Professor Cynthia Burek

Professor Cynthia Burek, the first chair of Geoconservation in the world, teaches on a variety of courses within the department.

Overview

Professor Cynthia Burek specialises in conservation issues but also, as a geologist, runs the scene of crime materials module.

She is deputy director of the Centre for Science Communication and serves on the University Health and Safety Committee. She is also chair of the Environmental Task Force for the University. Nationally, she serves on the Geoconservation Commission, the GeoConservationUK Executive and is past chair of NEWRIGS for 16 years. She is also deputy of Cheshire RIGS. She is also on the Stakeholders committee for the Irish Sea Conservation Zone which was one of 4 marine areas set up by the Government to designate marine conservation areas. She is the only Geoconservationalist.

She is on the editorial board of Earth Heritage and BioHorizons and edits Origins. She convenes the International Federation of University Women Committee for the Award of International Fellowships.

Teaching

Professor Cynthia Burek teaches on ecology, introduction to animal behaviour, field ecology and introduction to forensic biology, as well as having a small input into the nutrition and public health modules.

She runs the level 6 Conservation and Environmental Impact module and the Scene of crime – materials module on the Forensic Biology degree. She also runs the Habitat module for the MSc in Wildlife Conservation

Research

Her research interests are in Sustainable development, limestone pavement conservation, public understanding of and planning policy influencing geodiversity and habitat conservation in general, Quaternary and past climate change and extinctions and all aspects of women in history of science.