Associate Professor Deirdre Hart


Associate Professor Deirdre Hart is one of Canterbury’s top coastal scientists. She is also a Proctor and a lecturer.


Deirdre’s qualifications and memberships

Bachelor of Science (University of Canterbury)

Master of Science (University of Canterbury)

Doctor of Philosophy (University of New South Wales)

New Zealand Coastal Society (Professional Organisation): former chairperson

International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) (Professional Organisation): Member

Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF) (Professional Organisation): Member

New Zealand Coastal Society Professional Development Award 2019-2020 Best Conference Presentation, New Zealand Coastal Society

New Zealand Zonta Science Award

Teaching Award, University of Canterbury

New Zealand Geographical Society Award for Best Conference Paper

Institute of Australian Geographers and New Zealand Geographical Society Award for an Outstanding Conference Paper

Eileen Fairburn Award University of New South Wales Postgraduate Research Award

University Prize


Deirdre researches the physical, biological and human (including built environments) processes and interactions in coastal environments via an approach that is fundamentally multi-disciplinary. She is passionate about the dissemination of coastal science through education, informed management, and community engagement. Her research and teaching interests include temperate and tropical coastal and river-mouth science, engineering and management, in New Zealand, Korea, Italy and the USA. Deirdre employs a range of techniques from field, to laboratory and numerical and theoretical modelling. She is an international expert in coastal multi-hazard theory, incorporating research on river mouths, high-energy coasts, mudflats, reef sediments, pocket beaches and urban hazards such as flooding and earthquake effects.


Recent Publications

Pitman SJ., Thompson K., Hart DE., Moran K., Gallop SL., Brander RW. and Wooler A. (2021) Beachgoers' ability to identify rip currents at a beach in situ. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences 21(1): 115-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-115-2021. Byun DS. and Hart DE. (2020) A monthly tidal envelope classification for semidiurnal regimes in terms of the relative proportions of the S2, N2, and M2 constituents. Ocean Science 16(4): 965-977. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/os-16-965-2020. Byun DS. and Hart DE. (2020) Predicting tidal heights for extreme environments: From 25 h observations to accurate predictions at Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Ocean Science 16(5): 1111-1124. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/os-16-1111-2020. Hart D. and Hume T. (2020) Coastal hydrosystem responses to sea level rise. Coastal News SP4: 45-54. Hart D., Pitman S. and Byun D-S. (2020) Earthquakes, coasts… and climate change? Multi-hazard opportunities, challenges and approaches for coastal cities.. Journal of Coastal Research (SI95): 819-823. http://dx.doi.org/10.2112/SI95-159.1.










































Source: University of Canterbury science