Dr Amber Leeson
Reader in GlaciologyResearch Overview
Amber is a glaciologist and her main research interest is the impact of climate change on the Greenland and Antarctic Ice sheets. She is an expert in ice sheet surface processes and uses numerical modelling, remote sensing and data science tools to understand their role in the ice sheet system in the current climate, and how this might change in a future, warming, world.
Current Research
Current research projects are themed around three main areas:
- Ice sheet surface climate and it's representation in models.
- Supraglacial hydrology and it's impact on ice sheet dynamics.
- Firn and it's evolution in the past, present and future.
These are synthesised in work around digital twinning of the ice sheets and data science approaches to modelling ice sheet change.
External Roles
Amber has previously been the treasurer for the , a member of the American Geosciences Union () Cryosphere Committee, early career representative to the UK National Committee for Antarctic Research () and Associate Editor for the . She is currently:
- Treasurer of the
- Secretary of the International Glaciological Society
Current Teaching
Amber teaches on LEC321 Glacial Systems, LEC103 Environmental Processes and Systems and LEC378 Global Change in the Earth System. She also supervises undergaduate and masters dissertations in Polar Science.
Professional Role
Amber is currently Associate Director for Research in Lancaster Environment Centre.
She has previously been:
Senior Admissions Tutor for our Environmental and Earth Sciences degrees
Theme Lead for Environment in the Data Science Institute (DSI)
Co-theme Lead for Ice and Water in the Centre for Excellence in Environmental Data Science ()
01/01/2025 → 31/12/2026
Research
27/11/2024 → 26/11/2027
Research
13/11/2024 → 12/11/2026
Research
06/02/2024 → 05/02/2026
Research
01/02/2024 → 31/10/2027
Research
01/01/2024 → 30/06/2027
Research
23/11/2022 → 22/05/2024
Research
01/10/2022 → 31/03/2026
Research
31/03/2022 → 30/03/2023
Research
19/11/2020 → 18/11/2022
Research
01/10/2020 → 28/02/2026
Research
15/09/2020 → 14/09/2021
Research
01/09/2020 → 31/12/2024
Research
15/11/2019 → 15/10/2022
Research
16/09/2019 → 15/05/2023
Research
16/04/2018 → 15/04/2024
Research
02/06/2017 → 12/03/2018
Research
Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science
Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science
Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science
Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science
- Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science
- DSI - Environment
- Geospatial Data Science