Prof. Mateusz C Strzelecki is a faculty member at the Institute of Geography , Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw , where he conducts research in coastal and polar geomorphology. His work focuses on landscape changes driven by glacial retreat and climate change, particularly in the Arctic regions such as Svalbard. His research interests include: Coastal Geomorphology Paraglacial Processes Glacial Retreat and Landscape Evolution Arctic Environmental Change Extreme Events in Polar Regions Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Systems Recent publications highlight his involvement in studying newly emerging coasts from retreating glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere, evolution of lagoon systems post-Little Ice Age, and responses of Arctic coasts to extreme events. His work often appears in high-profile journals and at major geoscience conferences like EGU. He collaborates extensively with international researchers from institutions in Norway, Canada, and South Africa, indicating a strong global scientific network. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Prof. Strzelecki is actively involved in research projects related to climate-driven geomorphological changes. Although no specific grants or advising roles are mentioned, his leading authorship and collaboration patterns suggest active mentorship and project leadership. He is a key contributor to understanding the transformation of polar coasts in a warming world.
Dr. Jana Eichel is an Assistant Professor in Biogeomorphology at the Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University. She specializes in understanding feedbacks between Earth surface processes and plant dynamics, particularly in mountain and polar regions undergoing rapid climate change. Her work integrates field observations, remote sensing, and modeling to study landscape evolution across scales. Education: PhD in Geomorphology (2016), University of Bonn MSc in Geography (2011), University of Bonn/Aberdeen Research Interests: Her research focuses on biogeomorphic feedbacks in alpine and polar environments, including vegetation-geomorphic interactions, solifluction dynamics, and climate change impacts. She combines UAV imagery, machine learning, and experimental methods to analyze landscape resilience and ecosystem adaptation. Grants & Projects: Lead of NWO-Veni project “Go or grow?” (2022–2026) German Research Foundation (DFG) project on Chilean biogeomorphic feedbacks (2019–2023) Awards: EGU Geomorphology Division Early Career Award (2024) German Society for Geomorphology PostDoc Award (2023) Hanna Bremer Award (2017) Labs/Teams: She leads the Mountain Biogeomorphology Lab at Utrecht University, collaborating with global institutions on projects combining fieldwork and advanced geospatial technologies.
Dr. Alastair Curry is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at the University of Hertfordshire, affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography within the School of Life and Medical Sciences. His research focuses on paraglacial, periglacial, and glacial geomorphology; Holocene landscape evolution; and Quaternary environmental change in upland Britain, the European Alps, and Norway. Geography, BA Hons (University of Oxford, 1995) Physical Geography, PhD (University of St Andrews, 1998) Learning & Teaching in Higher Education, Postgraduate Certificate (University of Hertfordshire, 2000) Biblical and Intercultural Studies, Certificate of Higher Education (The Open University, 2005) His work examines paraglacial reworking of glacigenic drift, debris flow sedimentology, and Schmidt hammer exposure dating. Recent projects explore Holocene slope evolution in Wales, paraglacial moraine stabilization in the Swiss Alps, and postglacial rock-slope failures in Norway. He has also contributed to Khmer-language geomorphological translations for Cambodian universities. Current roles include Joint Subject Group Lead for Geography, Environment and Planning (since 2020). Teaching specialisms span Geomorphology, Quaternary Science, Physical Geography, and Research Methods. Email: a.curry4@herts.ac.uk .
