Peter Knight

Biography

I studied Geography at the Universities of Oxford (BA Hons, 1980-1983) and Aberdeen (PhD, 1984-1987) before coming to Keele as a lecturer in 1987. I have won Keele’s Individual and Team Awards for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, and have been made a National Teaching Fellow by the Higher Education Academy.

Research and scholarship

I am a Geographer with a particular interest in Glaciology and Geomorphology, and since 1984 I have combined field research in areas such as Greenland and Iceland with experimental work in the low-temperature laboratory. My work focuses on how glaciers entrain debris into their basal layers and how that “basal ice” affects glacier behaviour and glacial landforms. The work has received funding from The Royal Society, The Leverhulme Trust and the Natural Environment Research Council, and has been published in major international journals including Nature, Quaternary Science Reviews, The Journal of Glaciology and Geology.

I have written textbooks for both undergraduate and A-level students, contributed chapters to several Earth Science encyclopaedias, and edited a major research volume called “Glacier Science and Environmental Change”. As a Geographer I am particularly interested in evidence that can be drawn from the spatial distributions of phenomena to help us understand the world around us, and in the complex links that bind together different aspects of our physical environment.

I am also interested in relationships between the physical environment and cultural media such as film, music and literature, and in exploring the boundaries between art and science in Geography.

Teaching

LEVEL 4

ESC-10035 Geographical Skills
ESC-10039 Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Module Leader)
ESC-10038 The Practice of Physical Geography (Module Leader)
ESC-10041 People and the Environment (Module Leader)

Level 5

ESC-20049/50 Dynamic Geographies - Representing the World
ESC-20049/50 Dynamic Geographies - Case-study Essay (unit leader)
ESC-20029 Practical Physical Geography
ESC-20030 Regional Landsystems
GEG-20009 Geographical Research Training

Level 6

ESC-30006 Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology (Module Leader)
GEG-30006 Geography Double Dissertation
GEG-30008 Geography Single Dissertation
GEG-30014 Inspirational Landscapes (Module Leader).

Key publications:

Cook S, Swift D, Kirkbride M, Knight PG, Waller R. 2020. The empirical basis for modelling glacial erosion rates. Nature Communications.
Knight PG. 2019. Glacier Nature and Culture. Reaktion Books.
Parsons T and Knight PG. 2015. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines (3rd ed). Routledge.
Knight PG. 2011. Glaciology. Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers. Singh P and Haritashya UK (Eds.). Springer Verlag.
Knight PG. 2009. Glacier Science and Environmental Change. Wiley-Blackwell.
Knight PG. 1999. Glaciers. Routledge.

Selected Publications

Cook SJ, Swift DA, Kirkbride MP, Knight PG, Waller RI. 2020. The empirical basis for modelling glacial erosion rates. Nat Commun, vol. 11(1), 759. link> doi> full text>
Knight PG. 2019. Glacier Nature and Culture. Reaktion Books.
Parsons T and Knight PG. 2015. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines (3rd ed). (12 vols.). Routledge.
Knight PG. 2011. Glaciology. In Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers. Singh P and Haritashya UK (Eds.). Springer Verlag.
Knight PG. 2009. Glacier Science and Environmental Change. Wiley-Blackwell.

Full Publications List show

Books

Knight PG. 2019. Glacier Nature and Culture. Reaktion Books.
Parsons T and Knight PG. 2015. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines (3rd ed). (12 vols.). Routledge.
Knight PG. 2009. Glacier Science and Environmental Change. Wiley-Blackwell.
Knight PG. 2006. Glacier science and environmental change. Wiley-Blackwell.
Knight PG. 2006. Glaciers and glacial landscapes.
Parsons AJ and Knight PG. 2005. How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines.
Knight PG & Parsons AJ. 2003. How to do Your Essays, Exams and Coursework in Geography and Related Disciplines. Routledge, London.
Knight PG. 1999. Glaciers. Routledge.

