Most of my research involves using geomorphology left behind by ancient ice sheets and glaciers to reconstruct their former advance and retreat. I use geochronological techniques, in particular cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating, to work out when that ice activity happened. I also look at long-term landscape change, environmental reconstruction and contemporary glacier mass balance.
I study the glacial history of British Columbia, particularly along the coastal margin of the former Cordilleran Ice Sheet. This can help us to understand the drivers of ice sheet change, including climate and sea-level, and the migration routes of early people entering into the Americas.
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In 2017, I worked with a group led by Durham University examining the current and long-term stability of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream.
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I am investigating long-term changes in glaciers, climate and the environment in the Eastern Himalayas in collaboration with PhD student Shashank Nitundil. This project was supported by a Walters Kundert Fellowship from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
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I am investigating recent glacier mass balance changes across the Mediterranean region in collaboration with PhD student Bingdian Wang.
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In 2017, I worked with a team led by Adam Hawkins, PhD student at the University of Northern British Columbia, examining the Holocene history of glaciers in the remote Mackenzie and Selwyn mountain ranges around Nahanni National Park. The research combines glacial geochronology and modelling using the Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) to reconstruct past glacial and climatic change and consider scenarios for the future.
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I have been involved in several projects looking at understanding and improving geomorphological and geochronological techniques.
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This was the topic of my Ph.D. thesis (available by clicking here)
My research investigated the timing of advance and retreat of ancient ice lobes extending eastward from the former Patagonian Ice Sheet. This involved mapping glacial geomorphology in Chile and Argentina and analysing the geomorphology of spectacular erratic boulder trains on Tierra del Fuego. I used a geochronological technique called cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating to work out when ice advanced and retreated in the past, depositing rocks and glacial sediments. I also used my glacial geomorphological mapping to reconstruct the former glacial dynamics for this region and assessed the wider implications for past climate in the southern mid-latitudes.
More recently, I have been involved in a consortium project compiling and reviewing available data for the timing and extent of the former Patagonian Ice Sheet.
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In 2011–15, was involved in a large project studying new sediment cores from the unique Mesolithic archaeological site of Star Carr in Yorkshire, UK. I used sedimentary analysis and oxygen and carbon isotope analyses to reconstruct how the landscape and environment changed over time.
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I am investigating rates of postglacial landscape change on Calvert Island on the west coast of British Columbia Canada. This work stems from our new understanding of the timing of exposure by retreating ice at the end of the last glacial period. I am now using catchment-averaged cosmogenic nuclide data to assess rates of sediment erosion and mobility across the island to help inform our understanding of rates of landscape formation and sediment delivery on this coastal margin.
I have written about the glacial history of North and South America and the Southern Hemisphere during the Mid-Pleistocene, Late Pleistocene and Holocene.
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I am part of a team thinking about fieldwork in Higher Education.
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I am one of the Editors-in-Chief of Geo: Geography and Environment. We publish annual editorials for the journal.
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