Dr Liam Taylor

Profile

I am a lecturer with a specialised interest in glaciology and remote sensing. My research focuses on applying novel remote sensing techniques to monitor small glaciers in the tropical Andes. I aim to identify ways to quantify contemporary ice dynamics and patterns of change in areas where remote sensing traditionally struggles. By developing bespoke approaches, I hope to provide insights to data-scarce regions which are often characterised by high uncertainty in global datasets. I also develop low-cost remote sensing techniques to develop new early warning systems for glacier-related hazards. 

My teaching work involves using, and developing, new and emerging technologies to enhance student education across the Geography Higher Education curriculum. At Leeds, I have led virtual reality projects in schools across the UK to highlight the impact of climate change and inspire climate action in the classroom. I am currently working on a project to capture 360° media to create ‘digital twins’ of fieldwork sites for use across the Undergraduate curriculum. 

Responsibilities

• BSc Geography and BSc Geography & Geology Programme Lead

Research interests

My glaciology research is focussed on identifying novel methods for monitoring mountain glaciers, particularly in the Peruvian Andes. My PhD research aimed to investigate how new satellites or processing techniques can acquire surface elevation change over very small glaciers in steep terrain which are most difficult to observe, in order to quantify their rate of thinning and recession. I am applying these techniques to identify glacier surge events through surface elevation change and filling data gaps in understudied regions. I am also developing low-cost sensors, based on the Raspberry Pi computer, to monitor glacier calving using photogrammetry with real-time data processing and transmission to be used in the early warning of hazards. My current research is looking to further this research by deploying further low-cost sensors across glacier sites most vulnerable to sudden collapse to better identify the precursors to these events. 

My pedagogical research is focused on how extended reality technologies can enhance Geographical teaching in Higher Education. I’m particularly interested in how digital approaches can be used to complement and enhance physical fieldtrips. 

PGR Supervision

Holly Addis (2024-2028) – PhD (Co-Supervisor) – Large-scale developmental dynamics of northern peatlands

Hannah Barnett (2023 – 2027) – PhD (Main Supervisor) – Remote sensing as a tool to detect sudden glacier detachment events

Connie Harpur (2023 – 2026) – PhD (Co-Supervisor) – Controls on short-term calving glacier dynamics

Rebecca White (2023 – 2024) – MbR (Main Supervisor) – Investigating the influence of proglacial lakes on New Zealand mountain glacier dynamics

Qualifications

• PhD Glaciology, University of Leeds
• MSc by Research Geography, University of Leeds
• BSc Geography, University of Exeter

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)

Student education

I teach across the Geography curriculum under the themes of climate change, environmental hazards, climate policy, digital skills, glaciology, and remote sensing.

I work closely with the Curriculum Redefined project to develop new approaches to teaching in Geography, particularly with extended reality and digital technologies.

Research groups and institutes

• River Basin Processes and Management

Current postgraduate researchers

• Hannah