Chris is a metamorphic geologist and geochronologist, his research integrates techniques and data from the fields of geochemistry, geochronology, structural geology and tectonics. He received a BSc (Hons) degree from the University of Adelaide in 2001, and completed his PhD in 2006, also at Adelaide. Chris joined Curtin in 2007 to undertake a Curtin Research Fellowship. He was subsequently awarded Australian Research Council DECRA and another Curtin University Research Fellowship that ran until 2017. From 2018-2023 he was a teaching and research professor teaching courses on tectonics, metamorphic geology and field geology. In late 2022 he was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship which begins in June 2023 where he will work on the role that Supercontinent formation plays in driving extreme metamorphic events.
Chris’ research interests are high–T and ultrahigh–T metamorphism; fluid flow in mid-crustal rocks; the P–T–t–d evolution and tectonics of metamorphic belts, and the application of petrology to understanding orogenic evolution; and, secular change and styles of tectonics and metamorphism. His research utilizes a range of analytical and modeling techniques, and is built on observations made in the field. Chris has active research interests in the Neoproterozoic Southern Granulite Terrane in India (HP and UHT granulite facies metamorphism), the Albany Fraser Orogen in southwestern Australia (polyphase metamorphism and crustal anatexis), Enderby Land (Antarctica), the Bunger Hills (Antarctica), Rogaland (Norway), the Eastern Ghats Belt (India) (HT-UHT metamorphism) and the Western Gneiss Complex and the Bergen Arcs in Norway (HP metamorphism and fluid rock interaction).