Skip to main content

Staff

Loading content
Dr James Dyke

Dr James Dyke

Associate Professor in Earth System Science

 3330

 Laver Building 801e

 

Laver Building, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter, EX4 4QE, UK

 Office hours:

2022-23

For Term 2 I have two office hour sessions. They are either in-person or on Zoom. Please click here to book a slot. When booking please indicate if you would like to meet in-person in Laver 801e, or on Zoom. Sessions are:

  • Monday 11am-12noon
  • Tuesday 11am-12noon

Overview

James Dyke is an academic, writer, and author. He is an Associate Professor in Earth System Science, and Assistant Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the European Geosciences Union, and serves on the editorial board of the journal Earth System Dynamics. He is the environmental columnist for UK newspaper i, and has written over 100 articles for international publications that includes The Ecologist, The Guardian, The Independent and The Conversation. His book Fire Storm and Flood: the violence of climate change was published in 2021 by Bloomsbury imprint Head of Zeus. James is a regular contributor to UK and international media that includes BBC radio and TV.

Broad research specialisms:

My approach is to conceptualise different systems as (simple) models and explore their behaviour and dynamics through analysis and more often simulation using computational methods.

Keywords: artificial life, biogeography, complex systems, Earth system science, Gaia, sustainability science

Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice 2015
DPhil Informatics 2009
MSc Evolutionary & Adaptive Systems 2005
BA (hons) Philosophy 1995

Career

My doctoral research was conducted in the Centre for Computational Neuroscience & Robotics at the University of Sussex. A very diverse group! I explored Daisyworld which is a simple mathematical model of possible biospheres that regulates surface temperature. Daisyworld was originally intended to develop notions of Gaian homeostasis or planetary self regulation. I've been interested in Gaia Theory ever since.

My postdoctoral research was carried out in the Biospheric Modelling Group at the Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry. I was a research scientist that contributed to a large international astrobiology project. I focussed on looking at how how surface life interacts with various planetary in particular geological processes. I also did some work on biogeography and artificial life.

I took up a lectureship at the Institute of Complex Systems Simulation at the University of Southampton which allowed me to continue my interests in co-evolving system. It's here I began to increase my activities around contemporary sustainability issues. This was initially by developing agent-based models that looked at, for example, small island migration.

I transferred to the School of Geography & Environmental Science and took up a Senior Lecturer position in sustainability science. I led undergraduate sustainability teaching and developed and led a new MSc Sustainability programme. 

In 2018 I moved to then very new Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter in order to help build the institute. I was appointed Assistant Director, leading on education. I developed a new cross-University programme - MSc Global Sustainability Solutions which I continue to lead.

 

 

Research group links

Research

Research interests

Complex systems, Earth system science, Gaia theory, sustainability science.

Research Groups & External Responsibilities:

Member of Earth Systems Science group.
Visiting Fellow of School of Geography & Environment, University of Southampton.

Research projects

Current Projects:
Emergence, persistence and collapse of regulating states in complex ecosystems.
Representing humans in Earth systems models.

Research networks

LOOPS: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Stockholm Resilience Centre.

