James Brasington

PhD University of Cambridge
BSc University of Bristol

My interests lie at the intersection of geomorphology, hydrology and remote sensing and focus on understanding how rivers respond to environmental change.

My current research projects address three central questions:

1. How and why do rivers adjust and evolve in response to environmental change?

2. How can remote sensing offer new perspectives on the character, condition and evolution of rivers?

3. How does sediment transport drive flood risk and changing river values?

Recent Publications

Abell, J.M. et al. 2023. Large floodplain river restoration in New Zealand: synthesis and critical evaluation to inform restoration planning and research. Regional Environmental Change 23, 18.

Brierley, G. et al., 2022. Reanimating the strangled rivers of Aotearoa New Zealand. WIREs Water, e1613

Westerhoff, R. et al., 2022. Towards implementation of robust monitoring technologies alongside freshwater improvement policy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Environmental Science and Policy, 132, 1-12.

Batalla, R. et al., 2021. Hydropeaked rivers need attention. Environmental Research Letters, 16, 021001.

Reesink, A.J.H., 2021. Mean flow and turbulence structure over exposed roots on a forested floodplain: insights from a controlled laboratory experiement. PLOS ONE, e0229306.

External Links

Google Scholar
LinkedIn
ResearchGate
University of Canterbury

My research is at the forefront of developments to understand the links between river form, process and ecology. This research integrates theoretical and applied themes and focuses specifically on landscape dynamics over timescales of events-to-decades and spatial scales from bars-to-catchments. Key themes and recent publications include:

Geospatial modelling of river processes (Westerhoff et al., 2022; Belletti et al., 2022; Walley et al., 2020; Victoriano et al., 2018; Brasington, 2017; Ridolfi et al., 2016; Javernick, et al., 2014; Williams et al., 2015; Brasington et al., 2012; Westoby et al., 2012).

River response to environmental change (Brierley, et al., 2022; Batalla et al., 2021; Harvey et al., 2020; Brasington and Wheaton, 2019; Vericat et al., 2017; Vericat et al., 2014; Wheaton et al., 2013; 2010; Rychkov et al., 2012; Brasington et al., 2003);

Multiscale fluvial simulation modelling (Reesink et al., 2020; Kasprak et al., 2019; Connor-Streich et al., 2018; Williams et al., 2016; 2014; 2013; Javernick et al., 2015; Westoby et al., 2015).

Current Research Projects

Bathymetric modelling of shallow freshwater bodies with short-wave small footprint aerial lidar. MBIE NZ Endeavour Smart Idea, 2021-2023.

Modelling the river response to climate and anthropogenic forcing. Fish Futures, MBIE NZ Endeavour Research Programme, 2021-2026.

Fine sediment transport in braided rivers. Smarter Targeting of Erosion Control, MBIE NZ Endeavour Research Programme, 2019-2023.

Towards a National Guideline for Works in Waterways. MBIE NZ Envirolink Tools, 2022-2024.

Publication Record

Google Scholar Profile
UC Research Profile

I have taught broadly across hydrology, geomorphology and remote sensing for over 20 years. My approach to teaching aims to engage students by exploring theory from first principles and experimentation and embedding knowledge through practical experience. I have taught in a wide range of institutions in the UK and NZ, and led short professional courses across the world. At the Waterways Centre I currently coordinate and/or contribute to the following courses:

WATR203 Field methods in Freshwater Science
WATR410 Catchment Systems
WATR412 Hydrological Extremes
WATR691 Water Science and Management Project

Externally, I also teach professional development courses on geomorphic change detection and modelling remotely sensing of river environments – see: gcd.riverscapes.xyz.

I have supervised 17 doctoral students to the successful conclusion of their thesis at universities in NZ, the UK and USA. I often have grant-funded positions available for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and am looking to recruit candidates with strong academic backgrounds in the Earth, environmental and physical sciences or engineering who enjoy complex problems and thinking creatively.

My current lab group is working across a wide range of river science projects at the forefront of developments in remote sensing, geomorphology and environmental change.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Justin Stout: Fluvial Geomorphology and Remote Sensing
Michael Pingram: Freshwater Ecology and Data Science
Vacant: Numerical modelling of river response to environmental change

Graduate Students

Justin Rogers: Modelling fine sediment dispersal in braided rivers
Martin Nguyen: Uncertainty estimation in flood inundation modelling
Marissa Dudek: Estimating longitudinal streamflow losses and gains with SWOT satellite observations
Vacant: National scale modelling of river character and condition through archival remote sensing
Hugh Blake-Manson: Digital water technologies for drinking water distribution systems
Karina Kelly: Investigating the effectiveness of restoration techniques in high country streams