Rate My Professor Stephen McCabe

Dr. Stephen McCabe is a distinguished geomorphologist and senior innovation executive at Queen's University Belfast. He completed his PhD in Environmental Science, specializing in geomorphology, at the School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (GAP) in 2007, having previously earned an undergraduate degree in Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology from the same school between 1999 and 2003. His doctoral and postdoctoral research (2007-2014) focused on the weathering processes affecting stone-built heritage, examining factors such as salt crystallization, fire damage, biological colonization, and moisture dynamics in sandstone under temperate climatic conditions.

McCabe's research interests encompass process geomorphology, stone heritage conservation, stone decay and conservation, climate change impacts on built environments, and environmental policy. He has produced impactful publications including 'Understanding the decay of stone-built cultural heritage' (Smith, Gomez-Heras, McCabe, 2008, Progress in Physical Geography), 'Algal ‘greening’ and the conservation of stone heritage structures' (Cutler et al., 2013, Science of the Total Environment), 'Impacts of fire on stone-built heritage: an overview' (Gomez-Heras, McCabe, Smith, Fort, 2009, Journal of Architectural Conservation), 'A commentary on climate change, stone decay dynamics and the ‘greening’ of natural stone buildings' (Smith et al., 2011, Environmental Earth Sciences), and 'Exploitation of inherited weakness in fire-damaged building sandstone' (McCabe, Smith, Warke, 2010, Engineering Geology). These works have advanced comprehension of material-environment interactions, providing critical insights for heritage preservation strategies amid anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Transitioning from Visiting Research Fellow (2014-2016) and Impact Officer (2016-2019), McCabe advanced to Business Alliance Manager (2019-2021) and Head of Project Delivery for Momentum One Zero (2021-2024). He now serves as Executive Director of Momentum One Zero, a £70 million innovation centre under the Belfast Region City Deal, driving advancements in digital manufacturing and technology translation.