Dr Andrew Phillips

Andrew teaches students in geospatial technologies, specialising in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and how this can be used to explore, analyse and visualise a diverse range of geographic data and issues.

Andrew was first introduced to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) while studying for his undergraduate degree in Environmental Geosciences. GIS has been the connecting factor in his academic and professional career since. His PhD made use of the early releases of NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model data to explore and develop geomorphometric measures of land forms from around the globe which linked to the processes that formed them. He then took a break from academia, working as a GIS Analyst for a regional Transport Executive, before returning to academia initially as a researcher exploring and modelling diffuse water quality pollution at catchment scale and then later exploring issues related to urban planning and management. Alongside this research Andrew began teaching GIS to lifelong learners and Urban Studies undergraduates at the University of Sheffield. He then transitioned into a teaching focussed career path by taking a role as a Teaching Associate in the Department of Geography at the same institution and found himself teaching the same module which inspired him to explore GIS further.

In 2016, Andrew made the move to the University of Southampton, initially as a Teaching Fellow and then subsequently as Senior Teaching Fellow in Environmental GIS. He enjoys the opportunity to work with a wide range of colleagues within geospatial (and other) disciplines and being able to teach students from several different schools at the University. Andrew has Advance HE Senior Fellowship and the experience of applying for this has led him to becoming increasingly interested in pedagogic practice. He works closely with PhD students who demonstrate in the school so they are able to gain professional recognition (via their own Fellowship from Advance HE) for their contributions to University education and teaching. He is also passionate about student support, both academic and pastoral, and is the Senior Tutor for the School of Geography and Environmental Science.