Journal Articles

Shiggins CJ, Harris MRP, Knight PG, Fogwill CJ. 2020. Micro-Scale isotopic analysis of ice facies frozen from supercooled water. GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A-PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 102(2), 104-117. link> doi> full text>
Cook SJ, Swift DA, Kirkbride MP, Knight PG, Waller RI. 2020. The empirical basis for modelling glacial erosion rates. Nat Commun, vol. 11(1), 759. link> doi> full text>
Wainwright J, Parsons AJ, Cooper JR, Gao P, Gillies JA, Mao L, Orford JD, Knight PG. 2015. The concept of transport capacity in geomorphology. REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS, vol. 53(4), 1155-1202. link> doi> full text>
Cook SJ, Knight PG, Knight DA, Waller RI. 2012. Laboratory observations of sediment entrainment by freezing supercooled water. Geografiska Annaler. Series A. Physical Geography. doi>
Waller RI and Knight PG. 2011. Overcoming the barriers to the use of journal articles within the geosciences. Planet, vol. 25, 27-32.
Cook SJ, Robinson ZP, Fairchild IJ, Knight PG, Waller RI, Boomer I. 2010. Role of glaciohydraulic supercooling in the formation of stratified facies basal ice: Svinafellsjokull and Skaftafellsjokull, southeast Iceland. BOREAS, vol. 39(1), 24-38. link> doi>
Cook SJ and Knight PG. 2009. Glaciohydraulic supercooling. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 33(5), 705-710. link> doi>
Parkes AA, Waller RI, Knight PG, Stimpson IG, Schofield DI, Mason KT. 2009. A morphological, sedimentological and geophysical investigation of the Woore Moraine, Shropshire, England. PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION, vol. 120, 233-244. link> doi>
Knight PG and Cook SJ. 2008. Glaciohydraulic supercooling. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT, vol. 32(1), 65-71. link> doi>
Cook SJ, Knight PG, Waller RI, Robinson ZP, Adam WG. 2007. The geography of basal ice and its relationship to glaciohydraulic supercooling: Svinafellsjokull, southeast Iceland. QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS, vol. 26(19-21), 2309-2315. link> doi>
Knight PG, Jennings CE, Waller RI, Robinson ZP. 2007. Changes in ice-margin processes and sediment routing during ice-sheet advance across a marginal moraine. GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A-PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 89A(3), 203-215. link> doi>
Knight PG. 2007. Physical geography: Learning and teaching in a discipline so dynamic that textbooks can't keep up!. GEOGRAPHY, vol. 92, 57-61. link>
Cook SJ, Waller RI, Knight PG. 2006. Glaciohydraulic supercooling: the process and its significance. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 30(5), 577-588. link> doi>
Knight PG and Knight DA. 2005. Laboratory observations of debris-bearing ice facies frozen from supercooled water. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 51(173), 337-339. link> doi>
Knight PG. 2004. Glaciers: art and history, science and uncertainty. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews., vol. 29(4), 385-393. doi>
Knight PG. 2003. Classics in physical geography revisited - Kamb, B. and LaChapelle, E. 1964: Direct observation of the mechanism of glacier sliding over bedrock. Journal of Glaciology, vol 5 (38), pg 159-72. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 27(1), 107-111. link> doi>
Knight PG. 2003. Book review: Nakawo M and others (Eds.), Debris covered glaciers. Progress in Physical Geography., vol. 27(1), 147-148.
Knight PG. 2003. Classics in physical geography revisited - Kamb, B. and La Chapelle, E. 1964: Direct observation of the mechanism of glacier sliding over bedrock. Progress in Physical Geography., vol. 27(1), 107-111.
Adam WG & Knight PG. 2003. Identification of basal ice layer debris in ice-marginal moraines, Russell Glacier, West Greenland. Quaternary Science Reviews.. doi>
Knight PG, Waller RI, Patterson CJ, Jones AP & Robinson ZP. 2002. Discharge of debris from ice at the margin of the Greenland ice sheet. Journal of Glaciology., vol. 48(161), 192-198. doi>
Knight PG. 2001. Book review: Deformation of glacial materials. Journal of Glaciology., vol. 47(156), 163-164.
Russell A J and Knight P G & Van Dijk T A G P. 2001. Glacier surging as a control on the development of proglacial, fluvial landforms and deposits, Skeidararsandur, Iceland. Global and Planetary Change. doi>
Knight PG, Patterson CJ, Waller RI, Jones AP, Robinson ZP. 2000. Preservation of basal-ice sediment texture in ice-sheet moraines. QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS, vol. 19(13), 1255-1258. link> doi>
Waller RI, Hart JK, Knight PG. 2000. The influence of tectonic deformation on facies variability in stratified debris-rich basal ice. QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS, vol. 19(8), 775-786. link> doi>
Knight PG, Waller RI, Patterson CJ, Jones AP, Robinson ZP. 2000. Glacier advance, ice-marginal lakes and routing of meltwater and sediment: Russell Glacier, Greenland. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 46(154), 423-426. link> doi>
