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University of Oxford
School of Geography and the Environment

 School of Geography and the Environment

Dr Stephan Harrison

Academic Profile

Dr Harrison is a Senior Visiting Research Associate in the School of Geography and the Environment, formerly a College Lecturer at Keble College and St Edmund Hall and Associate Professor in Quaternary Science at the University of Exeter in Cornwall.

Current Research

Dr Stephan Harrison has a PhD in Quaternary Science and 25 years research experience in climate change and mountain geomorphology. He has worked for twelve field seasons on the glaciers of Patagonia, five field seasons in the Tien Shan mountains of Kazakhstan and in Norway, Iceland and the Himalaya on landscape responses to climate change. From this, Stephan has published over 100 refereed papers and book chapters. He is a member of the Environmental Research Groups of the Institute of Actuaries and the Emergency Planning Society and has advised, and given invited presentations to, UK, Indian, Georgian, Chilean and Romanian Governmental organisations on climate change adaptation and impacts.

Dr Harrison is also interested in business responses to, and understandings of, climate change. He is Director of the specialist climate science consultancy Climate Change Risk Management and they have worked with Lloyd's insurance market, the UK FCO and other international institutions on climate change.

Selected publications since 2000

Books and edited collections:
  • Knight, J. and Harrison, S. (eds.) (2009) Periglacial and Paraglacial Processes and Environments. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, Volume 320. ISBN 978-1-86239-6. 272pp.
  • Harrison, S., Richards, K.S. and Massey, D. (eds.) (2008) Conversations Across the Divide. Special Issue of Geoforum, 39.
  • Harrison, S., Pile, S. and Thrift, N.J. (eds.) (2004) Patterned Ground: Ecologies of nature and culture, Reaktion, London. ISBN 186191814, 304pp.
  • Harrison, S. and Mighall, T. (eds.) (2002) The Quaternary of Southwest Ireland. Quaternary Research Association, Cambridge 156pp. ISBN 0907780539.
  • Schröder, H., Harrison, S., Passmore, D.G., Severskiy, I., Veselov, V. and Glazirin, G. (2002) Assessment of renewable ground and surface water resources and the impact of economic activity on runoff in the basin of the Ili River, Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakh Academy of Sciences, Almaty, 314pp.
  • Harrison, S. and Tipping, R.M. (eds.) (1994) The Geomorphology and Late Quaternary Evolution of the Cheviot Hills. British Geomorphological Research Group, Spring Meeting Field Guide. 106pp. ISBN 1859240178.
Papers:
  • Keiler, M., Knight, J. and Harrison, S. (2010) Climate change and geomorphological hazards in the eastern European Alps. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, A, 368: 2461-2479.
  • Harrison, S., Bailey, R., Anderson, E., Arnold, L. and Douglas, T.D. (2010) Optical dates from British Isles solifluction sheets suggests rapid landscape response to Late Pleistocene climate change. Scottish Geographical Journal, 126: 101-111.
  • Knight, J. and Harrison, S. (2009) Sediments and future climate. Nature GeoScience, 2(4): 230.
  • Harrison, S. and Stainforth, D.A. (2009) Predicting climate change: lessons from emergence, reductionism and the past. Eos, AGU, 90(13): 111-112.
  • Glasser, N.F., Harrison, S. and Jansson, K. (2009) Topographic controls on glacier sediment-landform associations around the temperate North Patagonian Icefield. Quaternary Science Reviews, 28: 2817-2832.
  • Harrison, S. (2009) Climate sensitivity: implications for the response of mountain geomorphological systems to future climate change. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 320: 257-265.
