Qualifications

 

01/2000 -    12/2003	Ph.D., School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Thesis Title: Error identification and correction methods for automatically-derived digital elevation models. Supervisors: Prof. Stuart Lane and Dr Stuart Barr Funding Body: School of Geography, University of Leeds Synopsis: My research investigated the development of approaches for managing large topographic data sets derived through remote methods aimed at landscape evolution research. Fieldwork was undertaken in Upper Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, England.
10/1996 -       10/1997	M.Phil., Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Course: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing Dissertation Title: Optimization procedures of stereo-matching aerial photography over complicated topography. Supervisor: Prof. Stuart Lane Funding Body: Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Bursary Synopsis: Course work addressed the principles of GIS and remote sensing from practical, theoretical and administrative perspectives.  My research investigated the influence of factors such as grid density, vegetation cover and model parameterisation on the quality of digital topographic data and their implication on forest ecology research.
09/1991 -     04/1996	B.Sc.H., Department of Geography, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Course: Physical Geography Synopsis: Studies focused on geomorphology and GIS/remote sensing.

Employment History

 

07/2004 -    Present	Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Geography, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, UK. Supervisor: Prof. Tavi Murray Synopsis: Funded by a 30 month NERC grant our aim is to assess the influence of changes to the extent of small scale, surge-type glaciers on sea level rise. using data collected remotely (lidar and aerial photography) over glaciated catchments around the Svalbard archipelago, Norway. Results will be used as input in a regional mass balance model and upscaled to provide estimates of ice extent and volume changes to Svalbard glaciers over the next 100 years under different climatic scenarios.
09/2003 -    06/2004	Teaching and Research Fellow, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Supervisor: Prof. Stuart Lane Synopsis: Main teaching responsibility included convening a Level I module of 260 B.Sc./B.A. students requiring the coordination of 4 other lecturers and six post-graduate teaching assistants. I was also responsible for the practical component of a Level II module of 85 B.Sc. students. Research goals included writing-up the results from my Ph.D. research and preparing for the Svalbard 2004 field season.
10/2001 -       04/2002	Photogrammetry Consultant, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Supervisor: Prof. Stuart Lane Synopsis: Contracted by the U.K. Environment Agency to map high water elevations for the City of York during the November 2000 flood event. Unconventional, cost-saving methods were successfully applied including the use of a desktop flatbed scanner and digital, map-derived ground control. I was involved the co-ordination and execution of all stages of the project.
05/1998 -       11/1998	Photogrammetry Technician, Mapping and LIS Division, J.D. Barnes Ltd., Markham, Ontario, Canada. Synopsis: Involved in all stages of the implementation of a softcopy photogrammetric system including the evaluation of hardware/software and orchestration of the transition from an analytical to digital system.
01/1998 -    05/1998	Field Data Collection/GIS Technician, Mapping and LIS Division, J.D. Barnes Ltd., Markham, Ontario, Canada. Synopsis: As part of a GIS implementation and data conversion project, I participated in compiling a full inventory of the electrical distribution system of the City of Whitby, Ontario. Data was collected in the field using a full version vector based GIS mounted on a portable pen-based computer.
10/1997 -     01/1998	Assistant Project Manager, Agricon International Inc., Cambridge, Ontario. Synopsis: Responsible for preparing proposal submissions as well as writing hard-copy and on-line help manuals for several Agricon GIS software products.

Research interests and current projects

My research interests lie in the collection and analysis of topographic data using remote methods such as photogrammetry and lidar.  While my Ph.D. research focused on data collection for hydrological research, my true interests lie with change detection in glacial and periglacial environments.

Currently, I am the recognised postdoctoral researcher on a 30 month project funded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The project, dubbed SLICES (Sea Level rise from ICE in Svalbard), is a collaboration between the Universities of Swansea, Newcastle and Bristol with project partners that include the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), the Russian Academy of Sciences and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre.  Our research is also supported by Optech Inc. and Applied Imagery.  The aims of SLICES are to:

(i) resolve the baseline length limitation of lidar collection and to overcome logistical limitations of working in remote areas;
(ii) derive estimates of historical mass balance for the 20th century for a representative sample of Svalbard glaciers;
(ii) upscale these results to arrive at an estimate of sea-level rise contribution for the archipelago; and
(iii) forecast sea-level rise contributions for the 21st century under different climatic scenarios.

My specific interests lie with item (ii).  More information about SLICES can be found by following the link below.

 

Teaching

My current position is a full-time research post and thus carries no teaching responsibilities at this time.

 

Selected Publications

Ph.D. Thesis:

• James, T.D. (2003). Error Identification and Correction Methods for Automatically Derived Digital Elevation Models. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Leeds, UK: 247pp. 

Journal papers:

• Kohler, J., James, T.D., Murray, T., Nuth, C., Brandt, O., Barrand, N.E., Aas, H.F. and Luckman, A.J. (2007). Acceleration in thinning rate on western Svalbard glaciers, Geophysical Research Letters, 34(L18502): doi:10.1029/2007GL030681.

