I joined YSJU in 2026 as a Lecturer in Geography. My primary interests are in game-based approaches in geosciences, particularly at the nexus of games and numerical modelling. Games can be 'playable systems' and help us make sense of the world, as well as being powerful pedagogical and communication tools. As a river scientist by background, with specialisms in geomorphology and hydrology, my work has a focus on flood risk and resilience.
Before joining YSJU, I was a Senior Technical Advisor at the Environment Agency, part of the Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme (2021 to 2025). Before that, I was a Research Fellow in Flood Resilience at the University of Hull's Energy and Environment Institute (2019 to 2021), where I founded and ran the Earth Arcade project.
I have a PhD in Hydrometeorology from the University of Hull (awarded 2013). I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and a member of the European Geoscience Union and the British Hydrological Society. I am a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) for the UK's 25-year Flood Hydrology Roadmap.
I contribute to the teaching across the Geography undergraduate programmes with a focus on physical and environmental geography. I lead modules covering geomorphology, environmental hazards, and river management.
My teaching style is research-led, creative, and practical. I make use of my operational experience in flood hydrology to relate the latest environmental research to real-world issues and solutions. Employability and skills are a strong focus in my teaching, developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. I make extensive use of game-based approaches across my modules.
I have a broad portfolio of research activity that has covered topics of numerical modelling, geomorphology, flood risk, and science communication.
Since returning to academia, my research focus has been on the use of game-based approaches to support numerical modelling activities. This includes:
- supporting modellers to better identify and communicate the limitations of their models
- supporting non-modeller decision-makers better understand the validity and limits of modelled evidence
- supporting the increase of model literacy in the general public
I am a Fellow of Royal Geographical Society and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) for the UK's 25-year Flood Hydrology Roadmap.
I founded Games for Geoscience in 2018 and am lead convenor of the associated science session at the annual General Assembly of the European Geoscience Union in Vienna. This includes hosting the extremely popular Geoscience Games Night.
I have memberships of the European Geoscience Union and the British Hydrological Society. I have served as a trustee for the British Hydrological Society (2021 to 2024) and the British Society for Geomorphology (2018 to 2021).
I am a keen science communicator and have led exhibits at events and festivals, including the British, Manchester, and Hull Science Festivals, Hull's Freedom Festival, and at London's Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and Royal Society. I have given public lectures at Cafe Scientifique (Beverley), Pint of Science (Hull), Cuppa Science (online), and at the Natural History Museum. I have provided expert commentary for the BBC Weather Programme, ITV News, and the BBC Radio 4 programme 'I, by tide of Humber'.