Links


Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Publications by category


Journal articles

Dyke J (In Press). A productive review process.
Weaver IS, Dyke JG (In Press). Early warning signals in complex ecosystems.  Abstract.
Armstrong McKay DI, Dearing JA, Dyke JG, Poppy GM, Firbank LG (2019). To what extent has sustainable intensification in England been achieved?. Science of the Total Environment, 648, 1560-1569. Abstract.
Dobbie S, Schreckenberg K, Dyke JG, Schaafsma M, Balbi S (2018). Agent-based modelling to assess community food security and sustainable livelihoods. JASSS, 21(1). Abstract.
Dyke J (2018). RC2 review.
Lenton TM, Daines SJ, Dyke JG, Nicholson AE, Wilkinson DM, Williams HTP (2018). Selection for Gaia across Multiple Scales. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 33(8), 633-645. Abstract.
Abram JJ, Dyke JG (2018). Structural Loop Analysis of Complex Ecological Systems. Ecological Economics, 154, 333-342. Abstract.
Dyke J (2017). Author's response to initial round of review.
Donges JF, Winkelmann R, Lucht W, Cornell SE, Dyke JG, Rockström J, Heitzig J, Schellnhuber HJ (2017). Closing the loop: Reconnecting human dynamics to Earth System science. Anthropocene Review, 4(2), 151-157. Abstract.
Speelman LH, Nicholls RJ, Dyke J (2017). Contemporary migration intentions in the Maldives: the role of environmental and other factors. Sustainability Science, 12(3), 433-451. Abstract.
Doncaster CP, Tavoni A, Dyke JG (2017). Using Adaptation Insurance to Incentivize Climate-change Mitigation. Ecological Economics, 135, 246-258. Abstract.
Doncaster CP, Chávez VA, Viguier C, Wang R, Zhang E, Dong X, Dearing JA, Langdon PG, Dyke JG (2016). Early warning of critical transitions in biodiversity from compositional disorder. Ecology, 97(11), 3079-3090. Abstract.
Langdon PG, Dearing J, Dyke J, Wang R (2016). Identifying and anticipating tipping points in lake ecosystems. Past Global Change Magazine, 24(1), 16-17.
Verburg PH, Dearing JA, Dyke JG, Leeuw SVD, Seitzinger S, Steffen W, Syvitski J (2016). Methods and approaches to modelling the Anthropocene. Global Environmental Change, 39, 328-340.
Dearing JA, Wang R, Zhang K, Dyke JG, Haberl H, Hossain MS, Langdon PG, Lenton TM, Raworth K, Brown S, et al (2014). Safe and just operating spaces for regional social-ecological systems. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS, 28, 227-238. Author URL.
Dyke JG, Weaver IS (2013). The Emergence of Environmental Homeostasis in Complex Ecosystems. PLoS Computational Biology, 9(5). Abstract.
Linder PH, Bykova O, Dyke J, Etienne RS, Hickler T, Kühn I, Marion G, Ohlemüller R, Schymanski SJ, Singer A, et al (2012). Biotic modifiers, environmental modulation and species distribution models. Journal of Biogeography, 39(12), 2179-2190. Abstract.
Hartig F, Dyke J, Hickler T, Higgins SI, O’Hara RB, Scheiter S, Huth A (2012). Connecting dynamic vegetation models to data - an inverse perspective. Journal of Biogeography, 39(12), 2240-2252.
Weaver IS, Dyke JG (2012). The importance of timescales for the emergence of environmental self-regulation. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 313, 172-180. Abstract.
Bohn K, Dyke JG, Pavlick R, Reineking B, Reu B, Kleidon A (2011). The relative importance of seed competition, resource competition and perturbations on community structure. Biogeosciences, 8(5), 1107-1120. Abstract.
Reu B, Proulx R, Bohn K, Dyke JG, Kleidon A, Pavlick R, Schmidtlein S (2011). The role of climate and plant functional trade-offs in shaping global biome and biodiversity patterns. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 20(4), 570-581. Abstract.
Dyke JG, Gans F, Kleidon A (2011). Towards understanding how surface life can affect interior geological processes: a non-equilibrium thermodynamics approach. Earth System Dynamics, 2(1), 139-160. Abstract.
Dyke JG, Gans F, Kleidon A (2010). Assessing life's effects on the interior dynamics of planet Earth using non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Earth System Dynamics, 1(1), 191-246. Abstract.
Dyke J, Kleidon A (2010). The maximum entropy production principle: its theoretical foundations and applications to the earth system. Entropy, 12(3), 613-630. Abstract.
Wood AJ, Ackland GJ, Dyke JG, Williams HTP, Lenton TM (2008). Daisyworld: a review. REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS, 46(1). Author URL.
McDonald-Gibson J, Dyke JG, Di Paolo EA, Harvey IR (2008). Environmental regulation can arise under minimal assumptions. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 251(4), 653-666. Abstract.

Chapters

Weaver IS, Dyke JG (2013). A novel approach to analysing fixed points in complex systems. In  (Ed) Springer Proceedings in Complexity, 523-533.  Abstract.
Weaver I, Dyke JG, Oliver K (2013). Can the Principle of Maximum Entropy Production be Used to Predict the Steady States of a Rayleigh-Bérnard Convective System?. In  (Ed) Beyond the Second Law, 277-290.