• James, T.D., Carbonneau, P.E. and Lane, S.N. (2007). Investigating the effects of DEM error in scaling analysis. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing. 73(1): 67-78.

• James, T.D., Barr, S.L. and Lane, S.N. (2006). Automated correction of surface obstruction errors in DSMs using image analysis. Photogrammetric Record. 21(116): 357-381.

• James, T.D., Murray, T., Barrand, N.E. and Barr, S.L., (2006).  Extracting photogrammetric ground control from lidar DEMs for change detection.  Photogrammetric Record. 21(116): 310-326.

• Lane, S.N., James, T.D., Pritchard, H.D. and Saunders, M., (2003). Photogrammetric and laser altimetric reconstruction of water levels for extreme flood event analysis. Photogrammetric Record, 18(104): 293-307.

• Lane, S.N., Brookes, C.J., Hardy, R.J., Holden, J., James, T.D., Kirkby, M.J., McDonald, A.T., Tayefi, V. and Yu, D. (2003). Land management, flooding and environmental risk: new approaches to a very old question. Proceedings of the CIWEM National Conference, Harrogate, England. September 2003.

• Lane, S.N., James, T.D. and Crowell, M.D., (2000). The application of digital photogrammetry to complex topography for geomorphological research. Photogrammetric Record. 16(95): 793-821.

• James, T.D., (1999). The cost of a digital workstation. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 65(5): 551-552.

• James, T.D., Murray, T., Luckman, A.J., Barrand, N.E. and Abrahamsen, T. (2006). Change in the geometry and extent of Slakbreen, Svalbard since 1961 using lidar-controlled aerial photography and photogrammetry. International Glaciology Society International Symposium on Cryospheric Indicators of Global Climate Change, Cambridge, England, 21-25 August.

• Kohler, J., Brandt, O., Nuth, C., Murray, T. James, T.D. and Barrand, N.E. (2006). Long-term high arctic mass balance: comparison of specific balances and volume changes. International Glaciology Society International Symposium on Cryospheric Indicators of Global Climate Change, Cambridge, England, 21-25 August.

• Murray, T. and James T.D. (2006). Volume loss from a Svalbard catchment – contrasts between a surge-type and non-surge-type glacier. International Glaciology Society International Symposium on Cryospheric Indicators of Global Climate Change, Cambridge, England, 21-25 August.

• James, T.D., Murray, T. and Abrahamsen, T. (2005). Assessing mine-induced changes in the Gruvfonna ice cap using remote methods. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 5-9 December.

• Kohler, J., Brandt, O., Nuth, C., Murray, T., James, T.D. and Barrand, N.E. (2005). Long-term High Arctic Mass Balance: Comparison of Specific Balances and Volume Changes. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 5-9 December.

• James, T.D., Murray, T., Luckman, A.J., Barr, S.L., King, M.A., Mills, J.P., Clarke, P.J., Payne, A.J., Wadham, J.L., Barrand, N.E. and Kohler, J. (2005). Changes in glacier geometry and extent in Svalbard (SLICES): implications for sea-level rise during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2005, Austria Center, Vienna, Austria, 24-29 April.

• James, T.D., Barrand, N.E. and Murray, T. (2004). Using lidar digital elevation models for photogrammetric ground control for historic mass balance estimates of Svalbard glaciers: a pilot study. Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for Challenging Environments, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, England, 28 April.

• Barrand, N.E., James, T.D., Murray, T., Lane, S.N., Barr, S.L., Luckman, A., and Kohler, J. (2003). Changes and extent of Svalbard glaciers during the 21st century. IGS British Branch Meeting, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 14-16 September.

• James, T.D. (2002). Generating digital elevation models from aerial photography and lidar. Departmental Seminar, University of Leeds, England, 23 January.

• Brookes, C.J., Holden, J., James, T.D., Kirkby, M.J., Lane, S.N., McDonald, A.M., Reid, S.C., and Tayefi, V. (2002). Topographic data resolution effects in hillslope hydrological modelling explored using lidar data. BGRG Annual General Meeting, University of Leeds, England, 12-14 September.

• James, T.D., Lane, S.N. and Barr, S.L. (2002). Management of Error in Photogrammetric and Lidar Representation of Upland Topography Using Image Processing. BGRG Annual General Meeting, University of Leeds, England, 12-14 September.

• James, T.D., Lane, S.N. and Barr, S. (2001). On the sources of error in photogrammetrically-acquired DEMs using numerical simulation. Generation of High Quality Topographic Data for Hydrology and Geomorphology, University of Leeds, England, 17 January.

• Lane, S.N. and James, T.D. (2000) Fractal-based assessment of digital elevation model quality. 25th Congress of the European Geophysical Society, Nice, France, 24-29 April.

   SLICES Project

   GLIMPSE Project

   Swansea Glaciology Group

   Department of Geography

   University of Wales, Swansea

   International Glaciology Society, British Branch

   Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

   Remote Sensing and Photogrammetric Socitey (RSPSoc)