About
Dr Jo Nield is a Professor in Aeolian Geomorphology with specific expertise in developing innovative field and computer modelling techniques for quantifying aeolian surface morphodynamics in both dune fields and dusty landscapes. She has pioneered the use of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to understand dynamic processes in aeolian environments, recognised by the Royal Geographical Society's Gill Memorial Award in 2016 for 'outstanding early career research in aeolian processes and arid landform development'. She frequently undertakes fieldwork in the desert regions of southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana), south-west US (California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, etc.) and South America (Chile) through funding support from NERC, NSF, NASA, EPSRC, National Geographic, Royal Society, Royal Geographical Society and the British Society for Geomorphology with both UK and International collaborators.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Dune Processes
- Salt pan dynamics
- Dust emissive surfaces
- Aeolian transport and surface feedbacks
- Using terrestrial laser scanning to link process with form change
Current research
Jo develops innovative techniques for quantifying aeolian surface morphodynamics in both dune fields and dusty landscapes. Current projects include a) fieldwork in Namibia and US to explore 'The Origin of Aeolian Dunes' (TOAD), funded by a joint NERC-NSF grant with co-investigators and project partners in the UK, US, Namibia and France, and b) fieldwork in Chile to quantify seasonal dust emisson through the NERC funded project 'Atacama Desert Dust Emission Research' (ADDER) with co-investigators and project partners in Chile, UK and Namibia.
https://cmg.soton.ac.uk/research/projects/the-origin-of-aeolian-dunes-toad/
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
Publications
Teaching
Jo teaches students about desert landscapes in the first and third year, and leads a second year field course to Tenerife as well as a third year field course to Namibia. She is also Programme Leader for the Geography BSc undergraduate degree.
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
Jo is currently a Professor in Aeolian Geomorphology. She first started at Southampton as a Lecturer in 2007. Prior to this she was a post doc at King's College London, supervised by Dr Andreas Baas. Jo completed her PhD at the University of Adelaide in Coastal Engineering in 2006 after studying Civil and Environmental Engineering and Physical and Inorganic Chemistry BSc degrees, also at the University of Adelaide.
Prizes
- Gill Memorial Award (2016)
- Michael J Kirkby Award, for excellence in reviewing for ESPL in 2008 (2009)
- Mike Clark Teaching Award (2011)
- Mike Clark Teaching Award (2020)
- Most Engaging Lecturer, Highly Commended (2020)
- Most Innovative/Creative Blackboard and Virtual Learning Environment Award, 2022 (2022)
- Mike Clark Teaching Award (2022)