  • Knight, J. and Harrison, S. (2009) Periglacial and paraglacial environments: a view from the past into the future. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 320: 1-4.
  • Simpson, M.C., Scott, D., New, M., Sim, R., Smith, D., Harrison, M., Eakin, C.M., Warrick, R., Strong, A.E., Kouwenhoven, P., Harrison, S., Wilson, M., Nelson, G.C., Donner, S., Kay, R., Geldhill, D.K., Liu, G., Morgan, J.A., Kleypas, J.A., Mumby, P.J., Christensen, T.R.L., Baskett, M.L., Skirving, W.J., Elrick, C., Taylor, M., Bell, J., Rutty, M., Burnett, J.B., Overmas, M., Robertson, R., and Stager, H. (2009) An overview of modeling climate change impacts in the Caribbean region with contribution from the Pacific Islands. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Barbados, West Indies, 217pp.
  • Harrison, S. and Lettenmaier, D. (2009) Snow Trends. Invited paper in, 3rd United Nations World Water Development Report, UNESCO/WMO, Paris, 181-210.
  • Aizen, V., Harrison, S., Li, X., Severskiy, I., Singh, P. and Yao, T. (2009) Trends in Glaciers. Invited paper in, 3rd United Nations World Water Development Report, UNESCO/WMO, Paris, 181-210.
  • Glasser, N.F., Jansson, K., Harrison, S. and Kleman, J. (2008) The glacial geomorphology and Pleistocene history of southern South America between 38°S and 56°S. Quaternary Science Reviews, 27: 365-390.
  • Fretwell, P., Smith, D.E. and Harrison, S. (2008) The Last Glacial Maximum British-Irish Ice Sheet: a reconstruction using digital terrain mapping. Journal of Quaternary Science, 23: 241-248.
  • Harrison, S., Whalley, B. and Anderson, E. (2008) Rock glaciers in the British Isles: implications for Late Pleistocene mountain geomorphology and palaeoclimate. Journal of Quaternary Science, 23: 287-304.
  • Harrison, S., Massey, D. and Richards, K.S. (2008) Conversations across the divide. Geoforum, 39: 549-551.
  • Harrison, S., Glasser, N.F., Haresign, E., Winchester, V., Warren, C.R., Duller, G.A.T., Ivy-Ochs, S., Jansson, K., Bailey, R. and Kubik, P. (2008) Glaciar Leon, Chilean Patagonia: Late Holocene chronology and geomorphology. The Holocene, 18: 643-652.
  • Harrison, S. (2008) Climate change and regional security: assessing the scientific uncertainties. Journal of the Royal United Services Institute, 153: 161-168.
  • Harrison, S., Winchester, V. and Glasser, N.F. (2007) The timing and nature of recession of outlet glaciers of Hielo Patagónico Norte, Chile, from their Neoglacial IV (Little Ice Age) maximum positions. Global and Planetary Change, 59: 67-78.
  • Glasser, N.F., Harrison, S., Ivy-Ochs, S. and Duller, G. (2006) Evidence from the Rio Bayo valley on the extent of the North Patagonian Icefield during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Quaternary Research, 65: 70-77.
  • Glasser, N.F., Jansson, K., Mitchell, W.A. and Harrison, S. (2006) Geomorphology and sedimentology of the Tempanos moraines, Laguna San Rafael, North Patagonian Icefield. Journal of Quaternary Science, 21: 1-15.
  • Harrison, S., Glasser, N.F., Winchester, V., Haresign, E., Warren, C.R. and Jansson, K.N. (2006) A glacial lake outburst flood associated with recent mountain glacier retreat, Patagonian Andes. The Holocene, 16(4): 611-620.
  • Harrison, S., Anderson, E. and Patel, D. (2006) The eastern margin of glaciation in the British Isles during the Younger Dryas: the Bizzle cirque, Cheviot Hills, southern Scotland. Geografiska Annaler, 88(3): 199-207.
  • Anderson, E. and Harrison, S. (2006) Late Quaternary paraglacial sedimentation in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, southwest Ireland. Irish Geography, 39: 69-77.
  • Harrison, S. (2006) Recession of mountain glaciers and global climate change. In, Dow, K. and Downing,T.E. (eds.) Atlas of Climate Change. Earthscan. pp. 38-40.
  • Harrison, S., Massey, D. and Richards, K.S. (2006) Complexity and emergence (another conversation). Area, 38: 465-471.
