Professor Chris Kirkland leads the Timescales of Mineral Systems Group based at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. His role applies geochronology (the dating of minerals) to reduce exploration risk and address scientific questions on the duration and frequency of geological processes through deep time. Professor Kirkland’s research has helped our understanding of crust formation and its mineral systems. He is a regular author of journal articles in leading publications including Nature and Earth and Planetary Sciences Letters.