Dr Simon Cook

Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences

Energy Environment and Society, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

Portrait photo of Simon Cook
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Contact

Email

s.y.cook@dundee.ac.uk

Phone

+44 (0)1382 385142

Biography

I am a geoscientist with interests in glaciology, geohazards and the geomorphology of mountain environments. Much of my works focuses on understanding the mechanisms that shape landscapes (including glacial, fluvial and mass movement processes), as well as the response of glacial environments to climate change, including geohazards and risks posed by deglaciation (e.g. glacial outburst floods, landslides and water resource issues).

Research

I am particularly interested in developing collaborations and postgraduate projects around the following themes (in no particular order):

  • Hazards and risks associated with deglaciation (e.g. glacial lake outburst floods [GLOFs], landslides)
  • Geomorphological responses to deglaciation
  • Controls on glacial lake development
  • Glacial erosion and sediment transfer
  • Geomicrobiology of subglacial environments
  • Carbon and nutrient transfer from glacial systems
  • Public communication of geohazard and risk science

Current and former postgraduate students

  • Tanya Jones, PhD (Co-Supervisor, University of Dundee), September 2019 – Present. Can Restorative Justice Create Process of Restorative Climate Justice Applicable to Adaptation Needs of Those Affected by Deglaciation?
  • Jamal Hassan, PhD (Co-Supervisor, based at University of Dundee), August 2018 – Present. Using remote sensing and GIS to model the impact of deforestation on ecosystem services in southern Asia.
  • Saule Akhmetkaliyeva, PhD (Co-Supervisor, based at Manchester Metropolitan University), September 2017 – Present. Carbon and nutrient export from glaciers.
  • Anne Stefaniak, PhD (Co-Supervisor, based at Nottingham Trent University), January 2016 - Present. Controls on supraglacial lake development.
  • Ethan Lee, MRes (Co-Supervisor, based at Leeds University), September 2018 – September 2019. Himalayan glacier change since the Little Ice Age.
  • Dr Maria Loroño-Leturiondo, PhD (Co-Supervisor, based at Manchester Metropolitan University), September 2016 - September 2019. Improving public engagement with air pollution: exploring two-way communication formats, public perception, and the voices of women.
  • Dr Ioannis Kougkoulos, PhD (Lead Supervisor), January 2016 – January 2019. Glacier change and glacial lake outburst flood hazard in the Bolivian Andes.
  • Dr Mario Toubes Rodrigo, PhD (Lead Supervisor), September 2014 – October 2017. Geomicrobiology of glacier basal ice.
View full research profile and publications

Teaching

I teach on the following modules

EV11001* The Physical Environment (introduction to geology)
EV21001 Management and Monitoring (Scottish geology & georesources)
GE32025* Advanced Field Research (Iceland Fieldcourse)
GE32026 / GE42024* (Advanced) Polar Environments
GE31020 Field and Laboratory Skills in Physical Geography (Geomorphological Mapping)
GE31002 / GE41013 (Advanced) Glacial Processes and Environments

*module leader)

Media availability

I am available for media commentary on my research.

Dr Cook is an environmental scientist working on the impacts of climate change, with a focus on mountain and polar regions. His expertise centres on glaciers and ice sheets and their response to global warming, as well as natural hazards such as floods, avalanches and landslides. He has extensive media experience.

Contact Corporate Communications for media enquiries.

Areas of expertise

  • Climate change
  • Environment
  • Natural disasters
  • Sustainability
  • Water
  • Weather

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