Geography

Dr Damien Mansell

Dr Damien Mansell

Associate Professor of Geographical Information Science

 D.T.Mansell@exeter.ac.uk

 2626

 Amory C253c

 

Amory Building, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RJ , UK

Overview

Damien is an Associate Profesor of GIS. He is programme director of UG BSc Geography with Applied GIS an  innovative degree pathway he proposed and designed and programme director and developer of PGT MSc Geographical Infomration Science,

Damien is passionate about teaching and the use of GIS to understand spatial data, patterns and trends. In 2020 he became a Principal Fellow of The Higher Education Academy. He has won awards for his work on developing teaching tools and innovative applications of technology for web mapping, immersive interactive environments and educational videos.

Before coming to Exeter, Damien gained a first class B.Sc Geography degree at the University of Sheffield (2004-2007) and went on to research for a PhD at Swansea University entitled ‘Controls on the calving rate of North-West Svalbard glaciers’. Insights from iceberg formation were understood from satellite images to investigate the nature and timing of relationships between how fast the glaciers are flowing, meltwater and sea-ice cover.

As a glaciologist Damien has field experience in Greenland, Svalbard and Iceland.

For roles, responsibilities and pedagogic activity in education please see the Teaching Tab

Broad research specialisms:

Ice-ocean interactions, calving processes, glacier dynamics, sea-ice extent, glacier surges, remote sensing applications.

Pedagogies of GIS learning and assessment particularly related to story maps, mapping visualisations and immersive environments.

Qualifications

PhD Glaciology, (Swansea University)

BSc Geography, (The University of Sheffield)

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, (The University of Exeter)

Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Links

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Research

Research interests

My principal research interests include the calving processes of tidewater-terminating glaciers, glacier surges, cryosphere instabilities and remote sensing for glaciological applications. During my PhD at Swansea University I utilized satellite imagery to measure surface velocities, ice-front positions, meltwater availability and sea-ice concentration for glaciers in North-West Svalbard. I have developed remote sensing techniques in the automatic detection of ice-fronts form Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), as well as utilizing SAR backscatter characteristics to measure the timings and magnitude proxy for meltwater availability over the surface layers of Svalbard glaciers and ice-caps.

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Publications

Journal articles

Taylor LS, Quincey DJ, Smith MW, Baumhoer CA, McMillan M, Mansell DT (2021). Remote sensing of the mountain cryosphere: Current capabilities and future opportunities for research. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT, 45(6), 931-964.  Author URL.
Treves R, Mansell D, France D (2020). Student authored atlas tours (story maps) as geography assignments. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 45(2), 279-297.
Mansell DT, Palmer S, Le Brocq A (2019). Subglacial controls on dynamic thinning at Trinity-Wykeham Glacier, Prince of Wales Ice Field, Canadian Arctic. International Journal of Remote Sensing
Mansell DT, Luckman A, Murray T (2012). Dynamics of tidewater surge-type glaciers in northwest Svalbard. Journal of Glaciology, 58, 110-118. Abstract.
Bigg GR, Wise SM, Hanna E, Mansell DT, Bryant RG, Howarda A (2012). Synoptic climatology of cold air drainage in the Derwent Valley, Peak District,UK. Meteorological Applications Abstract.  Author URL.

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Teaching

Roles & responsibilities in education:

Pedagogic Activities

Awards & Qualifications

  • Times Higher Education Award: Technological or Digital Innovation of the year 2020
  • Learning On Screen Sustainability Award: Climate Change Solutions, 2019
  • Runner Up: Learning On Screen Online Education Resource Award: Climate Change: The Solutions 2019
  • Runner Up: Learning On Screen Online Education Resource Award: Climate Change: The Science 2018
  • Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, 2017
  • Jack Dangermond Young Scholar Award, 2017
  • Esri UK Customer Success Award, Community Engagement, 2017
  • Runner Up: Innovative Teaching Award, The University of Exeter Students’ Guild, 2017
  • Shortlisted: Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards, 2016 - Climate Change Challenges & solutions, MOOC for Digital Content
  • Runner Up: Esri UK Customer Success Award, Tell Your Story Using a Map, 2016
  • Innovative Teaching Award, The University of Exeter Students’ Guild, 2015
  • Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, PR064882, 2014
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, The University of Exeter, 2013
  • PhD, Remote Sensing in Glaciology, Swansea University, 2011
  • BSc (Hons) First Class, The University of Sheffield, 2007
  • Sheffield Graduate Award 2007,
  • White Rose Enterprise Skill Build Award 2007 

Modules

2024/25


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Office Hours:

You can hear a pronounciation of Damien's name here, pronouns are he/him. 


Term 2 Office Hours:

Damien has two office hours per week, one in his office on Streatham Campus and one online.

For the online meeting you do not need to book, but can drop into a waiting room at the advertised time on the relevant ink below. For the in-person meeting please book in advance on the relevant link below. 

Online: Tuesday: 10:00-11:00 Online the link to join is available here

In person: Friday 12:00-13:00 Amory C253c please book here

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