Anna Hughes

Anna Hughes

Dr

  • Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Geography
  • Arthur Lewis Building, Room 1.039

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Contact me to discuss project ideas that focus on (palaeo)glaciology of ice sheets and glaciers, e.g. ice sheet and glacier reconstruction, geochronology, glacial geomorphology.

Personal profile

Overview

I am interested in ice sheets and glaciers, and their interactions with climate.

My focus, as a palaeoglaciologist, is to use traces left behind in the landscape to reconstruct the size, movement and dynamics of former ice masses. I am therefore particularly interested in processes operating at the ice sheet bed and how these sculpt distintive glacial landscapes. My primary research focus of recent years has been uncovering the evolution and chronology of the ice masses of the Eurasian ice sheet complex during the last glaciation. 

I joined the University of Manchester in January 2019, following research postions that took me to Greenland and Norway. Here at Manchester, I lead the Quaternary Environment and Geoarchaeology (QEG) research group and am involved in the Mapping: Computing and Geographic Information Science (MCGIS), and Cryosphere Research At Manchester (CRAM) networks. 

Biography

  • Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Physical Geography - Quaternary Science, University of Manchester (2022-)
  • Lecturer in Physical Geography - Quaternary Science, University of Manchester (2019-22).
  • Researcher, Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen & Bjerknes Centre for Climate Reseach, Norway (2016-18). 
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen & Bjerknes Centre for Climate Reseach, Norway (2012-16). 
  • Research Officer, Glaciology Group, Swansea University, Wales (2008-11).

Research interests

My research focus is understanding the dynamics and evolution of past ice sheets. Some examples of my research projects:

  • Geomorphological mapping of glacial landforms and reconstruction of past ice flow and retreat using high-resolution digital elevation models;
  • Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating of glacially streamlined surfaces and erratic boulders to determine ice-retreat rates;
  • Identification of glacial trimlines using multi-spectral satellite imagery;
  • Establishing pan-ice sheet chronologies to reconstruct the timing and evolution of Northern Hemisphre ice sheets;
  • Providing useful and Open Access glacial geological datasets to constrain and validate ice sheet models.

Links to my publications can be found at the following archives: ORCID, Google Scholar

Teaching

I teach across all levels,  across a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. My teaching specialisms are in past glaciation and climate, glacial geomorphology, and the use and application of digital elevation models. 

Each year I also supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertation projects.  

Opportunities

I welcome enquiries from prospective students interested in pursuing PhD research. I am particularly interested in supervising projects that focus on the palaeoglaciology of ice sheets, ice sheet and glacier reconstruction, geochronology, and in glacial geomorphology and processes. If you are enthusiastic about past ice sheets and glaciers, then get in touch by email.

Competative funding is available for a limited number of PhD studentships each year. To be considered you need to apply before February to start in the following September. You should contact me to discuss project ideas before applying. Further information on the PhD Programme in Physical Geography at University of Manchester, and how to apply can be found here.

PhD Supervision and examination experience

My first PhD researcher graduated in 2014 and I was external supervisor to a PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield 2019-2024. I have been external examiner for PhD candidates on multiple occasions, including in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and UK.  I have supervised multiple masters research projects in UK and Norway.

Former PhD Researchers

Christiaan Diemont (2024) Land-terminating sectors of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet; a landform-driven reconstruction. University of Sheffield. 

Laurence Dyke (2014) The late-Quaternary glacial history of southeast Greenland. Swansea University. Link to thesis.

 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, The last British Ice Sheet: a reconstruction based on glacial landforms, The University of Sheffield

Oct 2004Sept 2008

Award Date: 18 Feb 2009

Master of Science, Quaternary Science, Royal Holloway, University of London

Oct 2003Sept 2004

Bachelor of Science, Geography, The University of Sheffield

Sept 1999Jul 2002

External positions

Associate Professor II, Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen & Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research

1 Jan 201931 Dec 2021

Leader, Nordic Union for Quaternary Research (NORDQUA)

Jan 2018Aug 2024

Areas of expertise

  • GB Physical geography
  • QE Geology
  • GE Environmental Sciences

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Manchester Environmental Research Institute

Keywords

  • palaeoglaciology
  • glacial geomorphology
  • glaciers
  • ice sheets
  • Remote Sensing
  • Geographic Information Science (GISc)
  • geochronology
  • climate change
  • Arctic

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