My research interests encompass the sedimentology and stratigraphy of continental, coastal and shallow marine clastic depositional systems. I am particularly interested in applications to exploration for mineral resources, principally hydrocarbons and coal. I have had a long-term interest in the development of genetic models for coal deposits in different tectonic and depositional settings, and in the prognostic and diagnostic applications of sedimentology to oil and gas exploration. Much of my current research is aimed towards improving stratigraphic models for successions accumulated under low-accommodation conditions. I maintain active field-based research programs in eastern Australia, Atlantic Canada, Midwest (Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota) and Western USA (Utah).

Recently completed research projects include:

1. Process sedimentology and stratigraphy of the Holocene Burdekin River Delta in NE Australia (with co-worker Dr Jan Alexander of the University of East Anglia, UK, and students),
2. Re-evaluation of the stratigraphic record of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age in eastern Australia (with co-worker Dr Tracy Frank of UNL, and students),
3. Applications of ichnology to exploration and reservoir description in the Permian of eastern Australia (with co-workers Dr Kerrie Bann of Ichnofacies Pty Ltd, Calgary and Dr James MacEachern of Simon Fraser University), and
4. Seismic stratigraphy of the Cenozoic record in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica (with co-workers Dr Stuart Henrys of GNS, New Zealand and Dr Terry Wilson of Ohio State University).

Current research endeavors include

• Studies of Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy in the Henry Mountains of south-central Utah
• The Pennsylvanian of mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island
• The Pennsylvanian and Cretaceous of western Nebraska and environs
• The Cenozoic stratigraphy of southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica (via the ANDRILL project).