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https://webcdn.mmu.ac.uk/profiles/img/profile-images/Kathryn-Adamson-MMU-crop-145x145-5d76543fb4a41.jpg
I am a Quaternary scientist with a particular interest in long-term environmental change and landscape processes. Much of my research examines the impacts of climate change on glacial activity and meltwater dynamics, as well as present-day Arctic glacier retreat. My most recent research and teaching activities focus on field sites in Greenland, Spain, Montenegro, Iceland, and Norway.
For further information on my field research and science outreach activities, take a look at my Arctic field blog:
2009-2012: PhD in Physical Geography and Quaternary Science - The University of Manchester
'The response of Mediterranean river systems to Pleistocene glaciation'
2008-2009: MSc in Quaternary Science (Distinction) - Royal Holloway, University of London and UCL
2005-2008: BSc in Geography (First class) - The University of Manchester
2012-2014: Lecturer in Physical Geography at Queen Mary, University of London
Geography occupies a very important position at the interface between social and physical sciences. In a constanly changing world, especially in the face of anthropogenic global warming, we need to fully understand how people and environments interact so that we can build resilience for the future; Geography graduates are especially well equipped to do this.
First year (Level 4)
Second year (Level 5)
Third year (Level 6)
MSc
MSc Project (6F7Z3010)
MSc Environmental Assessment Fieldcourse (6F7Z1037)
Matthew Carney (in progress)
With co-supervisors Dr Cathy Delaney (MMU) and Dr Phil Hughes (University of Manchester)
Reconstructing past glacial systems using proglacial lake sediments
April Howden (in progress)
With co-supervisors Dr Tim Lane (LJMU) and Dr Matthew Finkenbinder (Wilkes-Barre University)
Reconstructing retreat of the southern margins of the Laurentide Ice Sheet
Konstantin Nebel (in progress)
With co-supervisors Dr Tim Lane (LJMU), Dr Iestyn Barr (MMU), Dr Willem van der Bilt (Bergen), and Dr Jason Kirby (LJMU)
Reconstructing Holocene climate and glacier change, North Iceland
My research examines the impacts of climate change on glacial activity and meltwater dynamics. I am especially interested in the ways that glacial and fluvial sedimentary records can be used to identify past environmental change and landscape evolution. My field sites include: Montenegro, Spain, West and East Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, and Norway.
My work in the Mediterranean focuses on river system response to climate change and glacial activity. This is developed in collaboration with researchers at the University of Manchester, Royal Holloway, University of London, Liverpool John Moores University, and the Open University.
In Greenland and Iceland, my research explores the impacts of Holocene and present-day climate change on ice cap dynamics, permafrost characteristics and meltwater systems. Some of these projects are funded by the EU-INTERACT Arctic research programme, and are being completed in collaboration with colleagues at Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and CNRS Paris.
I use a combination of field and laboratory methods including:
These techniques allow me to investigate the nature and timing of landscape response to Quaternary environmental change, and draw comparisons between past and present landsystems so that we can better understand future landscape change. This is especially important given the potential sensitivity of glaciers and small ice caps to future climate change scenarios.
Holocene ice cap behaviour in West Greenland
With Dr Tim Lane at Liverpool John Moores University, and Dr Vincent Jomelli and Dr Vincent Rinterknecht and colleagues at CNRS, Paris.
River response to Pleistocene glaciation in Montenegro
In collaboration with Professor Jamie Woodward and Dr Philip Hughes at the University of Manchester
Quaternary calcrete and river terrace development in southeast Spain
In collaboration with Professor Ian Candy at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Dr Liz Whitfield at Liverpool John Moores University
S. Cordier, K. Adamson, M. Delmas, M. Calvet, D. Harmand Of ice and water: Quaternary fluvial response to glacial forcing. Quaternary Science Reviews. 166, pp.57-73.
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes, F. Giglio, F. Del Bianco (2017). Middle Pleistocene glaciation, alluvial fan development and sea-level changes in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. J. woodward, P. Hughes. In: Geological Society Special Publication. Geological Society of London, pp.193-209.
V. Jomelli, T. Lane, V. Favier, V. Masson-Delmotte, D. Swingedouw, et al. V. Rinterknecht, I. Schimmelpfennig, D. Brunstein, D. Verfaillie, K. Adamson, L. Leanni, F. Mokadem, G. Aumaître, DL. Bourlès, K. Keddadouche. (2016). Paradoxical cold conditions during the medieval climate anomaly in the Western Arctic. Scientific Reports. 6,
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes (2016). 17. Middle Pleistocene glacial outwash in poljes of the Dinaric karst. In: Caves and Karst Across Time. Geological Society of America, pp.247-262.
K. Adamson, I. Candy, L. Whitfield (2015). Coupled micromorphological and stable isotope analysis of Quaternary calcrete development. Quaternary Research (United States).
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes (2014). Glaciers and rivers: Pleistocene uncoupling in a Mediterranean mountain karst. Quaternary Science Reviews. 94, pp.28-43.
WL. Filho, K. Adamson, RM. Dunk, UM. Azeiteiro, S. Illingworth, et al. F. Alves. (2016). Implementing Climate Change Adaptation in Cities and Communities Integrating Strategies and Educational Approaches. Springer.
WL. Filho, K. Adamson, RM. Dunk, UM. Azeiteiro, S. Illingworth, et al. MDFP. Alves. (2016). Preface.
K. Adamson, T. Lane, K. De Meyer, M. Carney, L. Oppenheim, et al. S. Panitz, H. Price, E. Smith, G. Watson. (2021). Enhancing physical geography schools outreach: insights from co-production and storytelling narratives. Progress in Physical Geography. 45(6), pp.907-930.