Associate Professor Brian Anderson is a glaciologist at the Antarctic Research Centre , Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He specializes in glacier dynamics, mass balance, and climate-glacier interactions using mathematical modeling. BSc(Hons) and PhD in Geology from University of Canterbury Supervises PhD and Masters students in Antarctic and Southern Alps glacier studies Active in climate change research, leading grants from 2011–2025 His research interests span: Glacier modeling under past/future climate scenarios Snow property analysis on Antarctic landfast ice Impact of debris cover and lake calving on ablation Holocene climate reconstruction from glacier records Paleoclimatology of subantarctic islands Sea level rise projections from land ice loss Recent publication trends (2018–2025) show focus on: Antarctic ice sheet response to warming Extreme glacier mass loss attribution Paraglacial sediment dynamics 2D glacier modeling for paleoclimate Equilibrium line altitude (ELA) analysis High-resolution snow/ice core studies Notable collaborations: A. Mackintosh, H. Purdie, R. Dadic, J. Oerlemans
Dr. Anja Dufresne is a Professor and Chair of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology at RWTH Aachen University, where she has served as Senior Scientist since 2016 and Deputy Head of Department since 2018. She leads research on landslides, rock avalanches, and related geological hazards, with a particular focus on sedimentology, runout dynamics, and worldwide distribution patterns. Dr. Dufresne received her BSc in Geosciences from Göttingen University (1999-2002), followed by an MSc in Geosciences from the University of Massachusetts (2003-2005), and completed her PhD in Geosciences at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand (2006-2009). Prior to her current position, she worked as a Scientific Associate and Lecturer at Universität Freiburg (2010-2016) and held visiting positions in Canada and New Zealand. Her research focuses on the sedimentology, runout dynamics, and worldwide distribution of large rock avalanches, with recent emphasis on landslide projects in periglacial environments. She has established comprehensive worldwide databases on rock avalanches, landslide dams, and volcanic debris avalanches through international collaborations. Dr. Dufresne's work centers on building evidence bases for testing assumptions in landslide science and developing practical applications for hazard assessment and mitigation. Analysis of Dr. Dufresne's recent publications reveals a strong focus on landslide dams, periglacial environments, and volcanic debris avalanches. Her work spans field investigations, database development, and experimental modeling, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on landslide hazards. Geographic focus areas include the European Alps, Alaska, Peru, and the Carpathian Mountains, demonstrating her global research perspective. Among her professional recognitions, Dr. Dufresne received the Kármán Fellowship from RWTH Aachen University in 2017 for her work on 'Landslides in Times of Climate Change.' She actively serves the scientific community through memberships in the Bund Deutscher Geowissenschaftler (BDG), European Geosciences Union (EGU), and German Quaternary Association (DEUQUA), and provides review services for numerous scientific journals and funding agencies. Dr. Dufresne has supervised 41 MSc theses and 23 BSc theses since 2012, demonstrating her commitment to student mentorship. She currently leads the 'Landslide Dam Properties and Stability (LADY)' project (2023-2026) funded by DFG as Principal Investigator, and participates in multiple international collaborations including projects in the NW Pacific Coastal Mountains and Alaska. Her teaching portfolio includes 'Research Ethics and Science Communication,' 'Landslides and Rockslope Analysis,' and 'Introduction to GSI.' Dr. Dufresne leads a research team focused on engineering geology and hydrogeology at RWTH Aachen University. Her laboratory work includes physical modeling of debris flows and rock avalanches, and she collaborates with international partners across Europe, North America, and Asia. Current fieldwork focuses on monitoring unstable rock slopes in permafrost environments and studying landslide-tsunami interactions in coastal fjords.
Tristram Irvine-Fynn is a Reader in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University , where he conducts research in process glaciology and hydrology, particularly in the High-Arctic. He is affiliated with the Centre for Glaciology (CfG) , Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental Microbiology (iCEM) , and the Climate Change Consortium of Wales (C3W) . His research focuses on: Glacier thermal regime and hydrology Supraglacial processes and ecology Development of methods in glaciology Paraglacial dynamics in Arctic catchments His recent publications (2022–2024) explore microbial habitats in weathering crusts, albedo dynamics on the Greenland Ice Sheet, englacial conduit evolution, cryoconite microbiomes, and photogrammetric analysis of ice surface roughness. These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach combining glaciology, microbiology, remote sensing, and hydrology. He has led multiple externally funded research projects from NERC, Leverhulme Trust, and Royal Society, focusing on glacier surface processes, microbial transport, and climate feedbacks. While no formal scientific awards are listed, his research has received significant media attention, particularly on the release of ancient microbes from melting glaciers. He contributes to teaching in physical geography and has supervised postgraduate researchers. He is also active in academic service, serving on editorial boards and peer-review panels, including for Progress in Physical Geography and UKRI-NERC . He maintains an active research presence with collaborations across the UK, Norway, Canada, and Japan, and has upcoming invited talks at Chiba University in 2025.
