atkinson, A., Shimamoto, T., Wu, S., Callaghan, D. P. and Nielsen, P. (2017). Morphological hysteresis in the evolution of beach profiles under sequences of wave climates - Part 1; observations. Coastal Engineering, 128, 92-105. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2017.08.005

Morphological hysteresis in the evolution of beach profiles under sequences of wave climates - Part 1; observations

2017

Journal Article

Improved treatment of non-stationary conditions and uncertainties in probabilistic models of storm wave climate

Davies, Gareth, Callaghan, David P., Gravois, Uriah, Jiang, Wenping, Hanslow, David, Nichol, Scott and Baldock, Tom (2017). Improved treatment of non-stationary conditions and uncertainties in probabilistic models of storm wave climate. Coastal Engineering, 127, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2017.06.005

Improved treatment of non-stationary conditions and uncertainties in probabilistic models of storm wave climate

2017

Journal Article

Momentum transfer under laboratory wind waves

Olfateh, M., Ware, P., Callaghan, D. P., Nielsen, P. and Baldock, T. E. (2017). Momentum transfer under laboratory wind waves. Coastal Engineering, 121, 255-264. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.09.001

Momentum transfer under laboratory wind waves

2017

Journal Article

Tropical cyclone wind field asymmetry—development and evaluation of a new parametric model

Olfateh, Mohammad, Callaghan, David P., Nielsen, Peter and Baldock, Tom E. (2017). Tropical cyclone wind field asymmetry—development and evaluation of a new parametric model. Journal of Geophysical Research, 122 (1), 458-469. doi: 10.1002/2016JC012237

Tropical cyclone wind field asymmetry—development and evaluation of a new parametric model

2017

Journal Article

Assessment of runup predictions by empirical models on non-truncated beaches on the south-east Australian coast

Atkinson, Alexander L., Power, Hannah E., Moura, Theo, Hammond, Tim, Callaghan, David P. and Baldock, Tom E. (2017). Assessment of runup predictions by empirical models on non-truncated beaches on the south-east Australian coast. Coastal Engineering, 119, 15-31. doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.10.001

Assessment of runup predictions by empirical models on non-truncated beaches on the south-east Australian coast

2017

Book Chapter

Assessing storm erosion hazards

Ranasinghe, Roshanka and Callaghan, David (2017). Assessing storm erosion hazards. Coastal storms: Processes and Impacts. (pp. 241-256) edited by Paolo Ciavola and Giovanni Coco. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118937099.ch12

Assessing storm erosion hazards

2017

Conference Publication

Comparing extreme water levels using different techniques and impact of climate indices

Callaghan, David P., Couriel, Edward, Hanslow, David, Modra, Ben, Fitzhenry, Martin and Jacobs, Rob (2017). Comparing extreme water levels using different techniques and impact of climate indices. Australasian Coasts and Ports 2017 Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21-23 June 2017. Barton, ACT Australia: Engineers Australia, PIANC Australia and Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand.

Comparing extreme water levels using different techniques and impact of climate indices

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

    Coastal erosion when managing beaches under changing climate

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alexander Scheuermann

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Amity Point Flow Slides: Intermediate scale investigations

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Nielsen

  • 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

  • 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

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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