Prof Bryn Hubbard
BA Geography (University of Oxford) PhD (University of Cambridge)
Professor
Department of Geography and Earth Sciences
Contact Details
- Email: byh@aber.ac.uk
- ORCID: 0000-0002-3565-3875
- Office: J9, Llandinam Building
- Phone: +44 (0) 1970 622783
- Personal Website: http://users.aber.ac.uk/byh/
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=QR9bqvkAAAAJ
- Research Portal Profile
Profile
2022- 2025 Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences
2020-2022 Director of Research, Department of Geography & Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University.
2011- Professor, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University.
2009-2022 Director of the Centre for Glaciology, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University.
2013-16 Director of Research, Institute of Geography, History, Politics and Psychology, Aberystwyth University.
2011-16 Director of Research, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University.
2005-2011 Reader in Glaciology. Centre for Glaciology, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, UW Aberystwyth.
2001-2004 Senior Lecturer in Glaciology. Centre for Glaciology, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, UW Aberystwyth.
1994-2000 Lecturer in Glaciology. Centre for Glaciology, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, UW Aberystwyth.
1992-1994 Post-doctoral Research Associate. Department of Geography, University of Cambridge. ('Water storage, drainage evolution and water quality in Alpine glacial environments').
1988-1992 Ph.D. Glaciology. Fitzwilliam College and Department of Geography, University of Cambridge ('Basal ice facies and their formation in the western Alps').
1983-1986 B.A. Geography (First Class). Christ Church and School of Geography, University of Oxford.
Additional Information
Community activities include:
2022- , Chair: Publications Committee of International Glaciological Society
2018-21, UK Correspondent: International Association of Cryospheric Sciences.
2016-, Core Member: Natural Environment Research Council's Peer Review College.
2000-20, UK Correspondent: International Glaciological Society.
2016-19, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
2013-16, Editor of Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
2010-13, Associate Editor of Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
Teaching
Module Coordinator
Lecturer
Coordinator
Research
Research Interests
Current research interests (summarized here: https://users.aber.ac.uk/byh/) include:
- Using pressurized hot-water to drill boreholes into glaciers to investigate ice properties and englacial and basal processes
- Links between subglacial drainage and ice motion via borehole access.
- Ice shelf structure and ice characteristics, including ice coring and hot-water drilling.
- The physical character of glacier ice and basal ice.
- Optical televiewing (OPTV) of boreholes in glaciers, ice sheets and ice shelves.
- Technique development: Tsanfleuron Glacier, Switzerland & King Baudouin Ice Shelf, Antarctica
- Structural glaciology and sediment transfer: Midre Lovénbreen, Svalbard, Khumbu Glacier, Nepal, & Larsen C Ice Shelf, Antarctica
- Ice shelf structure: Roi Baudouin Ice Shelf & Larsen C Ice Shelf, Antarctica.
- Ice sheet structure: NEEM deep borehole, Greenland.
- Ice stream processes: Store Glacier, Greenland.
- Basal ice physical properties and processes of formation and deformation.
- The structure and dynamics of glacial lakes and drainage systems.
- The physical character of subglacial sediment.
- The occurrence and character of glacier-like forms on Mars.
Research experience includes leading or participating in ~100 field campaigns over 35 years at glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbard, the European Alps, Peru, Nepal, the Canadian Rockies, Norway, and the Canadian Arctic.
In brief:
I am a field glaciologist studying the internal structure of ice masses to advance our knowledge of their 3D composition and dynamics. To achieve this, I use geophysical instruments to measure various material properties along boreholes usually drilled by hot, pressurized water. The resulting datasets inform computer models, implemented by international collaborators, to predict future changes in Earth's ice masses under different climate-change scenarios. Understanding these responses is crucial for evaluating the impact of climate change on sea levels, global water resources, and hazard development. These projections ensure we are better equipped to develop effective strategies to prepare for, and address, future environmental challenges.