Dr Jean-Luc Schwenninger serves as a Research Fellow at the Research Laboratory for Archaeology & the History of Art (RLAHA) within the School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford. He has directed the RLAHA luminescence dating laboratory since 2003 and provides commercial dating services to external institutions and private clients. His academic background includes a PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London (1997), an MSc from Bangor University (1988), and a BA from the University of Sheffield (1986). Dr Schwenninger specializes in thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating for archaeological contexts, with geographic focus spanning Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America . His research extends dating capabilities to the Early Stone Age through techniques like infrared-radiofluorescence (IR-RF) and spatially resolved luminescence. Current work emphasizes methodological innovation for dating unconventional samples and improving environmental dose rate assessment. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals concentrated efforts on refining chronologies for Neanderthal-modern human transitions, Saharan paleoenvironments, and Mediterranean island evolution. His work consistently integrates luminescence dating with complementary techniques across diverse geographic regions, particularly advancing Middle to Upper Palaeolithic chronologies in Europe and Africa. He has supervised 4 doctoral students (including Amber Hood and Laine Clark-Balzan) and 8 master's students. Major funded projects include ERC PalaeoChron (2014-2019), ERC Palaeodeserts (2013-2018), and multiple NERC grants investigating human responses to climate change and Mediterranean island evolution. Current initiatives involve CERN's Medipix4 collaboration for radiation detector development. Dr Schwenninger directs Oxford's luminescence dating laboratory, operating state-of-the-art equipment for archaeological samples and museum artifacts. The lab supports both academic research through ERC/NERC projects and commercial dating services, with recent focus on extending dating ranges to Early Stone Age contexts using IR-RF instrumentation.
Brent Ward is a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University and serves as Co-director of the Centre for Natural Hazards Research. His academic career is deeply rooted in Quaternary geology with a focus on understanding glacial history and paleoenvironmental changes in western North America. Ward received his B.Sc. (Hons.) in 1986 and Ph.D. in 1993, both from the University of Alberta. His educational background provided the foundation for his specialization in field-based Quaternary geology. Dr. Ward is a classical, field-based Quaternary geologist whose research interests span sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleoenvironmental reconstructions, surficial mapping, drift prospecting, and landslides. His current research primarily focuses on resolving aspects of the stratigraphy of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet and associated paleoenvironmental reconstructions. This interdisciplinary work requires collaborations with researchers across various fields and combines stratigraphic studies with plant and insect macrofossil and palynological analysis to reconstruct paleoenvironments and paleoclimate. A particularly innovative aspect of his research involves work on raised sea caves—the only such work being done in North America—which provides direct information to solve questions of glacial history and past fauna and climate. His research has significant implications for understanding potential human coastal migrations during the Late Wisconsinan period. Analysis of Ward's recent publications reveals a strong focus on Cordilleran Ice Sheet history, landslide mechanics, and glacial sedimentology. His work bridges traditional field geology with modern analytical techniques including cosmogenic nuclide dating, LiDAR analysis, and geospatial modeling. The research spans multiple geographic areas including British Columbia, Yukon, and the Canadian Arctic, addressing both fundamental scientific questions and practical applications in mineral exploration and hazard assessment. The Westerman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Geoscience EGBC (2023) APEG Fellowship APEGBC (2013) Engineers Canada Fellowship Engineers Canada (2009) Victor Milligan Paper Award Canadian Geotechnical Society (2010) Barlow Memorial Medal Canadian Institute for Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (2009) Ward actively supervises graduate students, with recent projects examining the glacial history of the Ruby Range in southwest Yukon and the effects of deglacial meltwater processes on kimberlite indicator mineral concentrations. His research has secured significant funding for field investigations and laboratory analyses, supporting both fundamental research and practical applications in natural hazard assessment and mineral exploration. He has developed strong collaborative relationships with government geological surveys, industry partners, and international research teams. As Co-director of the Centre for Natural Hazards Research, Ward leads interdisciplinary teams investigating geological hazards including landslides, glacial lake outburst floods, and seismic risks. His work integrates field observations with numerical modeling to improve hazard assessment and risk management in mountainous terrain. The Centre maintains strong connections with emergency management agencies and industry partners to ensure research findings translate into practical risk reduction strategies.
Dr. Daniel Draebing is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Geography at Utrecht University, Netherlands. His research focuses on geomorphic processes shaping Earth's surface, with emphasis on alpine environments, climate-driven erosion, and permafrost dynamics. He holds a PhD from the University of Bonn (2014) and has held academic roles at institutions like the Technical University of Munich and the University of Bayreuth. Affiliations: Utrecht University (Faculty of Geosciences), Department of Physical Geography Education: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Geosciences from University of Bonn (2014), MSc (Diploma) in Geosciences from University of Bonn (2009) Research Interests His work spans paraglacial and periglacial processes , including frost weathering, rockwall erosion, and climate impacts on alpine landscapes. He employs field observations, lab experiments, and modeling to investigate: Erosion patterns linked to deglaciation and warming climates Rock mechanics and fracture kinematics in permafrost-affected environments Vegetation-geomorphic feedbacks in glacier forelands Key Research Contributions Recent work highlights elevation-dependent climate influences on alpine rock erosion and the role of frost cracking in rockwall degradation. His studies integrate geophysics, geomorphology, and climate science to address mountain landscape stability. Awards & Grants 2022 German Society for Geomorphology Post-Doc Award 2020 German Research Foundation Grant (506k€) 2016 VENI-equivalent grant (360k€) Teaching & Academic Contributions Lecturer for courses on geomorphology, hazards, and land degradation. Coordinates the Land Degradation module and contributes to fieldwork training programs.
