Overview
Damien is a senior lecturer specialising in remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). He is programme director of the degree pathway he successfuly proposed for approval: Geography with Applied GIS.
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. Damien is passionate about teaching and the use of GIS to understand spatial data, patterns and trends. He gained Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy in 2017 and has won awards for his work creating web mapping aps.
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)
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Links
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.
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
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:
Dynamics of tidewater surge-type glaciers in northwest Svalbard
The evolution of ice dynamics through surges of four tidewater-terminating glaciers in northwest Svalbard is investigated by remote sensing. A 20 year time series of glacier surface flow speeds and frontal positions is presented covering the recent surges of Monacobreen, Comfortlessbreen, Blomstrandbreen and Fjortende Julibreen. Surface flow speeds were derived using feature tracking between pairs of ERS SAR and ALOS PALSAR images, while frontal positions were taken from the same imagery, as well as more frequent but lower-spatial-resolution Envisat Wide Swath Mode images. During all four surges, increased ice flow caused the tidewater margin to advance while the calving flux was initially reduced to near zero due to compressive stresses limiting crevasse propagation. As ice speed decreased, the terminus continued to advance, until the glacier's speed had returned to its pre-surge flow rate. Only at this time did the terminus start to retreat and peak iceberg calving flux was established. We conclude that terminus advance closely tracks glacier speed-up, that there is little mass loss through calving during the most active phase of the surge, and that seasonal cycles of terminus positions diminish during the active surge phase.
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 ApplicationsAbstract:
Synoptic climatology of cold air drainage in the Derwent Valley, Peak District,UK
Cold air drainage is a characteristic of hilly or mountainous terrain and can have significant impact on agricultural or horticultural activities. This paper considers a range of synoptic and topographic factors that could affect the phenomenon of cold air drainage, through an exploration of its characteristics in the Peak District of central England, showing that cold air drainage events can occur at any time of the year, with summer events being even more frequent than those usually noticed in winter. The occurrence of such events is related to the local topography, and particularly the correspondence to hollows and local valleys on the scale of 0.5–1 km, rather than on the scale of the principal drainage routes in the region. In contrast to some previous studies, synoptic and local weather conditions were not found to be strong indicators of cold air drainage events. It is also shown that under suitable conditions cold air drainage can overcome the effects of the urban heat island.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Publications by year
2019
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
2012
Mansell DT, Luckman A, Murray T (2012). Dynamics of tidewater surge-type glaciers in northwest Svalbard.
Journal of Glaciology,
58, 110-118.
Abstract:
Dynamics of tidewater surge-type glaciers in northwest Svalbard
The evolution of ice dynamics through surges of four tidewater-terminating glaciers in northwest Svalbard is investigated by remote sensing. A 20 year time series of glacier surface flow speeds and frontal positions is presented covering the recent surges of Monacobreen, Comfortlessbreen, Blomstrandbreen and Fjortende Julibreen. Surface flow speeds were derived using feature tracking between pairs of ERS SAR and ALOS PALSAR images, while frontal positions were taken from the same imagery, as well as more frequent but lower-spatial-resolution Envisat Wide Swath Mode images. During all four surges, increased ice flow caused the tidewater margin to advance while the calving flux was initially reduced to near zero due to compressive stresses limiting crevasse propagation. As ice speed decreased, the terminus continued to advance, until the glacier's speed had returned to its pre-surge flow rate. Only at this time did the terminus start to retreat and peak iceberg calving flux was established. We conclude that terminus advance closely tracks glacier speed-up, that there is little mass loss through calving during the most active phase of the surge, and that seasonal cycles of terminus positions diminish during the active surge phase.
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 ApplicationsAbstract:
Synoptic climatology of cold air drainage in the Derwent Valley, Peak District,UK
Cold air drainage is a characteristic of hilly or mountainous terrain and can have significant impact on agricultural or horticultural activities. This paper considers a range of synoptic and topographic factors that could affect the phenomenon of cold air drainage, through an exploration of its characteristics in the Peak District of central England, showing that cold air drainage events can occur at any time of the year, with summer events being even more frequent than those usually noticed in winter. The occurrence of such events is related to the local topography, and particularly the correspondence to hollows and local valleys on the scale of 0.5–1 km, rather than on the scale of the principal drainage routes in the region. In contrast to some previous studies, synoptic and local weather conditions were not found to be strong indicators of cold air drainage events. It is also shown that under suitable conditions cold air drainage can overcome the effects of the urban heat island.
Abstract.
Author URL.
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Teaching
Roles & responsibilities in education:
Pedagogic Activities
Awards & Qualifications
- 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
2019/20
