The Godwin Laboratory for Palaeoclimate Research

People: Nick Shackleton

Professor Sir Nicholas Shackleton (1937-2006) was a pioneer in the field of Palaeoclimate studies and was the Director of the Godwin Laboratory for many years. The picture on the left is a postage stamp that was released for the Royal Society's 350th anniversary and is a fitting tribute. The link below is an obituary produced by The Royal Society.

Projects: JC089 - A Scientific Voyage

It may have been three years ago but what lasting impressions did the RRS James Cook voyage Leave? Did we get all the data we needed? How has sampling gone and most importantly are we back to normal? See how life aboard a research vessel is by clicking below!

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Perfectly Foramed

These tiny microfossils known collectively as foraminifera are the key to understanding ocean conditions throughout the ages. Once recovered from the sediment we test their composition and build a record of past conditions of the water column. In the Godwin lab a lot of work on forams is carried out in the area affectionately known as 'the picking room'.

History: Former lab site reveals secrets.

The former site of the Godwin Laboratory has been excavated by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit. Although reported in the Cambridge News, you can see their findings on the link below. We may not have skeletons in the closet but they were under the basement!

It's Sedimentary, Dear Watson!

Finding clues to our past is a complex process. Our ocean cores are processed in the Sedimentary Laboratory. Learn more about how our sleuthing scientists extract cores from the ocean floor and how we process them here.

People: Mike Hall

Mike Hall worked closely with Nick Shackleton and helped pioneer many of the techniques we use today. Check out his extensive memoirs on life, the universe and everything (palaeoclimate related) stored at the British Library below.