Gail Millin-Chalabi is Project Manager for the Research Lifecycle Programme (RLP) working on university wide projects such as PURE migration to the AWS cloud, Research Risk Profiler and ArcGIS Online (AGOL) cloud-based platform for geospatial mapping, analysis and app creation. She is the Theme Lead for Skills and Workforce in RLP and leads the Research IT Computation and Data in Research (CaDiR) GIS, Mapping and EO (GISMEO) Community. 

Gail is also a Co-I Researcher of the 5 year NERC funded Towards a UK fire danger rating system project leading WP1: Fuel Mapping - landscape scale to local fuel structure. Her research interests are in the application of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for burn scar detection, characterisation and recovery in UK moorland and heathland environments. Gail has also combined her expertise in burn scar characterisation with SAR and SDI development to develop the start-up company EnviroSAR Ltd. which received support by UMIP/Manchester Business School, Innovation Optimiser Award /Momentum Programme and the EU Copernicus Masters Accelerator Programme funded by the Satellite Applications Catapult.

She was the GIS and Remote Sensing Technical Specialist for SEED and led the development of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) for The University of Manchester to enhance geospatial teaching and research by managing the use of the Esri cloud environment ArcGIS Online for geospatial distance learning and ArcGIS Pro for advanced geospatial analysis. In addition, via the Geospatial Technical Community Blackboard space Gail provided essential geospatial technical support for the School of Environment, Education and Development. Gail's interest for SDI development originates from her previous work experience at Mimas developing the national Earth Observation service Landmap and working for the Earthquake Hazards Team at the USGS.

Professional Experience

Jun 2023 - Present: Project Manager - Research Lifecycle Programme, Research IT, The University of Manchester.

Jan 2020 - Dec 2024: Co-I - Towards a UK fire danger rating system: Understanding fuels, fire behaviour and impacts. NERC NE/T003553/1.

Nov 2022 - Mar 2023: Co-I Enabling Human-in-the-loop Interventions in Immersive Digital Twins. Turing-Manchester Feasibility Project. Funded by: The Alan Turing Institue.

Jul 2022 - Mar 2023: Geospatial Urban Digital Twins: Developing an Esri-VR Workflow. Funded by: SEED Research Recovery Fund.

Apr 2022 - Sep 2022: Co-I - A Virtual Reality analytics framework to assess the user experience of digital twins. Turing-Manchester Feasibility Project. Funded by: The Alan Turing Institute.

Mar 2017 - May 2024: Director of EnviroSAR Ltd. UMIP and Copernicus funded start-up.

May 2016 - June 2023: GIS and Remote Sensing Technical Specialist, School of Environment, Eduation and Development, The University of Manchester.

Jan 2015 - May 2016: Lecturer in Remote Sensing, School of Environment, Education and Development, The University of Manchester.

Aug 2014 - Dec 2014: eLearning Technologist, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester.

Jan 2014 - Jul 2014: Geodata R&D Officer (Museum Augmented Reality & Visualisation), Mimas, Learning, Teaching & Professional Services (LTaPS).

Aug 2005 - Dec 2013: European Space Agency Category 1 Project Co-Investigator - Monitoring the UK with ASAR and MERIS (C1P2999)

Aug 2005 - Dec 2013: Geodata Services Development Officer - Landmap Service, Mimas, The University of Manchester.

Feb 2005 - Jul 2005: Geodata Interoperability Support Officer - Mimas, The University of Manchester.

Apr 2004 - Jan 2005: GIS Scientist (Earthquake Hazard Program) - United States Geological Survey

Education

2009 - 2016: P/T PhD Physical Geography, School of Environment, Education and Development, The University of Manchester.

2002 - 2003: MSc. Environmental  Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction, School of Geography, The University of Manchester.

1999 - 2002: BSc. (Hons) Geography, School of Geography, The University of Manchester.

My principal research interests are in the field of burn scar mapping in UK moorlands using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). I am currently investigating SAR intensity and coherence parameters for characterising, detecting and assessing the persistence of burn scars in the Peak District National Park which occurred in 2003 and 2008. I am exploring the effect of  environmental parameters such as precipitation, land cover and slope on the SAR signal and how these variables can both enhance/ inhibit the detection of burn scars after a wildfire. I am also interesting in assessing the effect of the various radar parameters themselves on burn scar detection such as radar frequency, incidence angle and polarisation. 

2022 - The Alan Turing Institute - Enabling Human-in-the-loop Interventions in Immersive Digital Twins (Co-I) awarded December. £11,420.11

2022 - SEED Industry Stimulation Fund/SEED Research Recovery Fund - Geospatial Urban Digital Twins: Developing an Esri-VR Workflow (PI) awarded May. £5,237.25.

2022 - The Alan Turing Institute - A VR Analytics Framework to Assess the User Experience of Digital Twins (Co-I) awarded March. £19,760.43.

2021 - University of Manchester, Recognising and Rewarding Exceptional Performance - awarded May. £1,032.

2017 - Innovation Optimiser Award - UMIP for EnviroSAR Ltd. - £5,000.