Knight PG. 1998. Glaciers. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 22(3), 407-411. link>
Knight PG. 1997. Glaciers. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 21(3), 434-439. link> doi>
Knight PG. 1997. The basal ice layer of glaciers and ice sheets. QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS, vol. 16(9), 975-993. link> doi>
Knight PG. 1996. Glaciers. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 20(3), 345-350. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1995. GLACIERS. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 19(2), 249-254. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1995. DEBRIS STRUCTURES IN BASAL ICE EXPOSED AT THE MARGIN OF THE GREENLAND ICE-SHEET. BOREAS, vol. 24(1), 11-12. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1994. 2-FACIES INTERPRETATION OF THE BASAL LAYER OF THE GREENLAND ICE-SHEET CONTRIBUTES TO A UNIFIED MODEL OF BASAL ICE FORMATION. GEOLOGY, vol. 22(11), 971-974. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG and KNIGHT DA. 1994. GLACIER SLIDING, REGELATION WATER-FLOW AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASAL ICE. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 40(136), 600-601. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG, SUGDEN DE, MINTY CD. 1994. ICE FLOW AROUND LARGE OBSTACLES AS INDICATED BY BASAL ICE EXPOSED AT THE MARGIN OF THE GREENLAND ICE-SHEET. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 40(135), 359-367. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1993. THE GEOGRAPHY OF FIELD-RESEARCH IN ICELAND. SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE, vol. 109(3), 180-186. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1993. GLACIERS. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 17(3), 349-353. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1993. GLACIAL DEPOSITS IN GREAT-BRITAIN AND IRELAND - EHLERS,J, GIBBARD,PL, ROSE,J. TRANSACTIONS OF THE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH GEOGRAPHERS, vol. 18(3), 404-405. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG and RUSSELL AJ. 1993. Most recent observations of the drainage of an ice-dammed lake at Russell Glacier, West Greenland, and a new hypothesis regarding mechanisms of drainage initiation. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 39(133), 701-703. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1992. GLACIERS. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 16(1), 85-89. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1992. ICE DEFORMATION VERY CLOSE TO THE ICE-SHEET MARGIN IN WEST GREENLAND. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 38(128), 3-8. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG and TWEED FS. 1991. PERIODIC DRAINAGE OF ICE-DAMMED LAKES AS A RESULT OF VARIATIONS IN GLACIER VELOCITY. HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, vol. 5(2), 175-184. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG and PARSONS AJ. 1990. CRISIS IN EDUCATION. NATURE, vol. 346(6282), 310. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1989. STACKING OF BASAL DEBRIS LAYERS WITHOUT BULK FREEZING-ON - ISOTOPIC EVIDENCE FROM WEST GREENLAND. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 35(120), 214-216. link> doi>
KNIGHT PG. 1988. TEACHING AND RESEARCH - REPLY. AREA, vol. 20(3), 283-284. link>
KNIGHT PG. 1988. THE BASAL ICE AND DEBRIS SEQUENCE AT THE MARGIN OF AN EQUATORIAL ICE - CAP - EL-COTOPAXI, ECUADOR. GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A-PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, vol. 70(1-2), 9-13. link> doi>
SUGDEN DE, CLAPPERTON CM, GEMMELL JC, KNIGHT PG. 1987. STABLE ISOTOPES AND DEBRIS IN BASAL GLACIER ICE, SOUTH-GEORGIA, SOUTHERN-OCEAN. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY, vol. 33(115), 324-329. link> doi>
Sugden DE, Clapperton CM, Knight PG. 1985. A Jökulhlaup Near Søndre Strømfjord, West GreenLand, and Some Effects on the Ice-Sheet Margin. Journal of Glaciology, vol. 31(109), 366-368. doi>

Chapters

Knight PG. 2011. Glaciology. In Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers. Singh P and Haritashya UK (Eds.). Springer Verlag.
Waller RI, Murton JB, Knight PG. 2009. Basal glacier ice and massive ground ice: different scientists, same science?. In Periglacial and paraglacial processes and environments. Knight J and Harrison S (Eds.). (vol. 320). Geological Society Pub House. doi>
Knight PG. 2009. Multiple Entries including "Basal Ice", "Eskers" and Kames". In Encyclopedia of paleoclimatology and ancient environments. Gornitz V (Ed.). Springer Verlag.

Other

Knight PG and Patterson CJ & Waller RI. 2001. Changes in sediment routing as a consequence of ice-sheet advance, Russell Glacier, Greenland. EOS (Transactions of the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting)..