Dr Nicky Wright

Dr Nicky Wright is a scientist who reconstructs what the surface elevation of Earth—from the tops of the mountains to the deepest parts of the ocean—looked like many millions of years ago. These reconstructions are important for exploring how climate changed in the deep past, as well as improving our understanding on the formation of critical minerals we need for renewable technologies and a net zero future.

Nicky received her PhD from the University of Sydney in 2018, where her research explored changes in plate tectonics, past ocean circulation, and long-term sea level. Following this, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the Australian National University and investigated changes in climate variability over the past 1000 years. She has since returned to the University of Sydney to uncover how Earth’s geography has changed since the Palaeozoic, where she works with a variety of geoscientists, climate scientists, and experts in industry.

Nicky is interested in what drives changes in Earth's past climate across different timescales. She is passionate about promoting geosciences and STEM to the wider community, including how science is essential for transitioning to a sustainable future.