  • Schröder, H., Kokarev, A. and Harrison, S. (2005) Rock glaciers in the northern Tien Shan, Kazakhstan: new data on movement rates and distribution. Glacial Geology and Geomorphology, rp01.
  • Aniya, M., Satow, K., Skvarca, P., Anma, R., Aoki, T., Sawagaki, T., Tanikawa, T., Naruse, R., Glasser, N. and Harrison, S. (2005) Overview of glaciological research projects in Patagonia, 2003. Bulletin of Glaciological Research, 22: 109-119.
  • Harrison, S. (2005) Climate change: a case study from Kazakhstan. Soundings: a journal of politics and culture, 30: 85-97.
  • Harrison, S. and Washington, R. (2005) Climate change: listening to the scientists. Environmental Finance, 6: 26-27.
  • Glasser, N.F. and Harrison, S. (2005) Subglacial sliding of till over abraded bedrock landforms (whalebacks), Lago Tranquilo, Chile. Geografiska Annaler, 87(3): 421-430.
  • Harrison, S., Winchester, V., Warren, C.R. and Passmore, D.G. (2005) Quantifying rates of paraglacial sedimentation: an example from Chilean Patagonia. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, 49(3): 321-334.
  • Winchester, V., Harrison, S. and Bailey, R. (2005) A 2.5 ka luminescence date for a terminal moraine in the Leones valley, southern Chile. Journal of Glaciology, 51(172): 186-188.
  • Glasser, N.F., Jansson, K.N., Harrison, S. and Rivera, A. (2005) Geomorphological evidence for variations of the North Patagonian Icefield during the Holocene. Geomorphology, 71: 263-277.
  • Harrison, S., Jansson, K. and Glasser, N.F. (2005) Reconstructing palaeoclimates in southern South America: the role of geomorphological mapping. Bulletin of the Society of Cartographers, 39: 29-34.
  • Harrison, S. (2005) Climate change, future conflict and the role of climate science. Journal of the Royal United Services Institute, 150(6): 18-23.
  • Anderson, E., Harrison, S., Passmore, D.G., Mighall, T. and Wathan, S. (2004) Late Quaternary river terrace development in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, southwest Ireland. Quaternary Science Reviews, 23: 1785-1801.
  • Harrison, S., Massey, D., Richards, K.S., Magilligan, F., Thrift, N.J. and Bender, B. (2004) Thinking across the divide: perspectives on the conversations between physical and human geography. Area, 36: 435-442.
  • Glasser, N.F., Harrison, S., Winchester, V. and Aniya, M. (2004) Late Pleistocene and Holocene palaeoclimate and glacier fluctuations in Patagonia. Global and Planetary Change, 43: 79-101.
  • Harrison, S. (2004) Mountains. In, Harrison, S., Pile, S. and Thrift, N.J. (eds.) Patterned Ground: entanglements of nature and culture, Reaktion, London. pp. 289-291.
  • Harrison, S., Pile, S. and Thrift, N.J. (2004) Grounding patterns: deciphering (dis)order in the entanglements of nature and culture. In, Harrison, S., Pile, S. and Thrift, N.J. (eds.) Patterned Ground: entanglements of nature and culture, Reaktion, London. pp. 15-42.
  • Harrison, S., Glasser, N.F. and Aniya, M. (2004) Morphostratigraphy of moraines in the Lago Tranquilo area, Chilean Patagonia. Bulletin of Glaciological Research, 21: 37-43.
  • Rae, A., Harrison, S., Mighall, T. and Dawson, A.G. (2004) Periglacial trimlines and former nunataks of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in the vicinity of the gap of Dunloe, southwest Ireland. Journal of Quaternary Science, 19: 87-97.
  • Harrison, S. (2003) The Pleistocene glaciations of Chile. In, J. Ehlers and P. Gibbard (eds.) Pleistocene Glaciations: Extent and Chronology. INQUA Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 89-103.
  • Harrison, S. (2002) Glacial and Mountain Environments: landscape responses to glacier retreat. In, H. Viles and A. Rogers (eds.) The Student's Companion to Geography, 2nd Edition. Blackwell. pp. 49-54.
