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About Dr Servel Miller

I am a Geoscientist with a particular interest in the development and application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) on Natural Hazard Management. My research has focused mainly on regions of the Caribbean and United Kingdom, investigating the impact that major catastrophes (such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, landslides, tsunami and volcanoes) have on the development of cities, the economy and the environment. Beyond my work in the Natural Hazard Management field, I am also an active researcher into the role of mobile technologies (e.g. social media) on students' learning.

Teaching

I teach and assist on a variety of natural hazard, physical geography and research skills topics. Modules I assist with currently include:

  • GE4003 Foundations for Successful Studentship - particularly focusing on residential Digital Mapping and fieldwork components;
  • GE4006 People, Hazards and Resources - focusing on windstorm hazard;
  • GE5001 Hazard Processes and Human Vulnerability (Module Leader) - flood processes, management, policy and application of Geospatial technology;
  • GE5003/5010 Geomatics and Research Design (Module Leader) - focusing on Geospatial mapping techniques;
  • GE6001 Dissertation - supervise student projects and teaching session of Geospatial applications;
  • GE6003 Natural Hazard Assessment and Mitigation (Module Leader) – volcanic hazards, emergency management, risk communication, earthquake and tsunami hazard, conducting fieldtrip to Naples;
  • GE6009 Remote Sensing and GIS (Module Leader) - advanced GIS techniques

Research

My research focuses on the application of geospatial technology (including the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs)) and techniques to natural hazard assessment. 

Current Research

  • Mapping with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs): Application to Natural Hazard Management..
  • Application of Web 2.0 technology to hazard response simulation
  • Integrated geomorphological and geophysical investigations for site investigation in tropical coastal environments prone to multi-hazards,
  • Landslide Hazards Evaluation in Jamaica
  • Flood resilience in the UK 

Past projects

  • Landslide Mapping in NE Wales
  • Property Level Protection in the UK
  • Landslide susceptibility assessment in Eastern Jamaica
  • Volcanic ash cloud and its impact on the aviation industry
  • Tsunami Hazard assessment in Jamaica
  • Multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional approach to earthquake risk management in a seismically active region of Jamaica with Dr Lyndon Brown (Earthquake unit, University of the West Indies
  • Responding to discrimination: the geography and geometry of advice provision in England, Scotland and Wales

Awards:               

  • University of Chester Capacity Building grant
  • HEA Academy Early researcher grant
  • Netherlands Fellowship to pursue a Postgraduate studies
  • University of Chester Gladstone Fellowship to pursue a PhD

Published Work

Published Work

Degg, M. and Miller, S. (2015) Landslide Mapping and Impact in the Holywell Area of NE Wales. In Bevins, R., Nichol, D. & Basset, M.G. (Eds), Urban Geology in Wales: 4. National Museum of Wales Geological Series No. 27, Cardiff

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2015) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applied to landslide hazard zonation in the North Wales coalfield. In Bevins, R.,  Nichol, D. & Bassett, M.G. (Eds), Urban Geology in Wales: 4. National Museum of Wales Geological Series No. 27, Cardiff,

Miller, S., Welsh, K. and France D, (2015) Development of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Skills: Geoscience students Perception. : BELGEO – Special Publication. Université Libre de Bruxelles – Institut de Géographie (in press).

Miller, S. Shalkowski, A, Harris, N., Richards, D. &Lyndon Brown, L. (2015) Landslides in Jamaica: Distribution, Cause, Impact and Management. Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards. Taylor Francis (in press)

Morris, C., Miller, S. (2014) Coastal Landslide Mapping of the Black Ven Spittles Complex, Charmouth Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society, 01/2014; 135:165.

Miller, S. Leszczyńska, M., (2014) Evaluation of the use high resolution satellite imagery to map slope instability in a tropical environment: St. Thomas, Jamaica. Vilnius Proceeding of 9th International Conference on Environmental Engineering. Gediminas Technical University Press Technika.

Miller, S. Rowe, D, Mandal, A. and Brown, L (2014) Wave-emplaced boulders: implications for development of "prime real estate" seafront, North Coast Jamaica. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 73:109–122.

Miller, S., France, D, (2013) A real-time emergency response scenario using Web 2.0 (Yammer) technology. Planet, 27(2), pp. 21-29 

Cobbing, P. and Miller, S. (2012) Property level protect and Insurance: Report flood impact in the UK, the role of Property Level Protection (PLP) increasing resilience and Insurers attitude towards PLP. Defra report.

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2012) Landslide susceptibility mapping in North-East Wales. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk Volume 3, Issue 2 p. 133-159

Miller, S. and France, D. (2012) Web 2.0 technology in hazard response simulation training. Proceedings, RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2012. http://conference.rgs.org/conference/sessions/View.aspx?heading=Y&session=25f19ffa-e7e1-422b-a9b6-e884397c39a6

Miller, S. and France, D. (2012) Developing a Web 2.0 technology for hazard response simulation . Proceedings, STEM Annual conference. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/stem-conference/GEES/Servel_Miller_Derek_France.pdf

Miller, S. (2011) April 2010 UK Airspace closure: Experience and impact on the UK's air-travelling public and implications for future travel. Journal of Air Transport Management, vol. 17 (5), pp. 296-301.

