Newcastle University

Research Interests

hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, environmental management, nature conservation (principally river ecosystems, including wetlands).

Malcolm Newson is professor of physical geography. His research interests include the fields of fluvial geomorphology (bedload transport, channel habitat) and environmental management (river catchment plans).

Current Work

Reports/papers on geomorphological survey techniques, siltation, wetland hydrology, catchment response to land-use change.
Third Edition of Routledge text 'Land, Water and Development' (1992, 1997) due for delivery January 2008.

Future Research

Further development of 'physical biotopes' approach to river habitats.

Research Roles

Regular reviewer of national/international research proposals, research posts and journal articles.

Postgraduate Supervision

River dynamics: historical development and bed material transport.
Sustainable river basin strategy and operations.

Projects

• River Habitat Survey Framework
  Project Leader(s): Professor Malcolm Newson

Undergraduate Teaching

GEO105: Environmental Issues
GEO203: Geomorphological Techniques
GEO230: Land, Water and Development

• Sear DA, Newson MD. The hydraulic impact and performance of a lowland rehabilitation scheme based on pool-riffle installation: The River Waveney, Scole, Suffolk, UK. River Research and Applications 2004, 20(7), 847-863.
• Sear DA, Newson MD. Fluvial processes and patterns: geomorphological guidance for sustainable river restoration. Proc. 'Restoration 2000': International Conference, University of Wageningen 2001.
• Newson MD. Gravel-bed rivers: science and sustainable management: conference opener. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Gravel-bed Rivers Workshop. 2001, Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Sear D, Newson MD, Johnson S. Hydraulic analysis of gravel-bedform rehabilitation in a lowland river: the River Waveney, Scole, Suffolk. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 2001.
• Newson M, Baker A, Mounsey S. The potential role of freshwater luminescence measurements in exploring runoff pathways in upland catchments. Hydrological Processes 2001, 15(6), 989-1002.
• Newson MD, Newson CL. Geomorphology, ecology and river channel habitat: Mesoscale approaches to basin-scale challenges. Progress in Physical Geography 2000, 24(2), 195-217.
• Newson MD. Science and sustainability: addressing the world water 'crisis'. Progress in Environmental Science 2000, 2(3), 204-228.
• Newson MD, Thorne CR, Brookes A. The management of gravel-bed rivers in England and Wales; from geomorphological research to strategy and operations. In: Vth International Gravel Bed Rivers Workshop. 2000, Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Harper DM, Kemp J, Vogel B, Newson MD. Towards the assessment of 'ecological integrity' in running waters of the United Kingdom. In: Jungwirth, M;Muhar, S;Schmutz, S, ed. Assessing the Ecological Integrity of Running Waters (International conference) (1998 Nov. : Vienna). Dordrecht: Kluwer, 2000, pp.133-142.
• Harper DM, Kemp JL, Vogel' B, Newson MD. Towards the assessment of 'ecological integrity' in running waters of the United Kingdom. Hydrobiologia 2000, 422-423, 133-142.
• Macklin MG, Passmore DG, Newson MD. Controls of short and long term river instability: processes and patterns in gravel-beds rivers, the Tyne basin, northern England. In: 4th International Gravel Bed Rivers Conference. 1999, Washington State.
• Newson M. Landform monitoring, modelling and analysis. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 1999, 24(2), 253-254.
• Newson MD, Gardiner J, Slater S. River catchment planning. In: Law, F., Acreman, M, ed. The Hydrology of the UK: A Study of Change. London, UK: Routledge, 1999, pp.315-344.