TJ Young

TJ Young is a Lecturer in Physical Geography at the School of Geography & Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, where he joined in April 2023. He is affiliated with the Bell-Edwards Geographic Data Institute and the Environmental Change Research Group. Previously, he spent about a decade at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.

• PhD, University of Cambridge (2017)
• MPhil, University of Cambridge (2013)
• BSc, Duke University (2012)

His research centers on geophysical glaciology, particularly the use of radar and other geophysical techniques to study ice sheet dynamics, subglacial hydrology, and ice fabric. He also investigates sustainable urban water resilience in Dundee City in collaboration with Scottish Water and Abertay University. His work integrates field observations with modeling to understand ice sheet stability under climate change.

His recent publications focus on basal melting in Greenland, ice fabric at Thwaites Glacier, temperature sensing in outlet glaciers, and radar-based imaging of glacier internal structures. These works reflect a strong trend in combining innovative sensing technologies with polar fieldwork to address pressing questions about ice sheet behavior.

TJ Young is actively involved in major international research initiatives, including the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, where he co-leads the TIME project. He also contributes to projects on subglacial groundwater, Antarctic ice shelves, and Greenland ice dynamics.

• Co-leader, Thwaites Interdisciplinary Margin Evolution (TIME) Project
• Principal Investigator, IGIS Project (NERC)
• External Collaborator, AEGIR, RAICA, SLIDE, REASSESS, and other international projects

He supervises postgraduate research students and teaches undergraduate courses such as Remote Sensing, Geography: Exploring the Discipline, and Coordinating a Humanitarian Response. He is also an emergency geospatial responder with MapAction, supporting disaster response through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).