Glacial geology and geomorphology
Catchment geomorphology
Shallow subsurface geological modelling
Applied Quaternary geology
British Geological Survey (2005-2009) – Band 7 scientist, Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology
British Geological Survey (2009-2015) – Band 6 scientist, Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology
Ph.D. (2014) – Edinburgh University, Glacial Geomorphology
British Geological Survey (2015-present) – Band 5 scientist, Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology
Chartered Geographer [Geomorph] (2015-present) – Royal Geographical Society
I’m a geoscientist with 14 years’ experience working at the British Geological Survey. I specialise in geomorphology and shallow subsurface geology using a combination of techniques including: remote sensing, field mapping, GIS analysis, and geological modelling. My work focuses on understanding the natural processes that shape the landscape – particularly in upland catchments and glaciated environments. I have worked on a range of applied projects aimed at improving decision making capability for end-users, and have considerable experience integrating geomorphology into the work of wider interdisciplinary teams.
I have extensive experience carrying out geomorphological research in the UK, and have also worked in Iceland, the U.A.E., India, Nepal, and the Philippines. I am a Chartered Geographer and a member of the Quaternary Research Association, and in 2014 was awarded the Lewis Penny Medal by the Quaternary Research Association.
Characterising near surface geology in upland environments
Modelling organic soil depth from topographic and geological covariates in upland Scotland
Self-recovery after disasters: an interdisciplinary collaboration to investigate how landscape interactions affect householder and community led post-disaster transitions in the Philippines and Nepal.
FINLAYSON, A, PHILLIPS, E, BENEDIKTSSON, Í Ö, ZOET, L K, IVERSON, N R, and EVEREST, J. 2019. Subglacial drumlins and englacial fractures at the surge‐type glacier, Múlajökull, Iceland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44(1), pp.367-380.
KEARSEY, T I, LEE, J R, FINLAYSON, A, GARCIA‐BAJO, M, and IRVING, A A. 2019. Examining the geometry, age and genesis of buried Quaternary valley systems in the Midland Valley of Scotland, UK. Boreas, 48, 658-677.
STEPHENSON, V, FINLAYSON, A, and MIRANDA MOREL, L. 2018. A risk-based approach to shelter resilience following flood and typhoon damage in rural Philippines. Geosciences, 8(2):76.
LAPWORTH, D J, DAS, P, SHAW, A, MUKHERJEE, A, CIVIL, W, PETERSEN, J O, GOODDY, D C, WAKEFIELD, O, FINLAYSON, A, KRISHAN, G, and SENGUPTA, P. 2018. Deep urban groundwater vulnerability in India revealed through the use of emerging organic contaminants and residence time tracers. Environmental pollution, 240,938-49.
FLETT, V, MAURICE, L, FINLAYSON, A, BLACK, A R, MACDONALD, AM, EVEREST, J, and KIRKBRIDE, M P. 2017. Meltwater flow through a rapidly deglaciating glacier and foreland catchment system: Virkisjökull, SE Iceland. Hydrology Research, 48(6):1666-81.