D. Harmand, K. Adamson, G. Rixhon, S. Jaillet, B. Losson, et al. A. Devos, G. Hez, M. Calvet, P. Audra. Relationships between fluvial evolution and karstification related to climatic, tectonic and eustatic forcing in temperate regions. Quaternary Science Reviews. 166, pp.38-56.
S. Cordier, K. Adamson, M. Delmas, M. Calvet, D. Harmand Of ice and water: Quaternary fluvial response to glacial forcing. Quaternary Science Reviews. 166, pp.57-73.
V. Jomelli, T. Lane, V. Favier, V. Masson-Delmotte, D. Swingedouw, et al. V. Rinterknecht, I. Schimmelpfennig, D. Brunstein, D. Verfaillie, K. Adamson, L. Leanni, F. Mokadem, G. Aumaître, DL. Bourlès, K. Keddadouche. (2016). Paradoxical cold conditions during the medieval climate anomaly in the Western Arctic. Scientific Reports. 6,
K. Adamson, I. Candy, L. Whitfield (2015). Coupled micromorphological and stable isotope analysis of Quaternary calcrete development. Quaternary Research (United States).
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes (2014). Glaciers and rivers: Pleistocene uncoupling in a Mediterranean mountain karst. Quaternary Science Reviews. 94, pp.28-43.
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes (2014). Glacial crushing of limestone and the production of carbonate-rich silts in a pleistocene glaciofluvial system: A potential source of loess in southern europe. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography. 96(3), pp.339-356.
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes (2014). Glacial crushing of limestone and the production of carbonate-rich silts in a Pleistocene glaciofluvial system: A potential source of loess in Southern Europe. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography.
I. Candy, K. Adamson, CE. Gallant, E. Whitfield, R. Pope (2012). Oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of Quaternary meteoric carbonates from western and southern Europe: Their role in palaoenvironmental reconstruction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 326-328, pp.1-11.
PD. Hughes, JC. Woodward, PC. van Calsteren, LE. Thomas, KR. Adamson (2010). Pleistocene ice caps on the coastal mountains of the Adriatic Sea. Quaternary Science Reviews. 29(27-28), pp.3690-3708.
J. Cortes Arevalo, K. Adamson, E. Fantini, L. Verbrugge, R. Postma (2023). Storytelling. In: Handbook Transdisciplinary Learning. transcript Verlag, pp.359-370.
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes, F. Giglio, F. Del Bianco (2017). Middle Pleistocene glaciation, alluvial fan development and sea-level changes in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. J. woodward, P. Hughes. In: Geological Society Special Publication. Geological Society of London, pp.193-209.
KR. Adamson, JC. Woodward, PD. Hughes (2016). 17. Middle Pleistocene glacial outwash in poljes of the Dinaric karst. In: Caves and Karst Across Time. Geological Society of America, pp.247-262.
April 2017 - European Geosciences Union, Vienna
Uncertainty in palaeoclimate proxies - Session co-convenor
April 2016 - European Geosciences Union, Vienna
Meltwater systems under a changing climate - Session co-convenor
September 2015 - World Symposium on Climate Change, Manchester
Organising committee member and session convenor
April 2015 - European Geosciences Union, Vienna
Science Outreach Workshop - Session convenor
April 2014 - European Geosciences Union, Vienna
Science Communication Workshop - Session convenor
I typically provide reviews for journals such as:
Climatica Science-Public outreach website - www.climatica.org.uk
Co-founder and editor of the interactive, web-based climate science outreach project developed in association with the Quaternary Research Association and the Geological Society. This project develops close collaborations with Earth scientists from across the UK and beyond to deliver accessible and scientifically robust scientific knowledge to the wider public.
INTERACT Fieldwork blog - www.arcticresearch.wordpress.com
An insight into research activities during field seasons at Arctic Station, West Greenland and Zackenberg, East Greenland, as part of the INTERACT public outreach scheme.
July 2016 – ‘Climate Control’, European City of Science - Manchester Museum
A day-long exhibition of climate change research within the galleries of Manchester Museum. Involving 20 academics providing hands-on experiments to the general public. Over 750 visitors.
October 2015 'Ice and Glaciers' - Manchester Science Festival - Museum of Science and Industry
An interactive one-day event ‘Ice and Glaciers’ a part of Manchester Science Festival. In collaboration with British Antarctic Survey and University of East Anglia. Over 500 visitors.
February 2015 ‘Climate Science Challenge’ – Manchester Museum
Organiser of a climate science public outreach event at Manchester Museum for Climate Week 2015. The event involved 20 climate scientists from UK universities and organisations such as British Antarctic Survey and the World Bank, providing public outreach activities in the museum. Over 1,200 visitors.
Advisor to the American Geophysical Union outreach network
Selected as an Earth Science outreach expert to advise the AGU on the development of their science outreach programme.
OCR Geography curriculum panel
Advisor to the OCR GCSE and A-Level advisory boards for the National Curriculum.
Science communication contributor – ‘Atmosphere’ documentary
In collaboration with Professor Piers Forster at the University of Leeds, this documentary film examines the current scientific understanding of climate change and its implications. Due for televised screening and European film festivals.
World Bank – Connect for Climate contributor
Collaboration through the authorship of outreach articles and cross-promotion with Climatica (see below), as part of their global network to promote science communication (www.connect4climate.org).
Royal Meteorological Society – outreach collaborator
Invited collaborator to develop Key Stage 3 materials on the topic of long-term climate change.