Christian Zangerl is a Professor of Sustainable Georesources and Applied Geology at the Institute of Applied Geology , Department of Structural Engineering and Natural Hazards , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). His research focuses on gravitational mass movements, rock mechanics, hydrogeology, and hydromechanically coupled processes. Education : Earth Sciences (Petrology & Mineralogy), University of Innsbruck (1990–1997); Doctorate, ETH Zurich (1998–2003) Career : Faculty at BOKU since 2014; Senior Researcher at alpS Center for Natural Hazards (2003–2013) Research Interests : He investigates deep-seated rock slides, climate change impacts on alpine mass movements, numerical modeling of slope stability, and monitoring techniques like InSAR and drone photogrammetry. His work addresses infrastructure risks from geological hazards. Projects : Recent projects include 3D displacement vector calculation of rockslides , Natural hazard mitigation and engineering geology , and MEZG-Rindbach (hydrogeological characterization of alpine catchments). Funders include FFG, national ministries, and private companies. Lectures : He has delivered over 100 lectures globally, including keynotes at EGU, IAEG, and World Landslide Forum. Topics span rock slope stability, glacier retreat impacts, and policy implications. Media Contributions : Featured in ORF III, ZIB 1, and local press for landslide research, including the Fluchthorn rockfall (2023) and Steinlehnen rockslide (2021).
Gabriel Wolken is a Researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' International Arctic Research Center, specializing in climate hazards , glacier dynamics , and snow-related geohazards . His work focuses on landslide-generated tsunamis, avalanche modeling, and integrating citizen science into snow distribution mapping. He leads projects like Community Snow Observations and contributes to Arctic Report Card assessments. Key Expertise : Climate hazards, Glaciers, Snow, Landslide monitoring Current Projects : Barry Arm landslide-tsunami warning systems, Community Snow Observations dataset His research spans geohazard modeling , climate adaptation , and glacier retreat impacts , with applications in wildlife ecology and coastal hazard mitigation. Google Scholar shows 15 recent articles focused on Alaska's paraglacial processes, citizen science data integration, and Arctic climate synthesis. Wolken's publications emphasize multi-sensor monitoring (LiDAR, UAVs, field surveys), avalanche-wildlife interactions , and predictive modeling for climate-linked hazards. His work bridges glaciology, geohazard assessment, and participatory science frameworks.
Rosa Blanca Gonzalez Gutierrez is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of León's Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, where she leads research in the GEOPAT (Geomorphology, Landscape and Territory) group. Her work focuses on the physical geography of Spain's Cantabrian Mountains, particularly in León province, integrating field studies with advanced dating techniques to reconstruct landscape evolution. Education: PhD in Geology from the University of León (2001) with thesis: 'Geomorphological Study of the Central Mountain of León, the Torío and Curueño Valleys', supervised by Dr. José María Redondo Vega. Research Focus: Professor Gonzalez Gutierrez specializes in glacial and periglacial geomorphology , with expertise in rock glaciers, glacial lakes, and Schmidt-hammer dating techniques. Her research bridges Quaternary science and anthropogenic landscape impacts , particularly examining Roman mining legacies and modern mining effects in northwest Spain. She employs interdisciplinary methods including sediment analysis, thermal monitoring, and remote sensing to address climate change impacts on mountain environments. Publication Trends: Her recent work (2022-2024) demonstrates three dominant themes: (1) reconstructing deglaciation chronologies in Iberian ranges using innovative dating methods, (2) analyzing mining-induced landscape transformations across historical timescales, and (3) investigating cryospheric processes in mid-latitude mountains. This reflects a strategic shift toward integrating paleoenvironmental data with contemporary environmental challenges in mountain systems. Scientific Awards: No awards are documented in available sources. Advising and Grants: While specific grant details are unlisted, her extensive publication record indicates leadership in nationally funded research projects. Her supervision of doctoral theses (including the 2001 PhD under Dr. Redondo Vega) and master's research suggests active mentorship, though current advisees aren't specified. Collaborative patterns show strong national partnerships with Spanish institutions and emerging international work in Portugal and Argentina. Research Infrastructure: As a core member of the GEOPAT group, she utilizes field laboratories across the Cantabrian Mountains for geomorphological mapping, sediment coring, and thermal monitoring. Her team maintains specialized equipment for Schmidt-hammer dating and collaborates with the University of León's environmental analysis facilities for geochemical testing of mine-impacted waters and sediments.