2016 - Winner of the Copernicus Masters Sustainable Living Challenge funded by the Satellite Applications Catapult. EnviroSAR.

2015 - Finalist in the Copernicus University Challenge.

2015 - Awarded £1,170 SEED Research Development Fund (RDF) - Grant Writing and Preparation.

2013 - Copernicus Masters Best Services Challenge Winner. Landmap - Spatial Discovery.

2012 - University of Manchester, Recognising and Rewarding Exceptional Performance - awarded Sept. £1,000.

2012 - Awarded £24,964 (PI) from Jisc Rapid Innovations Programme for Breaking Down Barriers: Building a GeoKnowledge Community with OER

2011 - Contributed to the writing of Jisc funded ELOGeo Project in collaboration with the University of Nottingham. Awarded £21,532 to develop geospatial OER.

2010 - Led on the writing of the Metadata Enhancements Project. Awarded £73,424 from the Jisc Service Enhancements Programme.

I have a passion for developing Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) to enable data sharing through the use of interoperable Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) web services. I have worked in the development of SDI for the past fifteen years. My experience at the USGS and Mimas has provided me with the opportunity to develop SDI at the local and national level. I have expertise in the development of open source stacks using MapServer, PHP/MapScript, Apache and in proprietary solutions such as ERDAS APOLLO 2011/2013 and more recently Esri ArcGIS Online for The University of Manchester.

Invited Presentations

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2022) The University of Manchester - ArcGIS Online Spatial Data Infrastructure. Digital Futures, Mapping and GIS Innovation Club. 26 January 2022 [Online]. The University of Manchester, UK. 

Lavender, S. and Millin-Chalabi, G. (2021) Automatic Detection of Upland Burn Using Sentinel-1 SAR. Earth Observtion Centre of Excellence (EOCoE), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). 17 March 2021 [Online]. London, UK.

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2017) EnviroSAR: Multi-Sensor Observations of Peat Moorland Burn Scars, Peak District, UK, Mini Workshop for Global Wildfire Prevention, 16th January 2017, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), The Artifical Intelligence Research Center, GeoInformation Science Team, Tokyo Waterfront, Japan.

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2016) 'EnviroSAR: Tomorrows success story', Advancements in the UK Space Sector session, Innovate 2016, 3th November 2016, Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2016) 'EnviroSAR: Managing Wildfire Disturbance in Moorlands and Heathlands', Snapshot 1: Elevator Pitches from Winners of the European Satellite Navigation Competition and Copernicus Masters, Satellite Masters Conference 2016, 26th October 2016, Circulo De Bellas Artes De Madrid, Spain.

Millin-Chalabi, G. and Tantanasi, I. (2016) 'EnviroSAR pitch', Copernicus Accelerator Programme, 25th October 2016, Circulo De Bellas Artes De Madrid, Spain.

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2016) 'Radar Multi-Temporal and Multi-Sensor Approach to Characterise Peat Moorland Burn Scars and Assess Burn Scar Persistence', Centre for Landscape and Climate Research Seminar, 24th February 2016, The University of Leicester.

Millin-Chalabi, G. and Ramirez, M. (2013) 'Augmented Reality UKMap App: Inspiring School Children with Mapping Data', Augmented Reality Showcase, 16th May 2013, The University of Manchester

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2013) 'UK Wildfires Geoportal: Knowledge building through data sharing', 12th April 2013, England and Wales Wildfire Forum Meeting, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services.

Millin-Chalabi, G. (2012) 'What is spatial data and how can I access it for my research?Methods at Manchester,9th February 2012,The University of Manchester.

Millin, G.R. and Kitmitto, K. (2008) 'Mash-ups and applications: Understanding the changes of the intertidal bed at Morecambe Bay, Mimas Open Forum, 27th June 2008,The University of Manchester.

Millin, G. (2006) 'Satellite Image Data Service: Providing Satellite Data Online for the UK Academic Community', School of Geography Research Seminar, 13th December 2006, The University of Nottingham.

Millin, G. (2006) 'Developing OGC compliant web mapping and download user interface for the Satellite Image Data Service hosted at Mimas, AGI Open Source Event, 27th April 2006, British Antartic Survey, Cambridge.

Millin, G. (2006) ' The UK Satellite Image Data Service hosted at Mimas,The University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences Postgraduate Conference, 3rd - 5th February 2006, Strathpeffer, Scotland.

-- Pedagogical GISc Technical Platforms Developed --

Mar 2021: Geospatial Dissertation Technical Support in SEED - provides an overview of key services, software and platforms for supporting research activities in SEED.

Sep 2020: Launch of Blackboard Geospatial Technical Community site - provides key geospatial technical information for both staff and students.

Sep 2019: Launch of The University of Manchester - ArcGIS Online Spatial Data Infrastructure - Esri cloud platform used for online GIS teaching and research. The system is fully embedded with University of Manchester single sign-on access. Provides the platform for developing storymaps, web map applications, dashboards and geospatial data management for specific groups/ modules.

