Research
Fluvial geomorphology, environmental change and environmental management
My major research is on river channel dynamics, particularly at contemporary and historical timescales, examining erosion and deposition processes, mechanisms of meander movement and morphological change, process dynamics and interaction of fluvial processes with vegetation. The research involves aspects of flood dynamics and channel and catchment management. Work in dryland environments is associated with analysis of desertification processes and application of sustainable strategies and methods to combat desertification and land degradation. My research is based on field measurements and use of historical sources and remote sensing, and is being undertaken in both humid and dryland environments. Long-term monitoring of morphological changes and processes is ongoing in NW England and SE Spain. Much of my work involves applied aspects and development of sustainable environmental management strategies using 'working with nature' and integrated landscape approaches. Specially acquired equipment in the Department includes differential GPS, robotic and imaging total station, an acoustic Doppler velocity profiler and digital photogrammetry facilities.
Current research projects include;
Spatial and temporal variability of landscape evolution in the Great Karoo, South Africa (NERC Studentship)
Risk and uncertainties in applying ‘Working with Natural Processes’ approaches to river management (EPSRC/ESRC CDT studentship in the Risk and Uncertainty Institute; partners Environment Agency, Arup)
Research groups
Research grants
Informed mining: risk reduction through enhanced public and institutional risk awareness (IM AWARE)
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2019 - March 2023
Implementing GI approaches to river engineering protection measures
HR WALLINGFORD LTD (UK)
January 2016 - April 2017
Physical and biological dynamic coastal processes and their role in coastal recovery (BLUE-coast)
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2016 - January 2022
The Physical Landscape of Britain
BRITISH SOCIETY FOR GEOMORPHOLOGY (BSG) (UK)
May 2012 - September 2014
The Physical Landscape of Britain and Northern Ireland
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2011 - January 2013
The establishment of a long-term geomorphological monitoring programme in South African river systems with a view to elucidating the response of these systems to environmental change.
BRITISH COUNCIL (UK)
February 2008 - July 2008
Adaptation and Resilience of Coastal Energy Supply (ARCOES)
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2011 - October 2017
Research collaborations
Prof. Donatella Termini
Flow-vegetation interaction in rivers
University of Palermo, Italy
Funded visit to University of Liverpool. Ongoing research.
Dr Jonas Otaviano Praça de Souza
CONNECTIVITY IN DRY LAND RIVERS - FROM HEADWATERS, WETLANDS, SAND-BEDS AND WATER TRANSFER PROJECTS
Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil
Funded international project
Prof Emmanuele Gautier
Morphodynamic functioning and historical changes of the meanders of the River Cher
Sorbonne University, Paris and CNRS
Supervision of PhD of Dr Thomas Depret
Prof Miguel Marchamalo
Connectivity in dryland systems
Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Spain)
Joint research in SE Spain
Dr Thomas Deprét
Sediment mobility in meandering rivers
CNRS, Paris
PhD supervision and joint papers
Prof. Cleide Rodrigues
Modelling urban flooding
University of São Paulo, Brazil
Supervision of PhD and visit by Iury Simas. Ongoing collaboration on anthropic effects on river systems
Dr Paulo Cesar Rocha
Meander dynamics of the Peixe River, Brazil
Sao Paulo State University (unesp), Brazil
Supervision of PhD student , Dr Eduardo Morais
Dr. L.H. (Erik) Cammeraat
Combating Desertification and Land degradation; connectivity approaches
University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
EU funded projects and publications
Dr Elina Kasvi
Controls on long-term meandering river evolution -a global examination
University of Turku, Finland
Funded International Project
Prof Jean Poesen
Combating Desertification and Land Degradation
KU Leuven, Belgium
EU funded projects and publications
Prof Eduardo Morais
Meandering river dynamics
Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Brazil
Visit to Liverpool as research student; joint publications; ongoing research on meandering rivers