Dr. Toby Tonkin is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of Northampton, School of Science. He specializes in geomorphology, glaciology, and remote sensing, with extensive fieldwork experience in high-mountain, subarctic, and arctic environments. Education: BSc (Hons) in Geography, Nottingham Trent University (2011) Postgraduate studies in Global Environmental Change, King’s College London (2012) Doctoral studies, Nottingham Trent University (Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship) PGCert in Higher Education, University of Derby (2017) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Career History: Hourly Paid Lecturer & Research Assistant, Nottingham Trent University (2013-2016) Lecturer in Physical Geography, University of Derby (2016-2021) Senior Lecturer, University of Northampton (2021-present) Teaching areas: Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Geohazards, and Geomorphology. Research Interests: Toby's research focuses on glacial landforms, examining their internal structure, formation during deglaciation, and palaeoclimatic significance. Key methodologies include UAV-based surveys, Schmidt Hammer dating, and computer-vision techniques for historical glacier reconstruction. His work contributes to understanding glacial transitions in the British Isles and Arctic regions. Publication Focus: Recent articles emphasize glacial landform evolution, dating techniques, and educational practices in geography. Research demonstrates consistent themes in paraglacial processes, remote sensing applications, and Quaternary environmental change across Alpine, Scottish, and Scandinavian contexts. Awards & Recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, Nottingham Trent University Projects & Grants: Funded by EU-INTERACT, Quaternary Research Association, and British Society for Geomorphology. Current projects include: Connecting the Active Quarter (Co-Investigator, 2024-2025) Ecological status of Broadwater SSSI (Co-Investigator, 2024) Brackmills Industrial Estate Green Corridor mapping (Co-Investigator, 2022) Advising: Actively accepting PhD students in environmental science and geomorphology.
Dr. Franziska Glüer is a Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich's Swiss Seismological Service (SED) within the Earthquake Hazard & Risk Assessment Section. She holds a PhD from ETH Zurich's Department of Earth Sciences (2013-2018) and has postdoctoral experience (2018-2021). Her research focuses on seismic hazards, landslides, and glacial-terrain interactions, with expertise in rock slope mechanics and engineering seismology. Education: BSc in Earth Science (2005-2008): Technical University Munich & LMU Munich MSc in Engineering Geology (2008-2011): Technical University Munich PhD in Engineering Geology (2013-2018): ETH Zurich Research Interests: Franziska investigates the interplay between glacial retreat and rock slope stability, seismic hazard assessment, and landslide dynamics. Her work combines field monitoring, numerical modeling, and geophysical techniques to understand paraglacial processes and infrastructure safety in alpine environments. Professional Experience: Senior Researcher, ETH Zurich SED (2021–present) Postdoc, ETH Zurich SED (2018–2021) Industry roles: Engineering Geologist and Project Engineer (2012–2013) Labs/Teams: Active member of the Swiss Seismological Service and the Institute of Geophysics, contributing to multidisciplinary projects on natural hazards and alpine geomechanics.
Christian Ambrosi is a Full Professor of Applied Geology at the Institute of Earth Sciences (IST) within the Department of Environment Constructions and Design (DACD) at SUPSI. He leads the geology department and teaches courses in applied geology, geotechnics, and civil engineering. His research focuses on landslide analysis, natural hazards, and paraglacial processes in mountainous regions. He has coordinated major projects such as MIARIA, advancing adaptive hydrogeological monitoring and risk assessment in transboundary areas like the Canaria Valley and Ticino region. Ambrosi has extensive experience in geological surveys, including contributions to the Swiss Geological Atlas and Quaternary mapping projects. Education: He holds a degree in Geological Sciences from the University of Milan and a PhD in landslide analysis and modeling from the University of Milan-Bicocca. He also completed a SUPSI certificate in teaching. Professional experience includes roles at the University of Milan and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, with a focus on applied geology and engineering. Research interests include landslide dynamics, permafrost studies, and the integration of geotechnical monitoring (e.g., DMS systems) with numerical modeling for risk prediction. His work bridges field observations, remote sensing (InSAR, LiDAR), and computational tools to assess slope stability and disaster scenarios. Notable projects include the Cadegliano-Viconago landslide monitoring and the Ticino landslide inventory map. Grants and projects include Interreg IIIA, Swiss National Map initiatives, and collaborations with cantonal departments. He is actively involved in cross-border risk governance, geocultural education, and sustainable use of quarry waste. His memberships in Swiss geological and geotechnical societies reflect his disciplinary engagement.
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