• Member of the SEED Flexible Learning Group.
• Member of the Digital Futures Mapping and GIS Innovation Club
• PS Lead of the Geospatial Technical Working Group (GSWG).

-- SEED GISc Technical Support (office hours) --
I provide GISc technical support during my office hours for the courses detailed below and in addition for: PLAN60761 Applied Spatial Analysis (Dr. Nuno Pinto), PLAN60452 Environmental Impact Assessment Project (Dr. Carys Jones and Dr. Andrew Snow), HCRI60071 GIS and Disasters (Dr. Billy Haworth), PLAN60812 Neighbourhood Planning Project (Prof. Richard Kingston).

-- Teaching Lead --

2021-2022 (Dual delivery via Zoom & Citrix)

• Led four hour induction session for all PGT Geographers Introduction to GISc Software and Introduction to ArcGIS Pro 2.8.2.
• Introduction to GISc toolkit for PLAN60812&40812 Neighbourhood Planning - Consists of five asynchronous practicals covering: ArcGIS Online: Getting started, Digimap OS Collections, Managing data in ArcGIS Online using Greater Manchester boroughs, Mapping and analysing urban green spaces in Manchester and Producing a 3D model of Manchester greenspace. Supported by three drop-in sessions and a lecture Introduction to GIS.

2020-2021 (Online delivery via Zoom and Citrix)

• ARCH50010 Research Methods - GIS and Spatial Analysis in Architecture lecture followed by two hour practical in QGIS.
• GEOG32012 Pyrogeography - Guest lecture on Earth Observation of Wildfires.
• Supervised three MSc Dissertation Projects
• GEOG70560 - supervised five Applied Study projects.
• GEOG60662 - lecture on GISc Technical Services to support dissertation projects.

2019 - 2020 (In-person delivery)

• GEOG32012 Pyrogeography - Guest lecture on Earth Observation of Wildfires and EFFIS Practical.
• PLAN60452&40332 EIA Project - Guest lecture and practical Using GIS to support EIA - a worked example using HS2.
• GEOG60942 Environmental Remote Sensing - Lecture 3 Atmospheric Interactions and Practical 1 Obtaining Earth Observation data.

2016 - 2017 (In-person delivery)

• GEOG70611 GIS and the Web - KML and Geographic Visualisation + Field Trip to Manchester Museum Vivarium + Esri UK Conference.

2015 - 2016 (In-person delivery)

• GEOG70612&40612 GIS and the Web - three lectures and practicals covering KML, OGC standards and ArcGIS Online + Field Trip to Manchester Museum Vivarium.
• GEOG70602 Digital Image Processing - SAR image prcessing using Sentinel-1 Toolbox.
• GEOG60941 Environmental Remote Sensing - led Radar Remote Sensing lecture and practical on burn scar detection using SAR.
• Supervised two MSc dissertations
• Supervised 10 undergraduate dissertations (Jan 2015 - May 2016)
• Field trip to Esri UK Conference

-- Teaching Support --

In class teaching and technical support as follows:

Semester 2, 2021-2022

• GEOG70632 Fundamentals of SAR - with Dr. Polyanna Bispo

Semester 1, 2021-2022

• GEOG60951 GIS and Environmental Applications - Prof. Sarah Lindley and Dr. Matthew Tomkins
• GEOG71921 Spatial Ecology - Dr. Matthew Dennis
• GEOG60411 Digital Terrain Analysis - Dr. Anna Hughes
• GEOG60941 Environmental Remote Sensing - Dr. Angela Harris

Semester 2, 2020-2021

• GEOG70922 Spatial Ecology - with Dr. Matthew Dennis
• GEOG20502 Spatial Thinking with GIS - with Prof. Sarah Lindely

Semester 1, 2020 - 2021

• GEOG60951 GIS and Environmental Applications - Prof. Sarah Lindley & Dr. Matthew Dennis
• GEOG60411 Digital Terrain Analysis - Dr. Anna Hughes & Dr. Polyanna Bispo
• GEOG60921 Environmental Remote Sensing - with Dr. Angela Harris

Semester 1, 2018 - 2019

GEOG60941 Environmental Remote Sensing - with Dr. Angela Harris

Semester 2, 2018 - 2019

GEOG20502 Spatial Thinking with GIS - with Prof. Sarah Lindley

Semester 1, 2016 - 2017

• GEOG60941 Environmental Remote Sensing - with Ms. Julia McMorrow
• GEOG70611 GIS and the Web - with Dr. Jonny Huck
• GEOG60951 GIS and Environmental Applications - with Prof. Sarah Lindley

Semester 2, 2016 - 2017

• GEOG70602 Digital Image Processing - with Dr. Laura Edwards
• GEOG71552 Understanding GIS - with Dr. Jonny Huck

Semester 1, 2015 - 2016

GEOG60951 Environmental Remote Sensing - with Ms. Julia McMorrow

Semester 2, 2015 - 2016

GEOG70612 GIS and the Web - with Dr. Jonny Huck
GEOG70602 Digital Image Processing - with Dr. Laura Edwards