Dr Tom Bradwell

Senior Lecturer

Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Tom Bradwell

Contact details

About me

I am an interdisciplinary geoscientist specialising in Quaternary geology and geomorphology. My research expertise lies in reconstructing landscape and environmental change, onshore and offshore, using geomorphological, geophysical and Quaternary dating methods. I use a range of analytical tools and techniques to understand, quantify and predict rates of ice-sheet and sea-level change. I collaborate widely with international researchers including numerical modellers, geochronologists, oceanographers, social scientists and equipment developers.

Brief Biography

  • since 2023: Senior Lecturer (University of Stirling)
  • 2015-2022: Lecturer in Physical Geography (University of Stirling)
  • 2006-2015: Senior Scientist & Team Leader, British Geological Survey / Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Edinburgh
  • 2001-2006: Quaternary Geologist, British Geological Survey / Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Edinburgh
  • 2001: PDRA, University of Sheffield, BRITICE project
  • 1997-2001: PhD, University of Edinburgh, Geography (School of Natural Sciences)
  • 1994-1997: BSc (Hons., First Class), University of Liverpool, Earth Sciences

I am a geoscientist studying global change. My research focuses on some of the most pressing questions facing science and society today. I seek to understand rates of ice-sheet and sea-level change, past and present, and determine the long-term stability of ice sheets and ice shelves. My research over the last two decades has helped to enhance our understanding of the evolution and demise of former ice masses, and improve model predictions of ice-sheet and sea-level change.

My current / ongoing research includes:

  • Reconstructing the glaciation and sea-level history of Scotland and the surrounding continental shelf 

  • Measuring and understanding modern rates of glacier change in Iceland  

  • Non-destructive analysis and characterisation of Quaternary sediments

  • Refining geochronological (surface-exposure dating) techniques 

  • Understanding seabed substrate and loading history to advance offshore wind-turbine siting and carbon sequestration science

  • Expanding the evidence base for rapid sea-level change

  • Mapping seabed disturbance in Marine Protected Areas

CURRENT PhD STUDENTS (all as primary supervisor):

Ania Kurop - Rapid deglaciation and sea-level change on the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. (Funded by NERC-IAPETUS2)

Jodie Geldard - Surge Forth: Understanding glacier dynamics where the Highlands meet the Lowlands. (Funded by NERC-IAPETUS2)

Neil McDonald – Getting to the bottom of ice shelves: High-resolution multi-proxy analysis of glaciomarine sediments preserved in The Minch, NW Scotland. (Funded by NERC-IAPETUS2)

FORMER PhD STUDENTS:

Allan Audsley – Scotland’s Pockmarks: Understanding the link between gas-escape features and buried carbon in fjordic systems (with John Howe, SAMS/UHI & John Baxter, SNH) [2018-2022].

Helena Stewart – Peat’s secret archive: North Atlantic storm frequency and volcanic eruption history over the last 10,000 years (with Bob McCulloch, Stirling & Jo Bullard, Loughborough) [2012-2016].

Henry Patton – Modelling the dynamic (in)stability of the last British-Irish Ice Sheet (co-supervised with Alun Hubbard, Aberystwyth & Nick Golledge) [2009-2012].

Kate McIntyre – Offshore records of ice extent and deglaciation, Loch Linnhe, western Scotland (co-supervised with John Howe, SAMS/UHI) [2008-2012].

Hannah Mathers – Constraining ice-sheet thickness and ice-stream collapse in NW Scotland using cosmogenic-isotope analysis (co-supervised with Derek Fabel, Glasgow) [2006-2014].

Sven Lukas – Younger Dryas moraines in the NW Highlands of Scotland: genesis, significance and potential modern analogues (co-supervised with Doug Benn, St Andrews) [2002-2005].

Award

Clough Memorial Award - Edinburgh Geological Society

Lewis Penny Medal - Quaternary Research Association

Divisional / Faculty Contribution

Advisor of Studies & Programme Director
BSc Environmental Geography

Committee Member
BES Learning & Teaching

Divisional Coordinator
Publicity & Open Days (undergraduate)

HEIs in Scotland - Heads of Geography
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Research & Knowledge Exchange Committee

Other Academic Activities

Honorary Research Fellow
British Geological Survey

Member
www.bluecarbon.scot
Scottish Blue Carbon Forum (Marine Scotland / Scottish Government)

Other Project

4SWIND (Research Council of Norway)
University of Bergen
International partner

Britice-Chrono (NERC / UKRI)
www.britice-chrono.org
Co-I & Transect leader

Professional Career

Earth Science Specialist

European Geoparks Network Coordination Committee (NW Scottish Highlands)

Associate Editor
Geografiska Annaler: Series A (Physical Geography)

Associate Editor
Scottish Geographical Journal

Committee Member
Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Medals and Awards Committee

Fellow or Member
Royal Geographical Society; Royal Scottish Geographical Society; British Society for Geomorphology; Quaternary Research Association; Scottish Association for Geosciences, Environment & Society; Marine Alliance for Science & Technology for Scotland

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes