Paul Bishop and the longue durée of human–environmental relations in SE Asia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Paul Bishop’s contribution to the earth sciences is profound. His work on large spatial and temporal scale landscape evolution is well known, but he also (and coevally) directed his attention to the complexities of human–environmental interactions, with all their site-based and short-term cultural idiosyncrasies. His focus on mainland SE Asia, and Thailand in particular, reflects a long-standing fascination in and affection for the region and its people. His natural inquisitiveness stimulated work in historic climate change, the emergence of complex states, Quaternary landscape evolution and the geochronology of anthropogenically modified sediments, among many other areas. His work on human–environment interactions drew on and strengthened links with many people and institutions, and between Geographical and Earth Sciences and the Scottish Universities Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, in particular. Just as important as his contribution to the earth sciences was his contribution to the development of his students and other mentees, and his role in shaping our careers was enormous.