Miller, S., Brewer, T., and Harris, N. (2009) Rainfall Thresholding and Susceptibility assessment of rainfall induced landslides: application to landslide management in St Thomas, Jamaica. Bulletin of Engineering Geology, vol. 68, pp.539-550.

Borland, J., Griffiths, A., Rees, O., Collins, S., Dahiya, G., James, S., Kadanchirayil, A., Miller, S. and Pritchard-Jones, J. (2009) Responding to Discrimination: The Geography and Geometry of Advice Provision in England, Scotland and Wales. Report Prepared for Equality & Human Rights Commission.

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2008) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Applied to Landslide Hazard Mapping and Evaluation in North-East Wales. Conference proceedings, International Congress of GIS (ICGIS) 2008, Istanbul Turkey.

Miller, S., Harris, N., William S. and Bhalai, S. (2007) Landslide Susceptibility Assessment for St. Thomas, Jamaica, using Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing methods. In: TEEUW, R. M. (ed.) Mapping Hazardous Terrain using Remote Sensing. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, vol. 283, pp. 77-91.

Miller, S., and Degg, M. (2007) A Preliminary Evaluation of Tsunami Hazard and Risk in the Caribbean and Jamaica, Using GIS. Transactions of the 17th Caribbean Geological Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Conference Contributions

Miller, S. Leszczyńska, M., (2014) Evaluation of the use high resolution satellite imagery to map slope instability in a tropical environment: St. Thomas, Jamaica.  9th International Conference on Environmental Engineering. Gediminas Technical University . Vilnus. 

Miller, S. and France, D. (2012) Web 2.0 technology in hazard response simulation training. RGS-IBG Annual International Conference, Edinburgh. http://conference.rgs.org/conference/sessions/View.aspx?heading=Y&session=25f19ffa-e7e1-422b-a9b6-e884397c39a6

Miller, S. and France, D. (2012) Developing a Web 2.0 technology for hazard response simulation.  STEM Annual conference (2012). http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/stem-conference/GEES/Servel_Miller_Derek_France.pdf

France, D. and Miller, S. (2011) Simulating an Emergency Response Scenario using YAMMER a Web 2.0 technolog. Institute of Natural Resources held 1/8/2011-1/8/2011 at Massey University, New Zealand.

France, D. and Miller, S. (2011) Simulating an Emergency Response Scenario using YAMMER a Web 2.0 technology. Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers held 12/4/2011-16/4/2011 at Seattle, Washington.

France, D. and Miller, S. (2010) Use of Yammer (web 2.0 application) for a hazard management simulation. GEES Subject Centre 10th Anniversary Conference - GEES Learning and Teaching to 2020, University of Plymouth 7-9th July 2010.

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2009) GIS Applied to Landslide Hazard Mapping and evaluation in North-East Wales' EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.

Miller, S. and Harris, N. (2009) Rainfall Thresholding and Susceptibility assessment of rainfall induced landslides: application to landslide management in St Thomas. EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2008) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Applied to Landslide Hazard Mapping and Evaluation in North-East Wales. International Congress of GIS (ICGIS) Istanbul, Turkey.

Rowe, D., France, D., Degg, M. and Miller, S. (2008) Tsunami Hazard Maps for the South-West Coast of Jamaica. 2nd International Tsunami Field Symposium in Puglia, Italy and the Ionian Islands, Greece.

Rowe, D. and Miller, S. (2007) Tsunami Hazard Mapping for the Southwest Coast of Jamaica. House of Commons SET for Britain, Westminster.

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2005) A Preliminary Evaluation of Tsunami Hazard and Risk in the Caribbean and Jamaica, Using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Geological Society of Jamaica, 50th Anniversary Conference, Kingston Jamaica.

Miller, S. (2005) Comparative Analysis of GIS Techniques used for Landslide Susceptibility Assessment for St. Thomas, Jamaica. Geological Society of Jamaica, 50th Anniversary Conference, Kingston Jamaica.

Miller, S. (2005) GIS and Landslide Hazard Mapping in St. Thomas Jamaica. 17th Caribbean Geological Conference, San Juan Puerto Rico.

Miller, S. and Degg, M. (2004) Landslide Hazard Mapping In North-East Wales. International Geographical Congress, Glasgow.

Miller, S. and Harris, N. (2004) GIS and Landslide Hazard Mapping in North-East Wales. RGS conference: Remote Sensing Applications in Hazardous Terrain, London.

Qualifications

PhD (Liverpool), MSc (Cranfield), PGDip (ITC Netherlands), PgCert (Chester), BSc (University of the West Indies). 

Professional Affiliations

Chartered Geographer (GIS) Royal Geographical Society

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy