Biography
Dr Robin Beaman
My role as a marine geologist and ocean mapping scientist is to reveal Australia’s underwater landscape. Ocean mapping helps to improve understanding of the geological origin of the seafloor, and explain the distribution of seabed habitats and marine life.
My research goal is to understand the long-term geological and physical processes that have influenced key geomorphic features of the seabed, particularly for the deep Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.
Research projects range from submarine canyons, underwater landslides, submerged reefs, paleo-channels, algal bioherms, cold-water corals, mesophotic (twilight) coral ecosystems, seamounts and habitat mapping.
These projects use GIS, multibeam and singlebeam echo sounders, lidar, sidescan sonar, sub-bottom profilers, photogrammetry, underwater camera imagery, satellite imagery and sediment sampling techniques.
I want to share with you the excitement of scientific discovery in the ocean, and help to promote a more ocean-aware community through this website. Please contact me directly if you want more information about our research projects.
Rob’s Blog
Recent ocean mapping events within Australia’s marine region.
RV Investigator Tasman Sea mapping
From 16 to 22 July 2026, I led a seabed mapping voyage aboard CSIRO's research vessel RV Investigator, conducting multibeam bathymetric surveys during a transit from Hobart to Brisbane across approximately 2,200 km of the Tasman Sea. The mapping team brought together...
Australasian Hydrographic Society Award of Merit
I am deeply honoured to have received the Australasian Hydrographic Society Award of Merit - Career Achievement, Achievement in Hydrography, presented at the World Hydrography Day Conference in Wollongong, Australia, on 18 June 2026. The award citation states: "Rob...
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
I am incredibly honoured to be appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in The King's 2026 Honours List, for significant service to marine geology, ocean mapping, and geomorphology. The Chair of the Council for the Order of Australia spoke of recipients going...