Gillian Donaldson-Selby

Peatland Hydrologist
Information and Computational Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)
Gillian has a Masters in Environment and Development from the Centre for Environment, Agriculture and Development, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Following graduation she worked as a Landscape modeller / Environmental consultant in South Africa until joining the Institute in December 2009. On joining the Institute her responsibilities included Landscape and Marine model development, project research, and Virtual Landscape Theatre (VLT) operation and presentation. She is now part of the peatland team where her principal role is that of peatland hydrologist.

Research

Gillian’s past research interests largely focused on the application of landscape visualization in public participation and environmental problem solving, including landscapes, river rehabilitation, peatlands, natural flood management (NFM) and onshore / offshore renewables. Some of Gillian’s landscape visualizations have been used in urban greening exercises in South Africa, as well as Scottish government sponsored RESAS work packages and Green Health projects in Scotland. In 2017 she transferred into peatland research specialising in peatland hydrology and is currently completing a PhD investigating the effectivity of restoration in eroded upland peatlands, focusing on examining and understanding hydrological dynamics and potential trajectories.

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