Calum Hoad

Background

About Calum Hoad

I'm a PhD researcher within the University of Edinburgh's School of GeoSciences, using imagery from satellites and drones to better understand Arctic vegetation change. I'm passionate about teaching and science outreach, a skilled visual communicator, and I hold significant experience travelling and working outdoors in Arctic and alpine environments.Research: I use optical data from satellites and drones to better understand Arctic vegetation change. In particular, I am interested in the sensitivity of Arctic greening analyses to changing abiotic phenomena and how this sensitivity may scale with spatial and temporal resolution. To date, I have focussed my PhD on the impact late-lying snow patches have on the vegetation metrics central to Arctic greening analyses. My research has included two field seasons, in the Canadian sub-Arctic Yukon (2022, 10 weeks) and the Arctic tundra of Western Greenland (2023, 5 weeks).Outreach:I’m passionate about science outreach and have successfully applied for funding, lead the development of, and delivered outreach projects throughout my PhD. In May 2024, I was awarded the UK Space Agency and SENSE CDT award for best science outreach.Teaching:Teaching has been a central and enjoyable component of my PhD. I have taught on a variety of courses throughout my time at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on GIS, Earth Observation and Remote Sensing, Science Outreach and Communication, and practical skills in Ecology and Physical Geography. Courses have been both class and field-based and I am comfortable teaching in both environments with a range of methods and technologies. I am currently working towards the Edinburgh Teaching Award, both to reflect on my teaching practice and to gain official recognition of my experience to date.