Conferences

Alonso Chavez V, Doncaster CP, Dearing J, Wang R, Huang J-L, Dyke J (2013). Detecting regime shifts in artificial ecosystems. Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013.
Weaver I, Dyke J (2013). Tipping points in Complex Coupled Life-Environment Systems. Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013.
Dyke J (2010). The daisystat: a model to explore multidimensional homeostasis.  Abstract.
Dyke JG (2008). Entropy production in an energy balance Daisyworld model.  Abstract.
Dyke J, McDonald-Gibson J, Di Paolo E, Harvey I (2007). Increasing complexity can increase stability in a self-regulating ecosystem.  Abstract.
Dyke J, Harvey I (2005). Hysteresis and the limits of homeostasis: from daisyworld to phototaxis.  Abstract.

Publications by year


In Press

Dyke J (In Press). A productive review process.
Weaver IS, Dyke JG (In Press). Early warning signals in complex ecosystems.  Abstract.

2019

McKay DIA, Dyke JG, Doncaster CP, Dearing JA, Wang R (2019). Network-based metrics of resilience and ecological memory in lake ecosystems.
Armstrong McKay DI, Dearing JA, Dyke JG, Poppy GM, Firbank LG (2019). To what extent has sustainable intensification in England been achieved?. Science of the Total Environment, 648, 1560-1569. Abstract.

2018

Dobbie S, Schreckenberg K, Dyke JG, Schaafsma M, Balbi S (2018). Agent-based modelling to assess community food security and sustainable livelihoods. JASSS, 21(1). Abstract.
Dyke J (2018). RC2 review.
Lenton TM, Daines SJ, Dyke JG, Nicholson AE, Wilkinson DM, Williams HTP (2018). Selection for Gaia across Multiple Scales. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 33(8), 633-645. Abstract.
Abram JJ, Dyke JG (2018). Structural Loop Analysis of Complex Ecological Systems. Ecological Economics, 154, 333-342. Abstract.

2017

Dyke J (2017). Author's response to initial round of review.
Donges JF, Winkelmann R, Lucht W, Cornell SE, Dyke JG, Rockström J, Heitzig J, Schellnhuber HJ (2017). Closing the loop: Reconnecting human dynamics to Earth System science. Anthropocene Review, 4(2), 151-157. Abstract.
Speelman LH, Nicholls RJ, Dyke J (2017). Contemporary migration intentions in the Maldives: the role of environmental and other factors. Sustainability Science, 12(3), 433-451. Abstract.
Doncaster CP, Tavoni A, Dyke JG (2017). Using Adaptation Insurance to Incentivize Climate-change Mitigation. Ecological Economics, 135, 246-258. Abstract.

2016

Doncaster CP, Chávez VA, Viguier C, Wang R, Zhang E, Dong X, Dearing JA, Langdon PG, Dyke JG (2016). Early warning of critical transitions in biodiversity from compositional disorder. Ecology, 97(11), 3079-3090. Abstract.
Langdon PG, Dearing J, Dyke J, Wang R (2016). Identifying and anticipating tipping points in lake ecosystems. Past Global Change Magazine, 24(1), 16-17.
Verburg PH, Dearing JA, Dyke JG, Leeuw SVD, Seitzinger S, Steffen W, Syvitski J (2016). Methods and approaches to modelling the Anthropocene. Global Environmental Change, 39, 328-340.

2014

Dearing JA, Wang R, Zhang K, Dyke JG, Haberl H, Hossain MS, Langdon PG, Lenton TM, Raworth K, Brown S, et al (2014). Safe and just operating spaces for regional social-ecological systems. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS, 28, 227-238. Author URL.

2013

Weaver IS, Dyke JG (2013). A novel approach to analysing fixed points in complex systems. In  (Ed) Springer Proceedings in Complexity, 523-533.  Abstract.
Weaver I, Dyke JG, Oliver K (2013). Can the Principle of Maximum Entropy Production be Used to Predict the Steady States of a Rayleigh-Bérnard Convective System?. In  (Ed) Beyond the Second Law, 277-290.
Alonso Chavez V, Doncaster CP, Dearing J, Wang R, Huang J-L, Dyke J (2013). Detecting regime shifts in artificial ecosystems. Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013.
Dyke JG, Weaver IS (2013). The Emergence of Environmental Homeostasis in Complex Ecosystems. PLoS Computational Biology, 9(5). Abstract.
Weaver I, Dyke J (2013). Tipping points in Complex Coupled Life-Environment Systems. Advances in Artificial Life, ECAL 2013.

