CURRICULUM VITAE

DAWN THERESA NICHOLSON

B.Sc, M.LD, Ph.D, PGCLTHE, MA, CMLI, FGS, FRGS, FHEA, MIQ

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

B.Sc (Hons) Geography and Geology, 1986, University of Lancaster

M.LD Master of Landscape Design, 1988, Manchester University

Institute of Quarrying Professional Qualification 1993 (Distinction), Doncaster College of Higher Education (distance learning).

Ph.D Engineering Geology 2000, University of Leeds

PGC(TLHE) Postgraduate Certificate of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 2002, Open University

MA Academic Practice 2010 (Distinction), Manchester Metropolitan University

Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute - CMLI (Chartered Landscape Architect)

Fellow of the Geological Society - FGS

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society - FRGS

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy - FHEA

Member of the Institute of Quarrying - MIQ

AWARDS AND PRIZES

Marston Prize for the best technical presentation to a branch (Lancashire) of the Institute of Quarrying (2001)

Ruston Bucyrus Award for the best technical paper published in ‘Quarry Management’ (1995)

Ransomes and Rapier Award (First Prize) for the best ‘Quarry Engineering’ paper in the Institute of Quarrying Professional Examination (1993)

Scholarship to participate in the International Landscape Design and Planning Seminar held at West Berlin Technological University (1988)

Gillespie - Beaumont Landscape Student Prize, Manchester University (1988)

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Sep 2004-present: Senior Learning and Teaching Fellow Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University. Click here for current teaching.

Oct 2001-Sep 2004: Senior Lecturer (physical geography and e-learning), Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Sep 2000-Oct 2001: Faculty Project Officer (Earth and Environment Faculty) C and IT in the Curriculum Project, University of Leeds

Sep 1994-2000: PhD Research in Engineering Geology, School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds

Sep 1999-Jan 2000: Lecturer, (engineering geology, temporary cover) School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds

Nov 1997-Dec 1999: Research Assistant (Teaching), later Senior Project Assistant, (open and distance learning) School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds

1996-7: Freelance geoscience consultancy (short term work)

July 1992-July 1995: Senior Environmental Scientist (Landscape), Wardell Armstrong Consultants

Nov 1991-July 1992: Senior Landscape Architect, St Helens MBC, Project Management

Sep 1990-Nov 1991: Planning Officer (Minerals), Minerals and Waste Unit, Cheshire CC

Oct 1988-Sep 1990: Environmental Consultant, Cobham Resource Consultants

June-Sep 1987: Landscape Assistant (vacation post), Donaldson Edwards Partnership Ltd

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research: Periglacial geomorphology Weathering, morphology and slope processes in periglacial environments and on exposed ice-marginal bedrock; weathering indices for relative age dating of moraines. Rock weathering Fracture development; weathering processes in cold environments and beneath late-lying snowpatches; weathering and landform evolution. Excavated and natural rockslopes Weathering and rock mass deterioration processes; rock mass classification; slope hazard assessment. Pedagogical Online and blended learning; inclusive curriculum design; research-informed teaching; formative assessment and assessment criteria.

OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Full, clean driving licence; car/motorcycle owner; advanced motorcyclist; PCV minibus license.
ECDL; Advanced Internet Certificate and HTML Certificate (I.D.E.A, MiiD and City College Manchester); web authoring (Dreamweaver); graphic design (Adobe Illustrator); SPSS and other analytical software.
British Sign Language Level 2; CACDP Foundation Certificate in Deaf Studies.
Basic French and Spanish
Current HSE First Aid at Work certificate (University First Aider) and qualified AED user.
Qualified SAA SCUBA diver to Dive Leader and Open Water Instructor, with certificates of competence in diver first aid, diver rescue, oxygen administration, basic boathandling, VHF radio operation, archaeological diving, chartwork and navigation.

HOBBIES

Hiking - swimming (including open water) - motorcycling

Challenges forthcoming / under way: Great North Swim (2010), Wainwright Challenge (2010-11),
National Three Peaks (2011), Mt. Kilimanjaro (2012)

RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS

Asturias, Northern Spain (1987, 1988, 1991 and 1993): Assistance with research and supervision of undergraduate dissertations (interpretation of periglacial deposits; topographic survey and debris flow history; karst studies and cave formation; geological mapping in limestone terrain; hydrologic studies).
Iceland (Summer 1999, July 2002, and 2011 planned): Relative age dating of proglacial moraines at Falljokull, south east Iceland, using weathering indices and lichenometry. Application of weathering indices to date ice-marginal rock outcrops at Hoffelsjokull and evaluation of weathering processes and morphology in a cold environment. Joint research expeditions in association with Liverpool University (1999) and Liverpool John Moores University (1999 and 2002).

Norway (Summer 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008): Investigation of weathering-induced fracturing, frost weathering morphology and slope processes on Hardangervidda plateau.

FIELD TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Jostedals and Jotunheimen, Norway (summer 2006 and 2008): Third year undergraduate geomorphology fieldwork (glacial and periglacial geomrophology; weathering and slopes; human impacts, resources and hazards in a mountain environment).
Fort William, Scotland (1996, 2006-2010): Second year undergraduate physical geography fieldwork (glacial geomorphology, mass movement studies).
County Kerry, Ireland (2002, 2003 and 2004): Second year undergraduate physical geography fieldwork.
Tunisia (1994 and 1996): Assistance with second year Physical Environment field module for B.Sc (Hons) Physical Geography (coastal, desert and fluvial geomorphology, biogeography, applied geography).
Fieldwork demonstrating at the University of Leeds: Lake District 4-day Rock Engineering course (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000); MSc (Engineering Geology) day trips to Robin Hoods Bay and Ilkley Quarry (1998,1999).
County Clare, Ireland (1984, 1987 and 1992): Assistance with undergraduate field studies (limestone dissolution, soil carbon dioxide studies and cave formation)

PUBLICATIONS

See separate page Click here