  • Dawson, A.G., Hampton, S.R., Fretwell, P.T., Harrison, S. and Greengrass, P.A. (2002) Defining the centre of glacio-isostatic uplift of the last Scottish ice sheet: the parallel roads of Glen Roy, Scottish Highlands. Journal of Quaternary Science, 17: 527-535.
  • Harrison, S., Passmore, D.G. and Severskiy, I. (2002) Post-Little Ice Age fluctuations of the Tuyuksu Glacier, Zailiiskiy Alatau, Tian Shan mountains, Kazakhstan. In, Schröder, H., Harrison, S., Passmore, D.G., Severskiy, I., Veselov, V. and Glazirin, G. (eds.) Assessment of renewable ground and surface water resources and the impact of economic activity on runoff in the basin of the Ili River, Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakh Academy of Sciences, Almaty, pp. 280-287.
  • Passmore, D.G., Harrison, S., Rae, A., Winchester, V., New, M., Severskiy, I. and Pimankina, N. (2002) Recent historic debris flows and valley floor development in the Northern Zailiiskiy Alatau, Tian Shan mountains, Kazakhstan. In, Schröder, H., Harrison, S., Passmore, D.G., Severskiy, I., Veselov, V. and Glazirin, G. Assessment of renewable ground and surface water resources and the impact of economic activity on runoff in the basin of the Ili River, Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakh Academy of Sciences, Almaty, pp. 288-307.
  • Harrison, S. (2002) Lithological variability of Quaternary slope deposits in the Cheviot Hills, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 113: 121-139.
  • Harrison, S., Anderson, E. and Passmore, D.G. (2001) Further glacial tills on Exmoor, southwest England: implications for small ice cap and valley glaciation. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 112(1): 1-5.
  • Harrison, S. (2001) Speculations on the glaciation of Dartmoor. Quaternary Newsletter, 93: 15-26.
  • Winchester, V., Harrison, S., and Warren, C.R. (2001) Recent retreat Glaciar Nef, Chilean Patagonia, dated by lichenometry and dendrochronology. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 33(3): 266-273.
  • Harrison, S. and Anderson, E. (2001) A relict rock glacier of Late Devensian age, Nantle valley, North Wales. Journal of Glacial Geology and Geomorphology.
  • Warren, C.R., Benn, D.I., Winchester, V. and Harrison, S. (2001) Buoyancy-driven lacustrine calving, Glaciar Nef, Chilean Patagonia. Journal of Glaciology, 47(156): 135-146.
  • Harrison, S. (2001) On reductionism and emergence in geomorphology. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 26(3): 327-339.
  • Harrison, S., Warren, C.R., Winchester, V. and Aniya, M. (2001) Onset of rapid calving and retreat of Glaciar San Quintin, Hielo Patagónico Norte, southern Chile. Polar Geography, 25(1): 54-61.
  • Anderson, E., Harrison, S. and Passmore, D.G. (2001) A late-glacial protalus rampart in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, south-west Ireland. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 19: 43-50.
  • Harrison, S. and Winchester, V. (2000) Nineteenth- and twentieth-century glacier fluctuations and climatic implications in the Arco and Colonia valleys Hielo Patagónico Norte, Chile. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 32(1): 54-63.
  • Winchester, V. and Harrison, S. (2000) Dendrochronology and lichenometry: colonization, growth rates and dating of geomorphological events on the east side of the North Patagonian Icefield, Chile. Geomorphology, 34(3-4): 181-194.
  • Anderson, E., Harrison, S., Passmore, D.G. and Mighall, T. (2000) Holocene alluvial fan development in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, southwest Ireland. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 112(12): 1834-1849.
  • Harrison, S. (2000) Glacier mass balance and climate. In, Hancock P.L. and Skinner B.J. (eds.) Oxford Companion to the Earth. Oxford University Press. pp. 450-452.
  • Harrison, S. (2000) Ice sheets and climate. In, Hancock P.L. and Skinner B.J. (eds.) Oxford Companion to the Earth. Oxford University Press. pp. 530-531.