2012

Linder PH, Bykova O, Dyke J, Etienne RS, Hickler T, Kühn I, Marion G, Ohlemüller R, Schymanski SJ, Singer A, et al (2012). Biotic modifiers, environmental modulation and species distribution models. Journal of Biogeography, 39(12), 2179-2190. Abstract.
Hartig F, Dyke J, Hickler T, Higgins SI, O’Hara RB, Scheiter S, Huth A (2012). Connecting dynamic vegetation models to data - an inverse perspective. Journal of Biogeography, 39(12), 2240-2252.
Weaver IS, Dyke JG (2012). The importance of timescales for the emergence of environmental self-regulation. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 313, 172-180. Abstract.

2011

Bohn K, Dyke JG, Pavlick R, Reineking B, Reu B, Kleidon A (2011). The relative importance of seed competition, resource competition and perturbations on community structure. Biogeosciences, 8(5), 1107-1120. Abstract.
Reu B, Proulx R, Bohn K, Dyke JG, Kleidon A, Pavlick R, Schmidtlein S (2011). The role of climate and plant functional trade-offs in shaping global biome and biodiversity patterns. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 20(4), 570-581. Abstract.
Dyke JG, Gans F, Kleidon A (2011). Towards understanding how surface life can affect interior geological processes: a non-equilibrium thermodynamics approach. Earth System Dynamics, 2(1), 139-160. Abstract.

2010

Dyke JG, Gans F, Kleidon A (2010). Assessing life's effects on the interior dynamics of planet Earth using non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Earth System Dynamics, 1(1), 191-246. Abstract.
Dyke J (2010). The daisystat: a model to explore multidimensional homeostasis.  Abstract.
Dyke J, Kleidon A (2010). The maximum entropy production principle: its theoretical foundations and applications to the earth system. Entropy, 12(3), 613-630. Abstract.

2008

Wood AJ, Ackland GJ, Dyke JG, Williams HTP, Lenton TM (2008). Daisyworld: a review. REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS, 46(1). Author URL.
Dyke JG (2008). Entropy production in an energy balance Daisyworld model.  Abstract.
McDonald-Gibson J, Dyke JG, Di Paolo EA, Harvey IR (2008). Environmental regulation can arise under minimal assumptions. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 251(4), 653-666. Abstract.

2007

Dyke J, McDonald-Gibson J, Di Paolo E, Harvey I (2007). Increasing complexity can increase stability in a self-regulating ecosystem.  Abstract.

2005

Dyke J, Harvey I (2005). Hysteresis and the limits of homeostasis: from daisyworld to phototaxis.  Abstract.

James_Dyke Details from cache as at 2023-03-21 23:06:38

Refresh publications

External Engagement and Impact

Editorial responsibilities

Editor for EGU journal Earth Systems Dynamics.
Review editor for Frontiers of AI and Robotics.
Special edition editor for journal Entropy.


External positions

Fellow of Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Fellow of Higher Education Academy.


Other

Member of EU peer review college.
Member of European Geophysical Union.
Columnist i paper, contributor to Independent, Guardian, The Ecologist, Quartz Magazine, World Politics Daily, and The Conversation.

Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Ruth Buckley Salmon researching meat consumption reduction policies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Alex Stokes Complex adaptive societies and their management of common pool resources.

Alumni

  • Dr Joe Abram 2018 PhD thesis “An Evaluation of Structural Loop Analysis on Dynamic Models of Ecological and Socio-Ecological Systems”.
  • Dr Simon Alderton 2012 PhD thesis “Simulating sleeping sickness: a multi-host agent based model approach”.
  • Dr Iain Weaver 2014 PhD thesis “Macroscopic principles for the self-organisation of complex ecosystems”.

Back | Edit Profile