Dr Steven Palmer
Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography
S.J.Palmer@exeter.ac.uk
5807
01392 725807
Amory C407
Amory Building, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RJ , UK
Overview
Office hours for Term-2 of 2023/24: Tues 15:30-16:30 and Thursday 13:00-14:00 - Book in here
I use a range of Remote Sensing approaches to make observations of Earth surface processes, with a particular focus on polar and mountain regions.
Broad research specialisms:
- Remote sensing of Earth surface processes
- Glacier hydrology and ice dynamics
- Ice sheet basal conditions
Qualifications
BSc, MSc, PhD, SFHEA, FRGS
Career
Steven studied Earth and Space Science at University College London, where his dissertation, based at Mullard Space Science Laboratory, used X-ray telescope observations to identify Active Galactic Nuclei. He then moved to Cranfield University and gained a MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering, after which he worked as Mission Systems Engineer in the Earth Observation group of EADS Astrium Ltd. Steven then worked briefly at the British Antarctic Survey before embarking on a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, where he used satellite radar measurements to investigate the flow dynamics of Arctic glaciers. Following this, he conducted fieldwork on the Larsen-C ice shelf in Antarctica as part of a project investigating Antarctic peninsula ice shelf instability. Steven then moved to the University of Leeds, where his work aimed to reduce uncertainties in the future contribution of the ice sheets to global sea level change. Before joining the University of Exeter as a lecturer in physical geography, Steven participated in a NERC-funded airborne geophysical survey of Greenland outlet glaciers, during which time he was based at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Steve uses a combination of Remote Sensing techniques to investigate Earth surface processes ranging from dust storms to coastal erosion. His main research focus has been quantifying glacier flow and form changes as they respond to climate forcing. Using airborne ice penetrating radar, Steve has also investigated conditions at the base of the Greenland ice sheet - better understanding of which is key to making more accurate projections of how the ice sheets are likely to change under continued global heating.
Research projects
Grants/Funding:
- NERC ARSF survey of Langjokull Ice Cap, Iceland, summer 2013.
- NERC Grant NE/H020667: Airborne geophysical investigations of basal conditions at flow transitions of outlet glaciers on the Greenland Ice Sheet (PDRA)
- TanDEM-X data grant XTI_GLAC0430: Linking hydrology and dynamics at the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet using surface elevation and velocity change observations.
- NERC Grant NE/M000869/1: Basal Properties of the Greenland Ice Sheet (CoI)
Research networks
Steve co-leads the Remote Sensing theme of Exeter's Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI)
Links
Publications
Journal articles
Chapters
Conferences
External Engagement and Impact
Committee/panel activities
Member of the English Riveria Educaion Strategy Board
External positions
Visiting researcher at University of Sussex (2017)
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science fellow, Hokkaido University (2022)
Teaching
Steven is an Exeter Education Incubator Fellow and leads the InVEnTA project: Interactive Virtual Environments for Teaching and Assessment, which won the Times Higher Education Innovation award 2020.In 2022 Steve was confirmed as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Modules
2023/24
- GEO2232 - The Cryosphere
- GEO2321 - Introduction to Remote Sensing
- GEOM180 - Environmental Remote Sensing
Supervision / Group
Postgraduate researchers
- Sarah Albaqami jointly supervised by Dr Jeroen Meersmans
- Hannah Barnett
- Oliver Bartlett
- Cristina Corti
- Ellie Fox
- Charlotte Pearson
- Jack Stephens
Office Hours:
Office hours for Term-2 of 2023/24: Tues 15:30-16:30 and Thursday 13:00-14:00 - Book in here